Bekorot (Hebrew: בכורות, "First-borns") is the name of a tractate of the Mishnah and Talmud which discusses the laws of first-born animals and humans. It is one of the tractates forming Seder Kodashim (Hebrew סדר קודשים, "Order of Holy Things").
The primary focus of the tractate relates to the ritual sacrifice (or slaughter) of first-born animals.[1] Priests were required to inspect the first-born for blemishes prior to consecration. These blemishes are enumerated in both the Mishnah and Tosefta. An exemption is made for the first-born son, who is "redeemed" in the Pidyon haben ceremony.[2]
- ^ Encyclopaedia Judaica (2nd Ed., Vol III. ed.). MacMillan Reference USA.
- ^ The Oxford Dictionary of the Jewish Religion. Oxford University Press. 1997. ISBN 978-0-19-508605-8.