Home -- Content: Series 7 (Laws) -- Translation: English -- Book: 1 (Tora) -- Part: 2 (Negative) -- Prohibition: 108 -- Text
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The Sharia of Moses in the TORA
Part 2 - The 365 Prohibitions of the Tora
108 - REDEEMING THE FIRSTLING OF A CLEAN BEAST
Numbers 18:17 -- “But the firstborn of a cow, the firstborn of a sheep, or the firstborn of a goat you shall not redeem; they are holy. You shall sprinkle their blood on the altar, and burn their fat as an offering made by fire for a sweet aroma to the LORD.”
The firstling may be sold, as is explained in Tractate Bekoroth.* In the time of the Temple, it could be sold only if blemished; at present, it may be sold even in perfect condition.** Violation of this commandment does not entail whipping, since any attempt to redeem the firstling of a clean beast is invalid, and the firstling retains its original hallowed status.
* Bek. 31b (Sonc. ed. pp. 200f)
** Mishneh Torah, Korbanoth, Hilchoth Bekoroth I, 17
** Mishneh Torah, Korbanoth, Hilchoth Bekoroth I, 17