Torah.org Home Subscribe Services Support Us
 
Print Version

Email this article to a friend


52. Firstborn [and Animal Tithes] - Bechoros

We are commanded to set aside all male firstborn of humans, clean animals, and asses, as it says "Sanctify to Me every firstborn of the children of Israel, everything that opens the womb of man and of animal".1 Human and asses' firstborn are redeemed and their redemption price belongs to the priests; but the firstborn of a clean animal cannot be redeemed -- it is offered as a sacrifice and the priests eat its flesh in Jerusalem, as it says "[And Ha-Shem said to Aaron... everything that opens the womb... of man and animal shall be yours;] but you shall redeem the human firstborn and the firstborn of the unclean animal you shall redeem... but a firstborn ox or firstborn sheep or firstborn goat you shall not redeem; they are holy... and their flesh shall be yours"2; [and it says "You must not eat in your gates... the firstborn of your cattle and flocks... rather, before Ha-Shem your G-d you shall eat it..."3]. If it cannot be offered as a sacrifice because of a blemish it still belongs to the priests, as it says "[Every firstborn that is born in your sheep and cattle you shall declare holy to Ha-Shem your G-d... before Ha-Shem your G-d you shall eat it...] but if it has a blemish... you shall not sacrifice it to Ha-Shem your G-d; you shall eat it in your gates...".4 This commandment applies even when the Temple does not exist, in which case nothing can be done with a firstborn that has no blemish.a

We are commanded to set aside one out of every ten cattle, sheep or goats that are born in our possession each year, and it is forbidden to redeem them, as it says "And all tithes of cattle and flocks... the tenth shall be holy to Ha-Shem... it shall not be redeemed".5 The sages instituted that this not be done when the Temple does not exist. It is offered as a sacrifice and the owner eats its flesh in Jerusalem; if it has a blemish it can be eaten anywhere.b

Sources:

1. Ex. 13:2 a. 1:1-5,10,17
2. Num. 18:15-18 b. 6:1-2,4
3. Deut. 12:17-18
4. Deut. 15:19,21
5. Lev. 27:32-33


Please Support TORAH.ORG
Print Version       Email this article to a friend

 

ARTICLES ON BALAK:

View Complete List

Coincidence?
Rabbi Dovid Green - 5757

Three Festivals: The Holy Journey
Rabbi Osher Chaim Levene - 5767

A Question Brings Hope
Shlomo Katz - 5765

Email Sponsorship

Red Heifer and the Death of the Righteous
Rabbi Yissocher Frand - 5762

Our Achilles' Heel
Rabbi Berel Wein - 5764

A Real Yiddishe Kup!
Rabbi Label Lam - 5766

The Everything Torah Book

Why was Balak Worried?
Rabbi Yaakov Menken - 5757

The Fourth Patriarch
Rabbi Yisroel Ciner - 5761

Bilam: A Perfect Tzadik?
Shlomo Katz - 5761

ArtScroll

Was G-d Bilaam's Agent?
Rabbi Yissocher Frand - 5761

The Parah Paradox
Rabbi Yissocher Frand - 5756

Pray for the 'Right' Person
Shlomo Katz - 5758

From Amidst The Ashes
Rabbi Pinchas Winston - 5764

Balak: Can You See It?
Shlomo Katz - 5764

Tents Where Torah is Studied
Shlomo Katz - 5767

Bilaam was a 'Spiritual' Man
Rabbi Label Lam - 5758


Learning Events and Programs

Project Genesis

Torah.org Home


Torah Portion

Jewish Law

Ethics

Texts

Learn the Basics

Seasons

Features

TORAHAUDIO

Ask The Rabbi

Knowledge Base

Discussion Forum




Help

About Us

Contact Us


Enable popup menus


Download to my HandHeld


Torah.org Home
Torah.org HomeCapalon.com Copyright Information