Bechoros 44a

בכורות מ״ד ע״א

Bekhorot 44a

Learn Bechoros 44a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

Eye blemishes of a כהן, blemishes of proportion, and unusual or missing horns in animals

Overview

This amud finishes the list of eye blemishes that disqualify a כהן. The גמרא explains that 'both eyes above / below' means where the eyes sit on the face, not where he looks. It learns all eye defects from the extra word 'בעינו' in the פסוק. רבא then shows that each of the five eye words in the פסוק (איש, עור, דק, תבלול, בעינו) adds its own kind of blemish. Next the גמרא explains several hard terms from the משנה and settles a clash about missing eyelashes: if the roots remain, the problem is only how it looks. A new משנה lists blemishes of proportion, ears, lips and teeth, and רב teaches that משה was ten אמות tall without being a בעל מום. The amud ends with animals: features that only look like blemishes, and the difference between horns and hooves that are cut or uprooted.

Opening lines

The steps (37)

1. ConclusionClosing the חרום discussion: the eye-painting test is not required
2. QuestionWhat does 'both eyes above / below' mean?
3. ChallengeIf it means where he looks, it repeats a later case
4. ResolutionIt means where the eyes physically sit
5. QuestionWhat is the source for these eye blemishes?
6. ResponseThe extra word 'בעינו' includes every eye blemish
7. StatementBlind in one eye counts, and 'man' adds pale spots and tears
8. QuestionWhy does the תורה need five eye words?
9. Response'Blind' alone would not cover an eye that is still there
10. Response'Man' alone would not cover weak sight
11. Response'Cataract' alone would not cover mixed-up eyes
12. Response'תבלול' alone would not cover eyes that just look different
13. Conclusionרבא sums up which word teaches which eye blemish
14. Statementרב יוסף reads סכי שמש as 'sun haters'
15. Statementרב הונא shows what זגדיין means
16. ChallengeA ברייתא says זגדום is about eyebrows
17. ResolutionAny mismatched pair is called זגדום
18. StatementA ברייתא defines הצירן
19. StatementA ברייתא lists three more eye blemishes
20. ChallengeBut missing eyelashes is only about appearance
21. ResolutionIt depends on whether the roots remain
22. Statementמשנה: eyes, body and nose out of proportion
23. Statementמשנה: ears, lips and missing teeth
24. Statementרב: משה רבינו was ten אמות tall
25. ChallengeThat would make משה a בעל מום
26. Resolutionרב meant the holy אמה, not משה's own arm
27. StatementHow big is too big for a nose
28. StatementA third ear blemish is added
29. QuestionThe Sages did not know the word
30. ResponseAn Arab merchant reveals the meaning
31. StatementA hornless goat and a horned ewe are still fit
32. ProofA ברייתא supports רב חסדא
33. StatementRemoved horns versus removed hooves
34. ChallengeA ברייתא says horns also allow redemption
35. ResolutionUprooted versus cut
36. ChallengeDoes cutting even disqualify? The black horns of the פרה אדומה
37. Resolutionזעירי: the פרה is cut above the bone