Bekhorot 17
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Masechet Bekhorot is sponsored by Ahava Leibtag in loving memory of her father, Arthur Aaron, Asher ben Yaakov Yehuda v’Esther on his first yahrzeit. “You always said Talmud Torah was the best s’char. This one’s for you, Daddy.”
Bekhorot 17
הַיְינוּ דַּאֲמַר לֵיהּ רַבָּן שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן גַּמְלִיאֵל: אֲפִילּוּ עַד עֲשָׂרָה דּוֹרוֹת פְּטוּרִין. אֶלָּא לְרַב הוּנָא דְּאָמַר: לָא נָחֵית תַּנָּא קַמָּא לְדָרֵי, מַאי ״אֲפִילּוּ עַד עֲשָׂרָה דּוֹרוֹת״? אָמַר לְךָ רַב הוּנָא: רַבָּן שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן גַּמְלִיאֵל אַ״הֶעֱמִיד״ קָאֵי דְּנָחֵית לְדָרֵי.
this is what Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel said to him: Even until ten generations, the offspring are exempt. But according to Rav Huna, who says that the first tanna did not descend to any generational levels, what is the meaning of the phrase: Even until ten generations? The Gemara responds: Rav Huna could have said to you that the statement of Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel is referring to the second case of the mishna, where the Jew established the offspring in place of the mothers, as in that case the first tanna also descends to generational levels.
תָּא שְׁמַע: הַמְקַבֵּל צֹאן בַּרְזֶל מִן הַגּוֹי — וְלָדוֹת פְּטוּרִין, וַולְדֵי וְלָדוֹת לֹא. תְּיוּבְתָּא דְרַב יְהוּדָה! אָמַר לָךְ רַב יְהוּדָה, אֵימָא: הֵן וּוַלְדוֹתֵיהֶן.
The Gemara comments: Come and hear an objection to the opinion of Rav Yehuda from the mishna: With regard to one who accepts animals as part of a guaranteed investment from a gentile, the direct offspring are exempt, and the offspring of the direct offspring are not exempt. This is apparently a conclusive refutation of the opinion of Rav Yehuda, who said that the offspring of the direct offspring are also exempt. The Gemara explains that Rav Yehuda could have said to you: I will say that the mishna means that they, the direct offspring, and their offspring are exempt. When the mishna said: The offspring are exempt, it was referring not to the offspring of the original animals given to the Jew, but to the offspring of those offspring.
אִיכָּא דְּאָמְרִי: הֵן וּוַלְדוֹתֵיהֶן פְּטוּרִין, תְּיוּבְתָּא דְּרַב הוּנָא! אָמַר לְךָ רַב הוּנָא: אֵימָא הֵן וְולָדוֹת — פָּטוּר, וַולְדֵי וְלָדוֹת — חַיָּיב.
The Gemara notes that there are those who say that there is a different version of this exchange: The mishna is actually written as: They, the direct offspring, and their offspring are exempt, which is apparently a conclusive refutation of the opinion of Rav Huna. The Gemara explains that Rav Huna could have said to you: One can say that the mishna means that they, i.e., the original animals given to the Jew, and their offspring are exempt. But the offspring of their direct offspring are obligated.
רָחֵל שֶׁיָּלְדָה מִין עֵז כּוּ׳. אֲתָא רַב אוֹשַׁעְיָא מִנְּהַרְדְּעָא, וְאַיְיתִי מַתְנִיתָא בִּידֵיהּ: רָחֵל בַּת עֵז, וְעֵז בַּת רָחֵל — רַבִּי מֵאִיר מְחַיֵּיב, וַחֲכָמִים פּוֹטְרִין.
§ The mishna teaches: A ewe that gave birth to a goat of sorts and a goat that gave birth to a ewe of sorts are not subject to the obligation of a firstborn. Rav Oshaya came from Neharde’a and brought a baraita in his hand: With regard to an animal that has the appearance of a ewe and that was born to a goat, or a goat that was born to a ewe, Rabbi Meir deems it obligated, and the Rabbis deem it exempt.
אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַב הוֹשַׁעְיָא לְרַבָּה: כִּי עָיְילַתְּ לְקַמֵּיהּ דְּרַב הוּנָא, בְּעִי מִינֵּיהּ: רַבִּי מֵאִיר מְחַיֵּיב לְמַאי? אִילֵימָא לִבְכוֹרָה — וְלֵית לֵיהּ לְרַבִּי מֵאִיר ״אַךְ בְּכוֹר שׁוֹר״ עַד שֶׁיְּהֵא הוּא שׁוֹר וּבְכוֹרוֹ שׁוֹר?
Rav Hoshaya said to Rabba: When you go before Rav Huna, ask him: With regard to what does Rabbi Meir deem it obligated? If we say that it is with regard to the mitzva of a firstborn, that is difficult: But doesn’t Rabbi Meir agree that the verse: “But the firstborn of an ox” (Numbers 18:17), teaches that an animal is included in the mitzva of a firstborn only if it is an ox and its firstborn is an ox? In other words, the mitzva of the firstborn applies only if the offspring has the appearance of its mother.
אֶלָּא לְרֵאשִׁית הַגֵּז, וְלֵית לֵיהּ הָא דְּתָנָא דְּבֵי רַבִּי יִשְׁמָעֵאל: כְּבָשִׂים שֶׁצַּמְרָן קָשֶׁה פְּטוּרִין מֵרֵאשִׁית הַגֵּז, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וּמִגֵּז כְּבָשַׂי יִתְחַמָּם״?
Rather, Rabbi Meir’s ruling was with regard to the obligation of giving the first shearing of wool to the priest. The Gemara asks: But if so, doesn’t Rabbi Meir agree with that which the school of Rabbi Yishmael taught: Lambs whose fleece is tough are exempt from, i.e., not subject to giving, the first shearing of wool to the priest, as it is stated: “And if he were not warmed with the fleece of my sheep” (Job 31:20)? It is derived from this verse that only a fleece which is fit to warm a person, i.e., fleece that is soft, is classified as wool that must be given to the priest. Since the fleece of the goat-like offspring of a ewe is tough, it should be excluded from the mitzva of the first shearing.
אֲמַר לֵיהּ: נִיחְזֵי אֲנַן, הָכָא בְּמַאי עָסְקִינַן? בְּרָחֵל שֶׁיָּלְדָה מִין עֵז, וְאָבִיו תַּיִישׁ, וּבְחוֹשְׁשִׁין לְזֶרַע הָאָב לְעִנְיַן אוֹתוֹ וְאֶת בְּנוֹ קָמִיפַּלְגִי, דְּרַבִּי מֵאִיר סָבַר: חוֹשְׁשִׁין לְזֶרַע הָאָב, וְרַבָּנַן סָבְרִי: אֵין חוֹשְׁשִׁין לְזֶרַע הָאָב.
Rabba said to Rav Hoshaya: Let us see; what are we dealing with here? We are dealing with a ewe that gave birth to a goat of sorts and its father was a goat. And they disagree as to whether or not one needs to be concerned with the offspring’s paternity in terms of the matter of the prohibition against slaughtering itself and its offspring on the same day. As Rabbi Meir holds that one needs to be concerned with its paternity, and therefore one is liable for slaughtering the male goat and its goat-like offspring in a single day, and the Rabbis hold that one need not be concerned with its paternity.
אִי הָכִי, לִיפַּלְגוּ בְּחוֹשְׁשִׁין לְזֶרַע הָאָב בְּעָלְמָא, בִּפְלוּגְתָּא דַּחֲנַנְיָה וְרַבָּנַן!
The Gemara objects: But if that is so, then let us say that they disagree on whether or not one needs to be concerned with the offspring’s paternity in general, i.e., with regard to the prohibition against slaughtering an animal and its offspring on the same day, which is the subject of the dispute of Ḥananya and the Rabbis (see Ḥullin 78b). Instead of citing a dispute in the unusual case of a ewe that gave birth to a goat of sorts, the baraita should have simply stated that Rabbi Meir agrees with the opinion of Ḥananya that the prohibition against slaughtering an animal and its offspring applies even to a father and its offspring.
אֶלָּא, לְעוֹלָם לִבְכוֹרָה, וְהָכָא בְּמַאי עָסְקִינַן — בְּרָחֵל בַּת רָחֵל בַּת עֵז. מָר סָבַר: זִיל בָּתַר אִימֵּיהּ, וְהַאי לָאו נִדְמֶה הוּא.
Rather, Rabbi Meir’s ruling is actually with regard to the obligation of a firstborn, and here we are dealing with a ewe born to a ewe born to a goat, which means that the offspring is similar in appearance to its mother, but not to its grandmother. One Sage, Rabbi Meir, holds: Follow the appearance of an offspring’s mother to determine whether or not the mitzva of a firstborn applies, and as this offspring has the appearance of its mother, it does not have the status of an animal that resembles a different species. Accordingly, the mitzva of firstborn applies.
וּמָר סָבַר: זִיל בָּתַר אִימַּיהּ דְּאִימֵּיהּ, וְהַאי נִדְמֶה הוּא.
And one Sage, the Rabbis, holds: Follow the appearance of the mother of its mother to determine whether or not the mitzva of firstborn applies, and as this offspring does not have the appearance of its mother’s mother, it does have the status of an animal that resembles a different species. Consequently, the mitzva of firstborn does not apply.
וְאִיבָּעֵית אֵימָא, בְּרָחֵל בַּת עֵז בַּת רָחֵל, מָר סָבַר: חָזְרוּ שֵׂיֻיוֹת לִמְקוֹמָן, וּמָר סָבַר: לֹא חָזְרוּ שֵׂיֻיוֹת לִמְקוֹמָן.
And if you wish, say instead that we are dealing with a ewe born to a goat born to a ewe. One Sage, Rabbi Meir, holds: Its ovine nature was restored to its original state. That is, since the offspring resembles its older progenitor, the mitzva of firstborn applies. And one Sage, the Rabbis, holds: Its ovine nature was not restored to its original state, and in any case where the offspring is not like its mother, it is exempt from the mitzva of firstborn.
רַב אָשֵׁי אָמַר: כְּגוֹן שֶׁיֵּשׁ בּוֹ מִקְצָת סִימָנִין, וּמַאן חֲכָמִים? רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן, דְּאָמַר: עַד שֶׁיְּהֵא רֹאשׁוֹ וְרוּבּוֹ דּוֹמֶה לְאִמּוֹ.
The Gemara cites another interpretation of the baraita. Rav Ashi says: The baraita is referring to a case where the offspring has some of the characteristics of its mother, and the opinion of Rabbi Meir is that of the mishna here, which rules that the mitzva of firstborn applies to an offspring that has some of its mother’s characteristics. And who are the Rabbis who disagree with Rabbi Meir? It is Rabbi Shimon, who says: The offspring does not have firstborn status unless its head and the majority of its body are similar to the appearance of its mother.
אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: מוֹדֶה רַבִּי מֵאִיר בְּשָׂעִיר שֶׁל רֹאשׁ חֹדֶשׁ דְּבָעֵינַן בֶּן שְׂעִירָה, מַאי טַעְמָא? אָמַר קְרָא: ״אֶחָד״ הַמְיוּחָד וּבָא מִשֵּׁשֶׁת יְמֵי בְּרֵאשִׁית.
According to the second explanation of the baraita, Rabbi Meir maintains that a ewe born to a goat born to a ewe is counted a firstborn despite the fact that it does not resemble its mother. Rabbi Yoḥanan says: Nevertheless, Rabbi Meir concedes with regard to the goat of the New Moon offering that we require the son of a female goat. What is the reason? With regard to the New Moon offering the verse states: “And one male goat for a sin offering unto the Lord” (Numbers 28:15). The superfluous word “one” teaches that the offering must be particularly a goat, as it has been since the six days of Creation.
וְהָא מֵהָכָא נָפְקָא? מֵהָתָם נָפְקָא — ״שׁוֹר אוֹ כֶשֶׂב״ — פְּרָט לְכִלְאַיִם, ״אוֹ עֵז״ — פְּרָט לְנִדְמֶה.
The Gemara asks: But is this derived from here? Isn’t it derived from there: “When a bull, or a sheep, or a goat, is brought forth” (Leviticus 22:27), as the phrase “a bull, or a sheep” serves to exclude diverse kinds, i.e., an animal born from two different species of animals, while the phrase “or a goat” serves to exclude an animal that resembles a different species?
צְרִיכָא, דְּאִי מֵהָתָם הֲוָה אָמֵינָא: הָנֵי מִילֵּי הֵיכָא דְּלָא נְחַת לְדָרֵי, אֲבָל הֵיכָא דִּנְחַת — אֵימָא לָא. וְאִי מֵהָכָא הֲוָה אָמֵינָא: הָנֵי מִילֵּי לְגַבֵּי קׇרְבַּן חוֹבָה, אֲבָל נְדָבָה — לָא, צְרִיכָא.
The Gemara answers that both verses are necessary, as, had the halakha been derived only from there, the verse in Leviticus, I would say: That statement applies only where the resemblance to another species does not trace back to earlier generations, i.e., the animal does not resemble any of its progenitors, but in a case where it does trace back, I would say: No, the animal is fit for sacrifice. Therefore, it is derived from the verse in Numbers that the animal must be as it has been since the six days of Creation. And had it been derived only from here, the verse in Numbers, I would say: That statement applies only with regard to an obligatory offering, which is the subject of that verse, but in the case of a gift offering, the animal does not need to resemble its mother. Therefore, both verses are necessary.
אָמַר רַבִּי אַחָא בַּר יַעֲקֹב: הַכֹּל מוֹדִים דְּאֵין לוֹקִין עַל צַמְרוֹ מִשּׁוּם כִּלְאַיִם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״לֹא תִלְבַּשׁ שַׁעַטְנֵז״, מָה פִּשְׁתָּן שֶׁלֹּא נִשְׁתַּנָּה — אַף צֶמֶר שֶׁלֹּא נִשְׁתַּנָּה.
The Gemara cites a series of statements discussing an animal that resembles another species. Rabbi Aḥa bar Yaakov says: Everyone concedes that one is not flogged due to the prohibition of diverse kinds for wearing its wool together with linen, as it is stated: “You shall not wear diverse kinds, wool and linen together” (Deuteronomy 22:11). Just as linen is a material that has not changed, so too, one is liable only for wearing wool from an animal that has not changed, i.e., an animal whose appearance does not differ from that of its progenitors.
אָמַר רַב פָּפָּא: הַכֹּל מוֹדִים שֶׁצַּמְרוֹ פָּסוּל לִתְכֵלֶת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״לֹא תִלְבַּשׁ שַׁעַטְנֵז… גְּדִילִים תַּעֲשֶׂה לָךְ״, מָה פִּשְׁתָּן שֶׁלֹּא נִשְׁתַּנָּה — אַף צֶמֶר שֶׁלֹּא נִשְׁתַּנָּה.
Rav Pappa similarly says: Everyone concedes that the wool of an animal that resembles another species is unfit to be used as the sky-blue wool of ritual fringes, as it is stated: “You shall not wear diverse kinds…you shall make yourself twisted cords” (Deuteronomy 22:11–12). Just as linen is a material that has not changed, so too, only wool from an animal that has not changed may be used as the sky-blue wool.
אָמַר רַב נַחְמָן בַּר יִצְחָק: הַכֹּל מוֹדִים שֶׁאֵין צַמְרוֹ מִטַּמֵּא בִּנְגָעִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״בְּבֶגֶד צֶמֶר אוֹ בְּבֶגֶד פִּשְׁתִּים״, מָה פִּשְׁתִּים שֶׁלֹּא נִשְׁתַּנָּה — אַף צֶמֶר שֶׁלֹּא נִשְׁתַּנָּה.
Rav Naḥman bar Yitzḥak likewise says: Everyone concedes that its wool does not become ritually impure with leprous marks, as it is stated: “And when the mark of leprosy is in a garment, whether it be a woolen garment, or a linen garment” (Leviticus 13:47). Just as the linen of a garment has not changed, so too, only a garment made of wool from an animal that has not changed can become impure with leprous marks.
אָמַר רַב אָשֵׁי: אַף אָנוּ נֹאמַר, הִדְלָה הַגֶּפֶן עַל גַּבֵּי תְּאֵינָה — יֵינוֹ פָּסוּל לִנְסָכִים. מַאי טַעְמָא? ״זֶבַח וּנְסָכִים״ — מָה זֶבַח שֶׁלֹּא נִשְׁתַּנָּה, אַף נְסָכִים שֶׁלֹּא נִשְׁתַּנּוּ.
Rav Ashi says: Along these lines, we can say also that if one trellised a grapevine over a fig tree, its wine is unfit to be used for libations. What is the reason? The verse states: “An offering, and libations” (Leviticus 23:37). Just as an offering must be an animal that has not changed, so too, libations must come from wine produced by vines that were not changed.
מַתְקֵיף לַהּ רָבִינָא: הִדְלָה פִּשְׁתָּן עַל גַּבֵּי הִיגָא — הָכִי נָמֵי דְּלִישְׁתַּנֵּי? אִם כֵּן לָא מָצֵית אָמְרַתְּ ״מָה פִּשְׁתָּן שֶׁלֹּא נִשְׁתַּנָּה״, דְּהָא פִּשְׁתָּן נָמֵי מִשְׁתַּנֵּי! אֲמַר לֵיהּ: זֶה נִשְׁתַּנָּה רֵיחוֹ, וְזֶה לֹא נִשְׁתַּנָּה רֵיחוֹ.
Ravina objects to this suggestion: By that reasoning, if one trellised flax over a shrub, it should also be considered a changed product. But if so, you cannot say what Rabbi Aḥa bar Yaakov said in his earlier statement: Just as linen is a material that has not changed, as linen also changes according to Rav Ashi’s reasoning. Rav Ashi said to Ravina: With regard to this wine, its scent has changed, but with regard to that flax, its scent has not changed, and therefore its alteration is considered inconsequential.
מַתְנִי׳ רָחֵל שֶׁלֹּא בִּיכְּרָה וְיָלְדָה שְׁנֵי זְכָרִים, וְיָצְאוּ שְׁנֵי רָאשֵׁיהֶן כְּאַחַת — רַבִּי יוֹסֵי הַגְּלִילִי אוֹמֵר: שְׁנֵיהֶן לַכֹּהֵן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״הַזְּכָרִים לַה׳״, וַחֲכָמִים אוֹמְרִים: אִי אֶפְשָׁר לְצַמְצֵם, אֶלָּא אֶחָד לוֹ וְאֶחָד לַכֹּהֵן.
MISHNA: In the case of a ewe that had not previously given birth, and it gave birth to two males and both their heads emerged as one, Rabbi Yosei HaGelili says: Both of them are given to the priest, as it is stated in the plural: “Every firstborn that you have of animals, the males shall be to the Lord” (Exodus 13:12). And the Rabbis say: It is impossible for two events to coincide precisely, i.e., their births were not at precisely the same time. Rather, one preceded the other, and therefore one of the males is given to the owner and one to the priest.
רַבִּי טַרְפוֹן אוֹמֵר: הַכֹּהֵן בּוֹרֵר לוֹ אֶת הַיָּפֶה. רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא אוֹמֵר: מְשַׁמְּנִין בֵּינֵיהֶן, וְהַשֵּׁנִי יִרְעֶה עַד שֶׁיִּסְתָּאֵב.
Rabbi Tarfon says: The priest chooses the better of the two. Rabbi Akiva says: They assess the value of the lambs between them and the priest takes the leaner of the two, as will be explained in the Gemara. And with regard to the second lamb that remains in the possession of the owner, since he may not partake of it due to its uncertain status as a firstborn, it must graze until it becomes blemished, at which point he may slaughter and eat it.
וְחַיָּיב בַּמַּתָּנוֹת, וְרַבִּי יוֹסֵי פּוֹטֵר. מֵת אֶחָד מֵהֶן — רַבִּי טַרְפוֹן אוֹמֵר: יַחְלוֹקוּ, רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא אוֹמֵר: הַמּוֹצִיא מֵחֲבֵירוֹ עָלָיו הָרְאָיָה. זָכָר וּנְקֵבָה — אֵין כָּאן לַכֹּהֵן כְּלוּם.
And when he slaughters the animal he is obligated to have the gifts of the priesthood taken from it, i.e., the gifts that one is required to give a priest from a non-sacred animal: The foreleg, the jaw, and the maw. And Rabbi Yosei deems him exempt from giving those gifts. If one of the two born together died, Rabbi Tarfon says: The priest and the owner divide the remaining lamb. Rabbi Akiva says: Since there is uncertainty to whom it belongs, it remains in the possession of the owner, as the burden of proof rests upon the claimant. If a male and a female offspring were born together, everyone agrees that the priest has nothing here.
גְּמָ׳ אָמְרִי דְּבֵי רַבִּי יַנַּאי: לְרַבִּי יוֹסֵי הַגְּלִילִי שָׁמְעִינַן לֵיהּ דְּאָמַר אֶפְשָׁר לְצַמְצֵם בִּידֵי שָׁמַיִם, וְכׇל שֶׁכֵּן בִּידֵי אָדָם, וְרַבָּנַן — בִּידֵי שָׁמַיִם אִי אֶפְשָׁר לְצַמְצֵם, בִּידֵי אָדָם מַאי?
GEMARA: The mishna teaches that the Rabbis disagree with Rabbi Yosei HaGelili, maintaining that it is impossible for the time of twins’ births to coincide precisely. They said in the school of Rabbi Yannai: According to Rabbi Yosei HaGelili, we heard in the mishna that he says: It is possible for two events that are in the hands of Heaven to coincide precisely, and all the more so it is clear that it is possible for two events that are in human hands to coincide precisely, as they are intended to be simultaneous. But according to the Rabbis, evidently they maintain that it is impossible for two matters that are in the hands of Heaven to coincide precisely, but with regard to events that are in human hands, what is their opinion?
תָּא שְׁמַע: חוּט שֶׁל סִיקְרָא חוֹגְרוֹ בָּאֶמְצַע, לְהַבְדִּיל בֵּין דָּמִים הָעֶלְיוֹנִים וּבֵין דָּמִים הַתַּחְתּוֹנִים. וְאִי אָמְרַתְּ אִי אֶפְשָׁר לְצַמְצֵם בִּידֵי אָדָם, זִימְנִין דְּקָא יָהֵיב עֶלְיוֹנִים לְמַטָּה וְתַחְתּוֹנִים לְמַעְלָה! דְּמַרְוַוח בָּהּ פּוּרְתָּא.
The Gemara suggests: Come and hear a proof from a mishna (Middot 3:1): A red line encircled the altar in the middle, to separate between the blood that must be presented on the upper part of the altar and the blood that must be presented on the lower section of the altar. And if you say that it is impossible for two matters that are in human hands to coincide precisely, i.e., that people cannot measure the precise midpoint of an area, then that line will not be precisely in the middle, which means that there will be times when the priest puts blood meant for the upper part of the altar upon the lower section, and blood meant for the lower section above. The Gemara rejects this proof: In that case, one widens the line a little so that it certainly covers the middle part of the altar.
תָּא שְׁמַע מִמִּדַּת כֵּלִים, מִמִּדַּת מִזְבֵּחַ. שָׁאנֵי הָתָם, דְּרַחֲמָנָא אָמַר עֲבֵיד, וּבְכֹל הֵיכִי דְּמָצֵית לְמִיעְבַּד נִיחָא לֵיהּ, ״הַכֹּל בִּכְתָב מִיַּד ה׳ עָלַי הִשְׂכִּיל״.
The Gemara suggests: Come and hear a proof from the measurements of the vessels and from the measurements of the altar of the Temple. Since the Torah gives precise measurements for them, this indicates that it is possible to measure precisely. The Gemara rejects this proof as well: It is different there, as the Merciful One says: Do it, and to whatever extent you can fulfill His directives, this finds favor in His eyes, as the verse states: “All this in writing, as the Lord has made me wise by His hand upon me, even all the works of this pattern” (I Chronicles 28:19).
אָמַר רַב קַטִּינָא, תָּא שְׁמַע: חִלְּקוֹ לִשְׁנַיִם וְהֵן שָׁוִין — שְׁנֵיהֶן טְמֵאִים, לְפִי שֶׁאִי אֶפְשָׁר לְצַמְצֵם. אָמַר רַב כָּהֲנָא: שָׁאנֵי כְּלִי חֶרֶס הוֹאִיל וְיֵשׁ בּוֹ גּוּמּוֹת.
Rav Ketina said: Come and hear a different proof from a baraita: An earthenware vessel that became ritually impure can be purified only by being broken. If it is broken in two, the larger piece remains impure while the smaller piece becomes pure. If one divided an impure earthenware oven into two pieces and they are equal in size, both are ritually impure, because it is impossible for the two to coincide precisely, i.e., one cannot measure exactly. Rav Kahana said, in rejection of this proof: An earthenware vessel is different, since it has indentations in it, i.e., the place of the break is uneven and is therefore particularly difficult to measure precisely.
תָּא שְׁמַע: נִמְצָא מְכוָּּון בֵּין שְׁתֵּי עֲיָירוֹת, שְׁתֵּיהֶן מְבִיאוֹת שְׁתֵּי עֲגָלוֹת, דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר. מַאי טַעְמָא?
The Gemara suggests: Come and hear another proof from a mishna (Sota 45b): With regard to a case involving the heifer whose neck is broken, if the slain person was found precisely between two towns, the two towns bring two heifers between them; this is the statement of Rabbi Eliezer. What is the reason that each town must bring a heifer?
לָאו מִשּׁוּם דְּקָסָבַר בִּידֵי אָדָם אֶפְשָׁר לְצַמְצֵם, וּקְרוֹבָה — וַאֲפִילּוּ קְרוֹבוֹת?
Is it not because Rabbi Eliezer holds: With regard to matters that are in human hands, it is possible for two matters to coincide precisely? And Rabbi Eliezer also holds that when the verse states, in the singular: “And it shall be that the town which is nearest to the slain man, even the elders of that town shall take a heifer of the herd” (Deuteronomy 21:3), it is not necessarily referring to only one town, but even to the two nearest towns, if they are equidistant from the corpse. If it were impossible for both towns to be measured as precisely the same distance from the corpse, they would not bring two heifers but one in partnership, stipulating that it belongs to the town that is actually closer.
לָא, רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר
The Gemara rejects this: No, Rabbi Eliezer
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Bekhorot 17
הַיְינוּ דַּאֲמַר לֵיהּ רַבָּן שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן גַּמְלִיאֵל: אֲפִילּוּ עַד עֲשָׂרָה דּוֹרוֹת פְּטוּרִין. אֶלָּא לְרַב הוּנָא דְּאָמַר: לָא נָחֵית תַּנָּא קַמָּא לְדָרֵי, מַאי ״אֲפִילּוּ עַד עֲשָׂרָה דּוֹרוֹת״? אָמַר לְךָ רַב הוּנָא: רַבָּן שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן גַּמְלִיאֵל אַ״הֶעֱמִיד״ קָאֵי דְּנָחֵית לְדָרֵי.
this is what Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel said to him: Even until ten generations, the offspring are exempt. But according to Rav Huna, who says that the first tanna did not descend to any generational levels, what is the meaning of the phrase: Even until ten generations? The Gemara responds: Rav Huna could have said to you that the statement of Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel is referring to the second case of the mishna, where the Jew established the offspring in place of the mothers, as in that case the first tanna also descends to generational levels.
תָּא שְׁמַע: הַמְקַבֵּל צֹאן בַּרְזֶל מִן הַגּוֹי — וְלָדוֹת פְּטוּרִין, וַולְדֵי וְלָדוֹת לֹא. תְּיוּבְתָּא דְרַב יְהוּדָה! אָמַר לָךְ רַב יְהוּדָה, אֵימָא: הֵן וּוַלְדוֹתֵיהֶן.
The Gemara comments: Come and hear an objection to the opinion of Rav Yehuda from the mishna: With regard to one who accepts animals as part of a guaranteed investment from a gentile, the direct offspring are exempt, and the offspring of the direct offspring are not exempt. This is apparently a conclusive refutation of the opinion of Rav Yehuda, who said that the offspring of the direct offspring are also exempt. The Gemara explains that Rav Yehuda could have said to you: I will say that the mishna means that they, the direct offspring, and their offspring are exempt. When the mishna said: The offspring are exempt, it was referring not to the offspring of the original animals given to the Jew, but to the offspring of those offspring.
אִיכָּא דְּאָמְרִי: הֵן וּוַלְדוֹתֵיהֶן פְּטוּרִין, תְּיוּבְתָּא דְּרַב הוּנָא! אָמַר לְךָ רַב הוּנָא: אֵימָא הֵן וְולָדוֹת — פָּטוּר, וַולְדֵי וְלָדוֹת — חַיָּיב.
The Gemara notes that there are those who say that there is a different version of this exchange: The mishna is actually written as: They, the direct offspring, and their offspring are exempt, which is apparently a conclusive refutation of the opinion of Rav Huna. The Gemara explains that Rav Huna could have said to you: One can say that the mishna means that they, i.e., the original animals given to the Jew, and their offspring are exempt. But the offspring of their direct offspring are obligated.
רָחֵל שֶׁיָּלְדָה מִין עֵז כּוּ׳. אֲתָא רַב אוֹשַׁעְיָא מִנְּהַרְדְּעָא, וְאַיְיתִי מַתְנִיתָא בִּידֵיהּ: רָחֵל בַּת עֵז, וְעֵז בַּת רָחֵל — רַבִּי מֵאִיר מְחַיֵּיב, וַחֲכָמִים פּוֹטְרִין.
§ The mishna teaches: A ewe that gave birth to a goat of sorts and a goat that gave birth to a ewe of sorts are not subject to the obligation of a firstborn. Rav Oshaya came from Neharde’a and brought a baraita in his hand: With regard to an animal that has the appearance of a ewe and that was born to a goat, or a goat that was born to a ewe, Rabbi Meir deems it obligated, and the Rabbis deem it exempt.
אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַב הוֹשַׁעְיָא לְרַבָּה: כִּי עָיְילַתְּ לְקַמֵּיהּ דְּרַב הוּנָא, בְּעִי מִינֵּיהּ: רַבִּי מֵאִיר מְחַיֵּיב לְמַאי? אִילֵימָא לִבְכוֹרָה — וְלֵית לֵיהּ לְרַבִּי מֵאִיר ״אַךְ בְּכוֹר שׁוֹר״ עַד שֶׁיְּהֵא הוּא שׁוֹר וּבְכוֹרוֹ שׁוֹר?
Rav Hoshaya said to Rabba: When you go before Rav Huna, ask him: With regard to what does Rabbi Meir deem it obligated? If we say that it is with regard to the mitzva of a firstborn, that is difficult: But doesn’t Rabbi Meir agree that the verse: “But the firstborn of an ox” (Numbers 18:17), teaches that an animal is included in the mitzva of a firstborn only if it is an ox and its firstborn is an ox? In other words, the mitzva of the firstborn applies only if the offspring has the appearance of its mother.
אֶלָּא לְרֵאשִׁית הַגֵּז, וְלֵית לֵיהּ הָא דְּתָנָא דְּבֵי רַבִּי יִשְׁמָעֵאל: כְּבָשִׂים שֶׁצַּמְרָן קָשֶׁה פְּטוּרִין מֵרֵאשִׁית הַגֵּז, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וּמִגֵּז כְּבָשַׂי יִתְחַמָּם״?
Rather, Rabbi Meir’s ruling was with regard to the obligation of giving the first shearing of wool to the priest. The Gemara asks: But if so, doesn’t Rabbi Meir agree with that which the school of Rabbi Yishmael taught: Lambs whose fleece is tough are exempt from, i.e., not subject to giving, the first shearing of wool to the priest, as it is stated: “And if he were not warmed with the fleece of my sheep” (Job 31:20)? It is derived from this verse that only a fleece which is fit to warm a person, i.e., fleece that is soft, is classified as wool that must be given to the priest. Since the fleece of the goat-like offspring of a ewe is tough, it should be excluded from the mitzva of the first shearing.
אֲמַר לֵיהּ: נִיחְזֵי אֲנַן, הָכָא בְּמַאי עָסְקִינַן? בְּרָחֵל שֶׁיָּלְדָה מִין עֵז, וְאָבִיו תַּיִישׁ, וּבְחוֹשְׁשִׁין לְזֶרַע הָאָב לְעִנְיַן אוֹתוֹ וְאֶת בְּנוֹ קָמִיפַּלְגִי, דְּרַבִּי מֵאִיר סָבַר: חוֹשְׁשִׁין לְזֶרַע הָאָב, וְרַבָּנַן סָבְרִי: אֵין חוֹשְׁשִׁין לְזֶרַע הָאָב.
Rabba said to Rav Hoshaya: Let us see; what are we dealing with here? We are dealing with a ewe that gave birth to a goat of sorts and its father was a goat. And they disagree as to whether or not one needs to be concerned with the offspring’s paternity in terms of the matter of the prohibition against slaughtering itself and its offspring on the same day. As Rabbi Meir holds that one needs to be concerned with its paternity, and therefore one is liable for slaughtering the male goat and its goat-like offspring in a single day, and the Rabbis hold that one need not be concerned with its paternity.
אִי הָכִי, לִיפַּלְגוּ בְּחוֹשְׁשִׁין לְזֶרַע הָאָב בְּעָלְמָא, בִּפְלוּגְתָּא דַּחֲנַנְיָה וְרַבָּנַן!
The Gemara objects: But if that is so, then let us say that they disagree on whether or not one needs to be concerned with the offspring’s paternity in general, i.e., with regard to the prohibition against slaughtering an animal and its offspring on the same day, which is the subject of the dispute of Ḥananya and the Rabbis (see Ḥullin 78b). Instead of citing a dispute in the unusual case of a ewe that gave birth to a goat of sorts, the baraita should have simply stated that Rabbi Meir agrees with the opinion of Ḥananya that the prohibition against slaughtering an animal and its offspring applies even to a father and its offspring.
אֶלָּא, לְעוֹלָם לִבְכוֹרָה, וְהָכָא בְּמַאי עָסְקִינַן — בְּרָחֵל בַּת רָחֵל בַּת עֵז. מָר סָבַר: זִיל בָּתַר אִימֵּיהּ, וְהַאי לָאו נִדְמֶה הוּא.
Rather, Rabbi Meir’s ruling is actually with regard to the obligation of a firstborn, and here we are dealing with a ewe born to a ewe born to a goat, which means that the offspring is similar in appearance to its mother, but not to its grandmother. One Sage, Rabbi Meir, holds: Follow the appearance of an offspring’s mother to determine whether or not the mitzva of a firstborn applies, and as this offspring has the appearance of its mother, it does not have the status of an animal that resembles a different species. Accordingly, the mitzva of firstborn applies.
וּמָר סָבַר: זִיל בָּתַר אִימַּיהּ דְּאִימֵּיהּ, וְהַאי נִדְמֶה הוּא.
And one Sage, the Rabbis, holds: Follow the appearance of the mother of its mother to determine whether or not the mitzva of firstborn applies, and as this offspring does not have the appearance of its mother’s mother, it does have the status of an animal that resembles a different species. Consequently, the mitzva of firstborn does not apply.
וְאִיבָּעֵית אֵימָא, בְּרָחֵל בַּת עֵז בַּת רָחֵל, מָר סָבַר: חָזְרוּ שֵׂיֻיוֹת לִמְקוֹמָן, וּמָר סָבַר: לֹא חָזְרוּ שֵׂיֻיוֹת לִמְקוֹמָן.
And if you wish, say instead that we are dealing with a ewe born to a goat born to a ewe. One Sage, Rabbi Meir, holds: Its ovine nature was restored to its original state. That is, since the offspring resembles its older progenitor, the mitzva of firstborn applies. And one Sage, the Rabbis, holds: Its ovine nature was not restored to its original state, and in any case where the offspring is not like its mother, it is exempt from the mitzva of firstborn.
רַב אָשֵׁי אָמַר: כְּגוֹן שֶׁיֵּשׁ בּוֹ מִקְצָת סִימָנִין, וּמַאן חֲכָמִים? רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן, דְּאָמַר: עַד שֶׁיְּהֵא רֹאשׁוֹ וְרוּבּוֹ דּוֹמֶה לְאִמּוֹ.
The Gemara cites another interpretation of the baraita. Rav Ashi says: The baraita is referring to a case where the offspring has some of the characteristics of its mother, and the opinion of Rabbi Meir is that of the mishna here, which rules that the mitzva of firstborn applies to an offspring that has some of its mother’s characteristics. And who are the Rabbis who disagree with Rabbi Meir? It is Rabbi Shimon, who says: The offspring does not have firstborn status unless its head and the majority of its body are similar to the appearance of its mother.
אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: מוֹדֶה רַבִּי מֵאִיר בְּשָׂעִיר שֶׁל רֹאשׁ חֹדֶשׁ דְּבָעֵינַן בֶּן שְׂעִירָה, מַאי טַעְמָא? אָמַר קְרָא: ״אֶחָד״ הַמְיוּחָד וּבָא מִשֵּׁשֶׁת יְמֵי בְּרֵאשִׁית.
According to the second explanation of the baraita, Rabbi Meir maintains that a ewe born to a goat born to a ewe is counted a firstborn despite the fact that it does not resemble its mother. Rabbi Yoḥanan says: Nevertheless, Rabbi Meir concedes with regard to the goat of the New Moon offering that we require the son of a female goat. What is the reason? With regard to the New Moon offering the verse states: “And one male goat for a sin offering unto the Lord” (Numbers 28:15). The superfluous word “one” teaches that the offering must be particularly a goat, as it has been since the six days of Creation.
וְהָא מֵהָכָא נָפְקָא? מֵהָתָם נָפְקָא — ״שׁוֹר אוֹ כֶשֶׂב״ — פְּרָט לְכִלְאַיִם, ״אוֹ עֵז״ — פְּרָט לְנִדְמֶה.
The Gemara asks: But is this derived from here? Isn’t it derived from there: “When a bull, or a sheep, or a goat, is brought forth” (Leviticus 22:27), as the phrase “a bull, or a sheep” serves to exclude diverse kinds, i.e., an animal born from two different species of animals, while the phrase “or a goat” serves to exclude an animal that resembles a different species?
צְרִיכָא, דְּאִי מֵהָתָם הֲוָה אָמֵינָא: הָנֵי מִילֵּי הֵיכָא דְּלָא נְחַת לְדָרֵי, אֲבָל הֵיכָא דִּנְחַת — אֵימָא לָא. וְאִי מֵהָכָא הֲוָה אָמֵינָא: הָנֵי מִילֵּי לְגַבֵּי קׇרְבַּן חוֹבָה, אֲבָל נְדָבָה — לָא, צְרִיכָא.
The Gemara answers that both verses are necessary, as, had the halakha been derived only from there, the verse in Leviticus, I would say: That statement applies only where the resemblance to another species does not trace back to earlier generations, i.e., the animal does not resemble any of its progenitors, but in a case where it does trace back, I would say: No, the animal is fit for sacrifice. Therefore, it is derived from the verse in Numbers that the animal must be as it has been since the six days of Creation. And had it been derived only from here, the verse in Numbers, I would say: That statement applies only with regard to an obligatory offering, which is the subject of that verse, but in the case of a gift offering, the animal does not need to resemble its mother. Therefore, both verses are necessary.
אָמַר רַבִּי אַחָא בַּר יַעֲקֹב: הַכֹּל מוֹדִים דְּאֵין לוֹקִין עַל צַמְרוֹ מִשּׁוּם כִּלְאַיִם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״לֹא תִלְבַּשׁ שַׁעַטְנֵז״, מָה פִּשְׁתָּן שֶׁלֹּא נִשְׁתַּנָּה — אַף צֶמֶר שֶׁלֹּא נִשְׁתַּנָּה.
The Gemara cites a series of statements discussing an animal that resembles another species. Rabbi Aḥa bar Yaakov says: Everyone concedes that one is not flogged due to the prohibition of diverse kinds for wearing its wool together with linen, as it is stated: “You shall not wear diverse kinds, wool and linen together” (Deuteronomy 22:11). Just as linen is a material that has not changed, so too, one is liable only for wearing wool from an animal that has not changed, i.e., an animal whose appearance does not differ from that of its progenitors.
אָמַר רַב פָּפָּא: הַכֹּל מוֹדִים שֶׁצַּמְרוֹ פָּסוּל לִתְכֵלֶת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״לֹא תִלְבַּשׁ שַׁעַטְנֵז… גְּדִילִים תַּעֲשֶׂה לָךְ״, מָה פִּשְׁתָּן שֶׁלֹּא נִשְׁתַּנָּה — אַף צֶמֶר שֶׁלֹּא נִשְׁתַּנָּה.
Rav Pappa similarly says: Everyone concedes that the wool of an animal that resembles another species is unfit to be used as the sky-blue wool of ritual fringes, as it is stated: “You shall not wear diverse kinds…you shall make yourself twisted cords” (Deuteronomy 22:11–12). Just as linen is a material that has not changed, so too, only wool from an animal that has not changed may be used as the sky-blue wool.
אָמַר רַב נַחְמָן בַּר יִצְחָק: הַכֹּל מוֹדִים שֶׁאֵין צַמְרוֹ מִטַּמֵּא בִּנְגָעִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״בְּבֶגֶד צֶמֶר אוֹ בְּבֶגֶד פִּשְׁתִּים״, מָה פִּשְׁתִּים שֶׁלֹּא נִשְׁתַּנָּה — אַף צֶמֶר שֶׁלֹּא נִשְׁתַּנָּה.
Rav Naḥman bar Yitzḥak likewise says: Everyone concedes that its wool does not become ritually impure with leprous marks, as it is stated: “And when the mark of leprosy is in a garment, whether it be a woolen garment, or a linen garment” (Leviticus 13:47). Just as the linen of a garment has not changed, so too, only a garment made of wool from an animal that has not changed can become impure with leprous marks.
אָמַר רַב אָשֵׁי: אַף אָנוּ נֹאמַר, הִדְלָה הַגֶּפֶן עַל גַּבֵּי תְּאֵינָה — יֵינוֹ פָּסוּל לִנְסָכִים. מַאי טַעְמָא? ״זֶבַח וּנְסָכִים״ — מָה זֶבַח שֶׁלֹּא נִשְׁתַּנָּה, אַף נְסָכִים שֶׁלֹּא נִשְׁתַּנּוּ.
Rav Ashi says: Along these lines, we can say also that if one trellised a grapevine over a fig tree, its wine is unfit to be used for libations. What is the reason? The verse states: “An offering, and libations” (Leviticus 23:37). Just as an offering must be an animal that has not changed, so too, libations must come from wine produced by vines that were not changed.
מַתְקֵיף לַהּ רָבִינָא: הִדְלָה פִּשְׁתָּן עַל גַּבֵּי הִיגָא — הָכִי נָמֵי דְּלִישְׁתַּנֵּי? אִם כֵּן לָא מָצֵית אָמְרַתְּ ״מָה פִּשְׁתָּן שֶׁלֹּא נִשְׁתַּנָּה״, דְּהָא פִּשְׁתָּן נָמֵי מִשְׁתַּנֵּי! אֲמַר לֵיהּ: זֶה נִשְׁתַּנָּה רֵיחוֹ, וְזֶה לֹא נִשְׁתַּנָּה רֵיחוֹ.
Ravina objects to this suggestion: By that reasoning, if one trellised flax over a shrub, it should also be considered a changed product. But if so, you cannot say what Rabbi Aḥa bar Yaakov said in his earlier statement: Just as linen is a material that has not changed, as linen also changes according to Rav Ashi’s reasoning. Rav Ashi said to Ravina: With regard to this wine, its scent has changed, but with regard to that flax, its scent has not changed, and therefore its alteration is considered inconsequential.
מַתְנִי׳ רָחֵל שֶׁלֹּא בִּיכְּרָה וְיָלְדָה שְׁנֵי זְכָרִים, וְיָצְאוּ שְׁנֵי רָאשֵׁיהֶן כְּאַחַת — רַבִּי יוֹסֵי הַגְּלִילִי אוֹמֵר: שְׁנֵיהֶן לַכֹּהֵן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״הַזְּכָרִים לַה׳״, וַחֲכָמִים אוֹמְרִים: אִי אֶפְשָׁר לְצַמְצֵם, אֶלָּא אֶחָד לוֹ וְאֶחָד לַכֹּהֵן.
MISHNA: In the case of a ewe that had not previously given birth, and it gave birth to two males and both their heads emerged as one, Rabbi Yosei HaGelili says: Both of them are given to the priest, as it is stated in the plural: “Every firstborn that you have of animals, the males shall be to the Lord” (Exodus 13:12). And the Rabbis say: It is impossible for two events to coincide precisely, i.e., their births were not at precisely the same time. Rather, one preceded the other, and therefore one of the males is given to the owner and one to the priest.
רַבִּי טַרְפוֹן אוֹמֵר: הַכֹּהֵן בּוֹרֵר לוֹ אֶת הַיָּפֶה. רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא אוֹמֵר: מְשַׁמְּנִין בֵּינֵיהֶן, וְהַשֵּׁנִי יִרְעֶה עַד שֶׁיִּסְתָּאֵב.
Rabbi Tarfon says: The priest chooses the better of the two. Rabbi Akiva says: They assess the value of the lambs between them and the priest takes the leaner of the two, as will be explained in the Gemara. And with regard to the second lamb that remains in the possession of the owner, since he may not partake of it due to its uncertain status as a firstborn, it must graze until it becomes blemished, at which point he may slaughter and eat it.
וְחַיָּיב בַּמַּתָּנוֹת, וְרַבִּי יוֹסֵי פּוֹטֵר. מֵת אֶחָד מֵהֶן — רַבִּי טַרְפוֹן אוֹמֵר: יַחְלוֹקוּ, רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא אוֹמֵר: הַמּוֹצִיא מֵחֲבֵירוֹ עָלָיו הָרְאָיָה. זָכָר וּנְקֵבָה — אֵין כָּאן לַכֹּהֵן כְּלוּם.
And when he slaughters the animal he is obligated to have the gifts of the priesthood taken from it, i.e., the gifts that one is required to give a priest from a non-sacred animal: The foreleg, the jaw, and the maw. And Rabbi Yosei deems him exempt from giving those gifts. If one of the two born together died, Rabbi Tarfon says: The priest and the owner divide the remaining lamb. Rabbi Akiva says: Since there is uncertainty to whom it belongs, it remains in the possession of the owner, as the burden of proof rests upon the claimant. If a male and a female offspring were born together, everyone agrees that the priest has nothing here.
גְּמָ׳ אָמְרִי דְּבֵי רַבִּי יַנַּאי: לְרַבִּי יוֹסֵי הַגְּלִילִי שָׁמְעִינַן לֵיהּ דְּאָמַר אֶפְשָׁר לְצַמְצֵם בִּידֵי שָׁמַיִם, וְכׇל שֶׁכֵּן בִּידֵי אָדָם, וְרַבָּנַן — בִּידֵי שָׁמַיִם אִי אֶפְשָׁר לְצַמְצֵם, בִּידֵי אָדָם מַאי?
GEMARA: The mishna teaches that the Rabbis disagree with Rabbi Yosei HaGelili, maintaining that it is impossible for the time of twins’ births to coincide precisely. They said in the school of Rabbi Yannai: According to Rabbi Yosei HaGelili, we heard in the mishna that he says: It is possible for two events that are in the hands of Heaven to coincide precisely, and all the more so it is clear that it is possible for two events that are in human hands to coincide precisely, as they are intended to be simultaneous. But according to the Rabbis, evidently they maintain that it is impossible for two matters that are in the hands of Heaven to coincide precisely, but with regard to events that are in human hands, what is their opinion?
תָּא שְׁמַע: חוּט שֶׁל סִיקְרָא חוֹגְרוֹ בָּאֶמְצַע, לְהַבְדִּיל בֵּין דָּמִים הָעֶלְיוֹנִים וּבֵין דָּמִים הַתַּחְתּוֹנִים. וְאִי אָמְרַתְּ אִי אֶפְשָׁר לְצַמְצֵם בִּידֵי אָדָם, זִימְנִין דְּקָא יָהֵיב עֶלְיוֹנִים לְמַטָּה וְתַחְתּוֹנִים לְמַעְלָה! דְּמַרְוַוח בָּהּ פּוּרְתָּא.
The Gemara suggests: Come and hear a proof from a mishna (Middot 3:1): A red line encircled the altar in the middle, to separate between the blood that must be presented on the upper part of the altar and the blood that must be presented on the lower section of the altar. And if you say that it is impossible for two matters that are in human hands to coincide precisely, i.e., that people cannot measure the precise midpoint of an area, then that line will not be precisely in the middle, which means that there will be times when the priest puts blood meant for the upper part of the altar upon the lower section, and blood meant for the lower section above. The Gemara rejects this proof: In that case, one widens the line a little so that it certainly covers the middle part of the altar.
תָּא שְׁמַע מִמִּדַּת כֵּלִים, מִמִּדַּת מִזְבֵּחַ. שָׁאנֵי הָתָם, דְּרַחֲמָנָא אָמַר עֲבֵיד, וּבְכֹל הֵיכִי דְּמָצֵית לְמִיעְבַּד נִיחָא לֵיהּ, ״הַכֹּל בִּכְתָב מִיַּד ה׳ עָלַי הִשְׂכִּיל״.
The Gemara suggests: Come and hear a proof from the measurements of the vessels and from the measurements of the altar of the Temple. Since the Torah gives precise measurements for them, this indicates that it is possible to measure precisely. The Gemara rejects this proof as well: It is different there, as the Merciful One says: Do it, and to whatever extent you can fulfill His directives, this finds favor in His eyes, as the verse states: “All this in writing, as the Lord has made me wise by His hand upon me, even all the works of this pattern” (I Chronicles 28:19).
אָמַר רַב קַטִּינָא, תָּא שְׁמַע: חִלְּקוֹ לִשְׁנַיִם וְהֵן שָׁוִין — שְׁנֵיהֶן טְמֵאִים, לְפִי שֶׁאִי אֶפְשָׁר לְצַמְצֵם. אָמַר רַב כָּהֲנָא: שָׁאנֵי כְּלִי חֶרֶס הוֹאִיל וְיֵשׁ בּוֹ גּוּמּוֹת.
Rav Ketina said: Come and hear a different proof from a baraita: An earthenware vessel that became ritually impure can be purified only by being broken. If it is broken in two, the larger piece remains impure while the smaller piece becomes pure. If one divided an impure earthenware oven into two pieces and they are equal in size, both are ritually impure, because it is impossible for the two to coincide precisely, i.e., one cannot measure exactly. Rav Kahana said, in rejection of this proof: An earthenware vessel is different, since it has indentations in it, i.e., the place of the break is uneven and is therefore particularly difficult to measure precisely.
תָּא שְׁמַע: נִמְצָא מְכוָּּון בֵּין שְׁתֵּי עֲיָירוֹת, שְׁתֵּיהֶן מְבִיאוֹת שְׁתֵּי עֲגָלוֹת, דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר. מַאי טַעְמָא?
The Gemara suggests: Come and hear another proof from a mishna (Sota 45b): With regard to a case involving the heifer whose neck is broken, if the slain person was found precisely between two towns, the two towns bring two heifers between them; this is the statement of Rabbi Eliezer. What is the reason that each town must bring a heifer?
לָאו מִשּׁוּם דְּקָסָבַר בִּידֵי אָדָם אֶפְשָׁר לְצַמְצֵם, וּקְרוֹבָה — וַאֲפִילּוּ קְרוֹבוֹת?
Is it not because Rabbi Eliezer holds: With regard to matters that are in human hands, it is possible for two matters to coincide precisely? And Rabbi Eliezer also holds that when the verse states, in the singular: “And it shall be that the town which is nearest to the slain man, even the elders of that town shall take a heifer of the herd” (Deuteronomy 21:3), it is not necessarily referring to only one town, but even to the two nearest towns, if they are equidistant from the corpse. If it were impossible for both towns to be measured as precisely the same distance from the corpse, they would not bring two heifers but one in partnership, stipulating that it belongs to the town that is actually closer.
לָא, רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר
The Gemara rejects this: No, Rabbi Eliezer
