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. 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. Mishna The tractate contains nine chapters: Chapter 1 on the first-born donkey (Petter Chamor) Chapters 2-6 on the first-born of kosher cattle (calf, lamb, or kid): cases of exemption through partnership with a non-Jew (chapter 2); cases of doubt whether an animal is first-born or not (3); on first-born cattle having a blemish (4); on cases of blemishes willfully caused by the owner (5); a list of blemishes (6). Chapter 7 on the first-born son and laws of his redemption (Pidyon haben). Chapter 8 on blemishes that disqualify a priest for the sacrificial service Chapter 9 on laws concerning the animal tithe—a subject which has many things in common with the "first-born" (see Zevahim 5:8). Besides chapters 7 and 9, there are a few digressions in the tractate. 1:7 speaks of the option between redeeming the first-born donkey and killing it, and recommends the former course; a few parallels are then introduced of option between two courses, of which one is recommended. The examination of the blemishes of the first-born animal had to be done gratis (4:5,6), but an exception is made in favor of a professional veterinary surgeon, such as Ila (or Ayla; in Tosefta Bekhorot 4:11, Amlah). In the same chapter another veterinary authority is named: Theodos the physician (4:4). To take payment for giving a decision in religious matters was considered unlawful and it rendered the decision invalid (4:6). When unqualified persons caused loss through their decision, they had to compensate for the loss; not so in the case of qualified persons (4:4). Transfer of property is generally reversed in the Jubilee year; but what the first-born obtains by his birthright remains his forever. Parallel cases are given in 8:10. Tosefta In the Tosefta the treatise Bekorot has likewise the fourth place, and is divided into seven chapters. Chapter 1 corresponds to the