Bechoros 39b

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Bekhorot 39b

Learn Bechoros 39b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Bechoros 39b in Gemara Clarity

Topic

Whether a defect after שחיטה disqualifies a קרבן, the dispute over blemishes of the testicles, and a new משנה on blemishes of the pouch and tail.

Overview

The amud opens by finishing a question about an animal missing a part. The גמרא decides that a defect before קבלה disqualifies a קרבן, but a defect after קבלה does not. It reads the ברייתא about the קרבן פסח as requiring only the age rule all the way to זריקה, and it supports this with רבי יהושע's כזית rule. From that ברייתא, רבא learns that age for קדשים is counted to the exact hour. Next the גמרא suggests that the question of an internal lack is a dispute of תנאים about bruised, crushed, torn and cut testicles. רבי יוסי's split view rules that out, so the גמרא explains the dispute as being about visible blemishes. A new משנה then lists blemishes of the pouch, a female's genitals and the tail. The גמרא limits the pouch blemish to damage, not full removal, because a removed pouch can grow back. Finally it defines the 'fingerbreadth' as a quarter of a טפח. רבה says this measure was taught for ציצית, and רב הונא בריה דרב יהושע begins a different answer that continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (24)

1. ChallengeA blemish after slaughter but before collecting the blood disqualifies
2. ResolutionThe new line: before or after collecting the blood
3. ChallengeA ברייתא says the offering must stay perfect until the blood is sprinkled
4. ResolutionOnly the age requirement lasts until sprinkling
5. ProofSupport from רבי יהושע: blood is thrown if a כזית remains
6. ChallengeHow can an animal turn two years old between slaughter and collecting the blood?
7. Resolutionרבא: age for sacrifices is counted down to the hour
8. StatementSuggesting the internal-lack question is a dispute of תנאים
9. ChallengeOnly the testicles and not the גיד?
10. ResolutionCorrecting רבי יהודה's words to 'also in the testicles'
11. StatementThe other opinions: רבי אליעזר בן יעקב and רבי יוסי
12. ProofIs the dispute about whether an internal lack counts as a lack?
13. Rejectionרבי יוסי's view does not fit the suggested argument
14. ResolutionNew explanation: they argue about visible blemishes
15. Conclusionרבי יוסי's middle view explained
16. StatementNew משנה: blemishes of the pouch, genitals, and tail
17. Statementרבי אלעזר limits the pouch blemish
18. ProofA ברייתא says the same thing
19. ProofA pouch torn off by a wolf grew back
20. StatementHow big is a fingerbreadth?
21. QuestionWhich law was this measure taught for?
22. Responseרבה: it was taught for the strings of ציצית
23. ProofThe ציצית ברייתא uses the same measure
24. ResponseA second answer: the two measuring cubits