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Bechoros 2b

בכורות ב׳ ע״ב

Bekhorot 2b

Learn Bechoros 2b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Bechoros 2b in Gemara Clarity

Topic

Selling an unborn animal, or only the rights to an animal's fetuses, to a non-Jew

Overview

The גמרא asks whether רבי יהודה forbids selling an unborn animal (עובר) to a non-Jew, just as he forbids selling a large working animal. A ברייתא about a man fined for handing an animal to a non-Jew is pushed off: the fine is really about the mother animal. רב אשי then proves it from רבי יהודה's own reason. He allows selling a broken animal (שבורה) only because it can never heal and work. A fetus will work one day, so it is forbidden. A second version attaches this whole discussion to our משנה and reaches the same result. Next the גמרא asks a new question: may a Jew sell a non-Jew only the rights to an animal's fetuses? It works this out according to both רבי יהודה and the רבנן. A proof from the wording of our משנה is rejected. The amud ends by quoting a ברייתא of רבי יהודה and the חכמים about giving an animal to a non-Jew to raise, and the proof from it continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

מַאי לָאו אַעוּבָּר?

What, is it not referring to the fetus?

לָא, אַבְּהֵמָה.

No, it is referring to the animal.

וְהָא ״דָּמָיו״ קָתָנֵי!

But doesn't it teach 'its value' (masculine)!

תְּנִי ״דָּמֶיהָ״.

Teach: 'its value' (feminine).

The steps (36)

  1. ProofTrying to read the ברייתא as talking about the fetus
  2. RejectionNo, the ברייתא is about the mother animal
  3. ChallengeBut the ברייתא says 'its value' in the masculine
  4. ResolutionChange the wording to 'its value' in the feminine
  5. ChallengeBut the money goes to the כהן
  6. ResolutionA pregnant animal given out for fattening
  7. Proofרב אשי's proof from the broken animal
  8. ConclusionConclusion: a fetus is forbidden
  9. StatementA second version, attached to our משנה
  10. ChallengeDoes our משנה disagree with רבי יהודה?
  11. ResolutionOur משנה can follow רבי יהודה: a fetus is in its normal state
  12. ProofAttempted proof from a ברייתא about giving an animal to a non-Jew
  13. RejectionNo, the prohibition is about the mother animal
  14. ChallengeBut the ברייתא says 'its value' in the masculine
  15. ResolutionChange the reading to the feminine 'its value'
  16. ChallengeBut why would the money go to the כהן?
  17. ResolutionA pregnant animal given to fatten: the fine extends to the fetus
  18. Proofרב אשי proves it from רבי יהודה's reason
  19. ConclusionConclusion: רבי יהודה forbids selling a fetus
  20. QuestionNew question: selling an animal only for its fetuses
  21. Questionרבי יהודה's side: maybe forbidden because of confusion
  22. Questionרבי יהודה's side: maybe permitted all the more
  23. QuestionThe רבנן's side: maybe permitted because the animal stays with the Jew
  24. QuestionMaybe the רבנן would forbid it even more
  25. ChallengeA ברייתא suggests the רבנן's reason is the offspring
  26. ResolutionThe offspring point was aimed at רבי יהודה's logic
  27. ResolutionThe broken animal is kept alive, not slaughtered
  28. Resolutionרבי יהודה's reply: a broken animal won't give birth
  29. ProofProof from the משנה: receivership has no 'not permitted'
  30. RejectionBut partnership also lacks the warning, and it is forbidden
  31. ResolutionThe warning on selling covers the other cases too
  32. QuestionWhy did the משנה put the warning on selling?
  33. ResponseSelling is the main case
  34. ProofA new proof begins: רבי יהודה on a Jew who receives an animal from a non-Jew
  35. ProofThe key line: giving an animal to a non-Jew to raise is not permitted and is fined
  36. StatementThe חכמים: any non-Jewish share in the animal exempts it from בכורה