Bechoros 31b

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Bekhorot 31b

Learn Bechoros 31b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Bechoros 31b in Gemara Clarity

Topic

Selling פסולי המוקדשין and מעשר בהמה: the הקדש's gain at פדיון, orphans' tithe, הבלעה, and quoting a teaching in its author's name

Overview

The משנה said that פסולי המוקדשין may be sold and slaughtered in the butcher market because 'their benefit goes to the הקדש.' The גמרא rules out a sale before פדיון, since a sanctified animal needs העמדה והערכה while alive. It concludes that the sale happens after פדיון. The הקדש gains because the owner, knowing he may sell the meat in the market, pays more to redeem it. Next the גמרא asks how a מעשר בהמה could be sold even at home, since a ברייתא says it is never sold. רב ששת answers that the משנה means orphans' מעשר בהמה, which the חכמים allowed to be sold to prevent their loss. A short story follows: רב ששת was upset when his teaching was repeated without his name, because a scholar's lips move in the grave when he is quoted. Back to the הלכה, אביי and רבא argue over the ברייתא about selling orphans' and adults' מעשר בהמה by הבלעה. רבא brings a פסוק showing that the ban on selling after שחיטה is only rabbinic.

Opening lines

The steps (27)

1. QuestionQuoting the משנה and asking when it applies
2. ChallengeIt cannot mean after redemption
3. ResponseSuggesting it means before redemption
4. ChallengeBefore redemption it cannot be slaughtered
5. ChallengeThe problem only works away for one opinion
6. ResolutionIt really is after redemption: the הקדש gains at the start
7. ResolutionMarket sale makes the owner pay more at redemption
8. ChallengeCan a tithe animal be sold even at home?
9. ProofA ברייתא says a tithe animal is never sold
10. Resolutionרב ששת: the tithe animal of orphans
11. Statementרב ששת's attendant repeats his teaching without credit
12. QuestionWhy did it matter to רב ששת?
13. ResponseDavid asked to be quoted in this world
14. ProofA scholar's lips move in the grave
15. ProofThe verse: lips moving like a pile of grapes
16. QuestionWhich ברייתא did רב ששת rely on?
17. ResponseThe ברייתא: orphans' tithe animal may be sold
18. QuestionWhat is the ברייתא really saying?
19. Responseאביי: orphans may sell it only by folding in the price
20. StatementSo an adult may not sell it even by folding in
21. ChallengeBut folding in is allowed for a לולב and אתרוג in שביעית
22. ResolutionWith the אתרוג the trick is hidden, with the meat it is obvious
23. Challengeרבא asks why the phrase appears twice
24. Responseרבא reads the ברייתא as two separate cases
25. Proofרבא brings a פסוק as his source
26. StatementSelling after slaughter is allowed by Torah law and banned by the Rabbis
27. StatementThe Rabbis' decree covers what is priced while alive