Bechoros 6a

בכורות ו׳ ע״א

Bekhorot 6a

Learn Bechoros 6a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

Which animals have בכור status, mixed-species births, and following the mother's status

Overview

The גמרא proves that among non-kosher animals, only a donkey has בכור status, not a horse or a camel. The first proof comes from the Torah writing ״פטר חמור״ twice. רב אחאי challenges it, and the גמרא defends it from the repeated word ״פטר״. Our משנה's תנא uses that repetition for something else, so רב פפא gives him a different source: a כלל ופרט in the verse. רבי יוסי הגלילי and the רבנן then argue over whether the donkey belongs in that list, based on the words ״ופטר״ and the letter ו׳. Next, the גמרא asks a ladder of questions about a mother that gives birth to an animal that looks like another species but has some of its mother's features. Two ברייתות show that a cow's donkey-like calf with some of the mother's features is a בכור, but the horse cases are not proven. Finally, the גמרא explains that for eating, an animal's status follows its mother, not its own looks. It begins bringing a verse for this rule, and the discussion continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (26)

1. ProofThe double phrase limits firstborn status to donkeys
2. Challengeרב אחאי explains why a second verse is needed anyway
3. ChallengeMaybe horses and camels are excluded only from lamb redemption
4. ResolutionThe repeated word firstborn proves the limit is on firstborn status
5. QuestionWhere does our משנה's תנא learn to exclude horses and camels?
6. Responseרב פפא: a general phrase followed by a list limits it to the list
7. Resolutionרבי יוסי הגלילי: the word 'firstborn' cuts the donkey off from the list
8. ResolutionThe רבנן: the letter ו׳ joins the donkey back in
9. Rejectionרבי יוסי הגלילי: if the donkey were in the list, both words would be unnecessary
10. ResolutionThe רבנן explain why the Torah separates the donkey and then reconnects it
11. QuestionA cow gives birth to a donkey-like calf with some of the cow's features
12. QuestionThe known case: a goat and a sheep are close enough
13. QuestionCow and donkey: too different, or both still firstborn animals?
14. QuestionWhat if a donkey gives birth to a horse-like foal?
15. QuestionWhat if a cow gives birth to a horse-like calf?
16. ProofProof attempt from a general ברייתא about kosher animals
17. RejectionThe ברייתא means a donkey-like calf
18. ProofProof attempt from a ברייתא that lists two cases
19. RejectionThe features rule only goes on the cow case
20. ChallengeWhy list the donkey with a horse-like foal at all?
21. ResolutionNeeded because the foal might seem to be just a red donkey
22. QuestionWhy does the משנה add 'because that which emerges'?
23. ResponseThe added reason is only a memory aid: follow the mother
24. QuestionAsking for the source of the rule
25. ResponseThe verse teaches a kosher-looking animal from a non-kosher mother is forbidden
26. ChallengeMaybe the verse means a non-kosher-looking animal from a kosher mother