Bekhorot
Encyclopedia
Bekhorot refers to the first-born human, or animal according to the Hebrew Bible
in which God commanded Moses in the Book of Exodus to “consecrate to Me every first-born; man and beast, the first issue of every womb among the Israelites is Mine.” It is from this commandment that Judaism
forms the foundation of its many traditions and rituals concerning the redemption
of the first-born son and ritual slaughter
.
In addition to several references found in the Hebrew bible, Bekhorot is considered a Seder Kodashim (Hebrew קדשים), or “Holy Thing” hence it is found under the fifth order of the Mishnah
titled Kodashim
, tractate four, Bekhorot. The primary focus of the tractate relates to the ritual sacrifice, or slaughter, of the first-born of both human and animal. An exemption is made for the first-born son through the “ritual of redemption” in which the son is redeemed from the Kohen
for the traditional sum of five shekels of silver (ch.vii). Donkeys must also be redeemed from the Kohen, or killed (ch. i). However, according to the Kodashim, all other first-born animals (calf, lamb, or kid), pending priestly inspection of purity, must be sacrificed to God or presented as a gift to the Kohen (ch. ii-vi). Priests were required to inspect the first-born for blemishes prior to consecration. These blemishes are enumerated in both the Mishnah
and Tosefta
. The Tosefta, very similar in function and chapter placement to the Mishnah, differs in its “enumeration of the blemishes and their names.” In addition to names of blemishes, the Tosefta expands on different scenarios in which a Kohen may find himself when determining the status of a first-born, for example when a creature gives birth to an animal resembling another species.
Biblical exegeses concerning Bekhorot are not found in the Palestinian Talmud
; however, they are found in the Babylonian Talmud which comprises the third place among the Holy Scripture hierarchy. The Babylonian Talmud includes further commentary concerning purity of the first-born. In addition to the common theme of purity, the Babylonian Talmud expands on the exemption of the first-born offspring from the Tribe of Levi
, or from the priestly body of the Kohenim. The child of a Levite mother, or Kohenim, regardless whether or not the father is a Levite or Israelite, is automatically exempt from the “toll.” This exemption is due to the notion that first-born males are already born in the service of God thus redemption is not needed.
Hebrew Bible
The Hebrew Bible is a term used by biblical scholars outside of Judaism to refer to the Tanakh , a canonical collection of Jewish texts, and the common textual antecedent of the several canonical editions of the Christian Old Testament...
in which God commanded Moses in the Book of Exodus to “consecrate to Me every first-born; man and beast, the first issue of every womb among the Israelites is Mine.” It is from this commandment that Judaism
Judaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
forms the foundation of its many traditions and rituals concerning the redemption
Redemption
- Religion :* Redemption , an element of salvation to express deliverance from sin* Redemption, absolution for the past sins and/or protection from damnation* Pidyon haben, redemption of the firstborn son in Judaism...
of the first-born son and ritual slaughter
Ritual slaughter
Ritual slaughter is the practice of slaughtering livestock for meat in a ritual manner. Ritual slaughter involves a prescribed method of slaughtering an animal for food production purposes...
.
In addition to several references found in the Hebrew bible, Bekhorot is considered a Seder Kodashim (Hebrew קדשים), or “Holy Thing” hence it is found under the fifth order of the Mishnah
Mishnah
The Mishnah or Mishna is the first major written redaction of the Jewish oral traditions called the "Oral Torah". It is also the first major work of Rabbinic Judaism. It was redacted c...
titled Kodashim
Kodashim
Kodashim or Qodhashim is the fifth Order in the Mishna . Of the six Orders of the Mishna, it is the third longest...
, tractate four, Bekhorot. The primary focus of the tractate relates to the ritual sacrifice, or slaughter, of the first-born of both human and animal. An exemption is made for the first-born son through the “ritual of redemption” in which the son is redeemed from the Kohen
Kohen
A Kohen is the Hebrew word for priest. Jewish Kohens are traditionally believed and halachically required to be of direct patrilineal descent from the Biblical Aaron....
for the traditional sum of five shekels of silver (ch.vii). Donkeys must also be redeemed from the Kohen, or killed (ch. i). However, according to the Kodashim, all other first-born animals (calf, lamb, or kid), pending priestly inspection of purity, must be sacrificed to God or presented as a gift to the Kohen (ch. ii-vi). Priests were required to inspect the first-born for blemishes prior to consecration. These blemishes are enumerated in both the Mishnah
Mishnah
The Mishnah or Mishna is the first major written redaction of the Jewish oral traditions called the "Oral Torah". It is also the first major work of Rabbinic Judaism. It was redacted c...
and Tosefta
Tosefta
The Tosefta is a compilation of the Jewish oral law from the period of the Mishnah.-Overview:...
. The Tosefta, very similar in function and chapter placement to the Mishnah, differs in its “enumeration of the blemishes and their names.” In addition to names of blemishes, the Tosefta expands on different scenarios in which a Kohen may find himself when determining the status of a first-born, for example when a creature gives birth to an animal resembling another species.
Biblical exegeses concerning Bekhorot are not found in the Palestinian Talmud
Talmud
The Talmud is a central text of mainstream Judaism. It takes the form of a record of rabbinic discussions pertaining to Jewish law, ethics, philosophy, customs and history....
; however, they are found in the Babylonian Talmud which comprises the third place among the Holy Scripture hierarchy. The Babylonian Talmud includes further commentary concerning purity of the first-born. In addition to the common theme of purity, the Babylonian Talmud expands on the exemption of the first-born offspring from the Tribe of Levi
Levite
In Jewish tradition, a Levite is a member of the Hebrew tribe of Levi. When Joshua led the Israelites into the land of Canaan, the Levites were the only Israelite tribe that received cities but were not allowed to be landowners "because the Lord the God of Israel himself is their inheritance"...
, or from the priestly body of the Kohenim. The child of a Levite mother, or Kohenim, regardless whether or not the father is a Levite or Israelite, is automatically exempt from the “toll.” This exemption is due to the notion that first-born males are already born in the service of God thus redemption is not needed.