Pisqa’ 99¹

1

“You may not eat anything that is abominable” (Dt.14:3).

R. Eliezer says:

On what basis do we know that

one who tears the ear of a Firstling,

and then eats of it

transgresses the proscription

[against eating what is abominable]?²

The Teaching states:

“You may not eat anything that is abominable” (Dt.14:3­).

Others say:

the verse refers [specifically] to

consecrated [cattle] that are disqualified

[due to an accidental blemish]. ³

2

The term abominable is stated here (Dt.14:3),

and the term abominable is stated elsewhere:

“Do not slaughter . . . an ox or a sheep which has . . . any sort of blemish,

for it is abominable to HASHEM your God” (Dt.17:1).

Just as abominable, appearing elsewhere (Dt.17:1),

refers to consecrated [cattle] that are disqualified

[due to any sort of disfiguring blemish],

so, too, abominable appearing here (Dt.14:3),

refers to consecrated [cattle] that are disqualified

[due to any sort of disfiguring blemish].

1. H:146;JN1:256.
2. The assumed rule is that one who intentionally maims a Firstling is prohibited all benefit from the animal until that animal suffers a second, unintended, maiming. It may then be slaughtered for food or any other purpose.
3. Cf. M. Bech. 5:3