Bechoros 61a

בכורות ס״א ע״א

Bekhorot 61a

Learn Bechoros 61a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

The mixed-up tenth and eleventh animal in מעשר בהמה, and an agent who mislabels the tithe animal

Overview

The גמרא resolves two ברייתות about a mixed-up tenth and eleventh animal in מעשר בהמה. The 'sacrifice both' ruling follows רבי שמעון, who allows bringing קדשים into a situation where they might become disqualified. The 'both die' ruling is first assigned to רבי יהודה, who calls a mistaken מעשר a תמורה. Our משנה, a ברייתא and an unattributed ספרא all show that רבי יהודה holds the eleventh animal is offered as a שלמים, so that assignment fails. Instead, רבי שמעון ברבי אבא explains that the 'both die' ברייתא is about מעשר nowadays: the animals cannot be offered, so they are left to die out of concern for a תקלה, even when two animals mean a bigger loss. Next, רב פפי and רב פפא disagree about an agent who calls the ninth animal 'tenth'. רב פפא says it is not holy, because the owner sent him to help, not to harm. The גמרא distinguishes this from an agent who gives more or less תרומה, which is a reasonable estimate and not a mistake. The amud closes with the הדרן for פרק מעשר בהמה and the completion of מסכת בכורות.

Opening lines

The steps (15)

1. ResolutionThe ruling 'sacrifice both' follows רבי שמעון
2. ResolutionThe ruling 'both must die' follows רבי יהודה
3. ChallengeChallenge: the משנה implies רבי יהודה holds the eleventh is sacrificed
4. ResolutionSuggested deflection: רבי מאיר spoke from his own view
5. RejectionA ברייתא shows רבי יהודה himself holds the eleventh is offered
6. ProofA second proof from the ספרא that the eleventh animal is offered
7. ProofThe ספרא follows רבי יהודה, so he holds the eleventh is offered
8. ResolutionThe 'both die' ברייתא is about tithe in present times
9. ChallengeWhy does the ברייתא mention two animals?
10. ResolutionTwo animals teach a bigger point than one
11. StatementAn agent who calls the wrong animal 'tenth': רב פפי's view
12. Statementרב פפא: The agent was sent to help, not to harm
13. ChallengeChallenge from the agent who separates תרומה
14. ResolutionGuessing the owner's generosity versus making a counting mistake
15. ConclusionHadran — Closing פרק מעשר בהמה and מסכת בכורות