Bekhorot

And R. Judah b. Ami reported in the name of Rab Judah: A beth ha-peras which has been trodden is levitically clean.1 Or, we may also say: [The Mishnah refers] to other impurities,2 concerning which he is not warned [against coming into contact]. IF HE WAS AN OLD MAN, HE MOUNTS HIM ON AN ASS. A Tanna taught: He receives payment on the scale of a workman with nothing to do. [What does the expression ‘an idle workman’ mean, since it does not render him idle?] — Abaye said: He pays the priest like a workman idle from his particular occupation.3 MISHNAH. IF ONE IS SUSPECTED IN CONNECTION WITH FIRSTLINGS,4 EVEN DEER'S FLESH5 WE MUST NOT BUY FROM HIM, NOR UNDRESSED HIDES. R. ELIEZER SAYS: FEMALE HIDES WE MAY BUY FROM HIM. WASHED OR DIRTY WOOL WE MUST NOT BUY FROM HIM BUT SPUN WOOL OR GARMENTS WE MAY BUY FROM HIM. GEMARA. [The reason for prohibiting] deer's flesh is because it might be exchanged for calf's flesh. Undressed skins are forbidden [to be bought], thus implying that dressed skins we may buy. What is the reason? — If there was any substance in the suspicion that they might be of a firstling, he would not have troubled in the matter, reflecting thus: If the Rabbis heard about me,6 they would make me forfeit them. R. ELIEZER SAYS: FEMALE HIDES WE MAY BUY FROM HIM. What is the reason? — It is easily recognized.7 And the first Tanna?8 If this be so, then in the case of a male also he might cut away the male genital9 and maintain that mice have devoured it. And the other? — The action of mice is easily recognized. WASHED OR DIRTY WOOL WE MUST NOT BUY FROM HIM. If we must not purchase washed wool10 [from], him is there any question about dirty wool? — Rather this is stated as one case: Wool washed from its dirt. BUT SPUN WOOL OR GARMENTS WE MAY BUY FROM HIM. Now if we must not buy spun wool, is there any question as to garments?11 — The kind of garments meant are felt spreadings.12 MISHNAH. IF ONE IS SUSPECTED OF IGNORING THE SABBATICAL YEAR,13 FLAX MUST NOT BE BOUGHT FROM HIM, EVEN CARDED;14 BUT SPUN OR WOVEN WOOL MAY BE BOUGHT FROM HIM. GEMARA. Now if spun wool may be bought, is there any question with regard to woven wool?15 — ‘Woven’ means here twists.16 MISHNAH. IF ONE IS SUSPECTED OF SELLING TERUMAH AS HULLIN, EVEN WATER AND SALT MUST NOT BE BOUGHT FROM HIM.17 THESE ARE THE WORDS OF R. JUDAH. R. SIMEON SAYS: WHATEVER COMES UNDER THE OBLIGATION OF TERUMAH AND TITHES MUST NOT BE BOUGHT FROM HIM. GEMARA. [The expression ‘WHATEVER’ of R. Simeon], what does it include? — It includes the entrails of fish in which oil is mixed.18 There was a certain butcher suspected of selling could remain to cause uncleanness, v. Pes. 92b. corpse. less than what he receives for his normal work. But if his work was of an arduous kind for which he received say, three zuz, then if he had invited him to take a zuz for much lighter work, he would probably have accepted the offer, This is therefore what the priest receives now for his services which prevented him following his occupation, but not the whole of his usual wages, as the work which the priest is performing for him is not arduous. firstling calf, pretending that it is deer's flesh. would not dress the skins, if they came from firstlings, observe a difference in the skins! work of mice. that the Rabbis might hear of the case and he would as a result have to forfeit it.