Chapter 177 – Firstborn of Clean Animals

177.1 ) The owner of an animal giving birth should say, “This is holy. Thou shalt sanctify unto the Lord thy G-d.”

177.2) You may give the animal to the kohen, if he asks for it and it has no blemish.

177.3) The kohen (priest) may not refuse to take the animal because he thinks it is too much trouble to raise until the animal receives a blemish.

177.4 ) Keep the firstborn until it receives a blemish.

177.5) When a firstborn sustains a blemish, check men competent to determine if the animal may be used.

177.6) The kohen has a duty to keep the firstborn until it has a blemish.

177.7) Do not flay the firstborn from the feet upward.

177.8) If the firstborn is slaughtered and is ritually unfit for use, you may not derive any benefit from the skin or meat. It must be buried.

177.9) You may not fleece the firstborn or perform any work with it.

177.10) The firstborn becomes qualified for use only when it receives a blemish.

177.11) Do not make a blemish in a firstborn.

177.12) If a cow you buy from a non-Jew gives birth, the birth of the calf is considered of doubtful primogeniture.

177.13) Priest and Levites are subject to the law regarding the firstborn of a clean animal.

177.14) If a non-Jew and a Jew own an animal together, it is exempt from the firstborn law.

177.15) It is commendable to sell a clean animal to a non-Jew before she gives birth.