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Bechoros 45b

בכורות מ״ה ע״ב

Bekhorot 45b

Learn Bechoros 45b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

Which flaws disqualify a כהן but not an animal, and which disqualify an animal but not a כהן

Overview

This amud finishes the משנה's list of מומין and then starts two new משניות. First, רבי יצחק shows that רבי יהודה and the חכמים argue about extra fingers because they read one פסוק about a Philistine giant differently. רבה explains why each number in that פסוק is needed. After that, a story about רבי טרפון is told two different ways. The גמרא then explains the מחלוקת about a כהן who uses both hands. A new משנה lists conditions that disqualify a כהן but not an animal. The גמרא defines its words (כושי, גיחור, לבקן, קפח) and explains why a שכור fits in that list. The next משנה gives the reverse list: things that disqualify an animal but not a person. The גמרא explains how אותו ואת בנו fits this list, following חנניה. Finally, it asks how a כהן's vow to stay away from a forbidden wife can be kept from being released, and the answer continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

יָתֵר בְּיָדָיו וּבְרַגְלָיו.

[The Mishnah:] One with an extra [finger or toe] on his hands and on his feet.

אָמַר רַבִּי יִצְחָק:

Rabbi Yitzchak said:

וּשְׁנֵיהֶם מִקְרָא אֶחָד דָּרְשׁוּ,

And both of them learned from one verse,

וַתְּהִי עוֹד מִלְחָמָה,

'And there was again war,'

The steps (35)

  1. StatementBoth opinions on extra fingers come from one verse
  2. StatementIs the verse insulting the giant or praising him?
  3. QuestionWhy does the verse give so many numbers?
  4. ResponseEach number prevents a wrong reading
  5. StatementWhat the word 'in number' adds
  6. Proofרבי טרפון blessed a man with 24 fingers and toes
  7. Rejectionרבי יוסי: it was not a blessing at all
  8. StatementA ברייתא on left-handed and ambidextrous כהנים
  9. StatementDid the right hand get weaker, or the left get stronger?
  10. StatementThe משנה's list of conditions that disqualify a person but not an animal
  11. StatementTwo additional opinions in the משנה
  12. StatementFirst definition of the three color words
  13. ChallengeA story shows the related word means white
  14. ResolutionCorrected definitions: גיחור is red, לבקן is white
  15. Statementרב זביד defines קפח as very tall
  16. ChallengeHeight is praised in a verse
  17. ResolutionThe blemish is a tall, thin, ugly build
  18. Statementרֵישׁ לָקִישׁ: do not marry someone with the same extreme trait
  19. ChallengeWhy is a drunk priest in this list?
  20. ResolutionDrunk from something other than wine
  21. StatementThis answer disagrees with רבי יהודה
  22. StatementFlaws that disqualify an animal but not a person
  23. StatementPriests disqualified until they change their ways
  24. QuestionWhat does 'itself and its offspring' mean for people?
  25. ChallengeFirst try: אהרן and his sons — but the rule does not apply to males
  26. ChallengeSecond try: a mother goat — but there is no female כהן
  27. ResolutionBack to the first answer: אהרן and his sons
  28. ResolutionThe משנה follows חנניה, who applies the rule to males
  29. StatementA כהן in a forbidden marriage in the middle of the service
  30. ChallengeWhat if he gets a sage to cancel his vow?
  31. ResolutionHe must explain the vow, so no sage will release it
  32. ChallengeWhat about the view that he need not explain the vow?
  33. ResolutionThe vow is made in public
  34. ChallengeWhat about the view that a public vow can be released?
  35. ResolutionThe answer begins: we make him vow