Bechoros 1:2 - 1:3

פרה שילדה כמין חמור וחמור שילדה כמין סוס פטור (a cow that gave birth to a donkey of so) – if [the Mishnah] taught [only] “a cow that gave birth to a donkey of sorts” but did not teach “a donkey that gave birth to a horse of sorts,” I might say that the cow that gave birth to a donkey of sorts is that which is exempt from [their offspring being counted] as a firstborn, because they are not at all similar to each other, for this one (i.e., the cow) has horns and that one (i.e., the donkey) does not have horns, for this one (i.e., the cow), its hoofs are cloven but that one (i.e., the donkey), its hoofs are closed, but a donkey which gave birth to a horse of sorts, I might say that that it (i.e., the horse of sorts) is a red donkey and it is obligated [for its offspring to be counted as a firstborn]. But if it (i.e., the Mishnah) had only taught the concluding clause and did not teach the opening clause, I would say that the donkey that gave birth to a horse of sorts is exempt from [its offspring being counted as a firstborn] because a horse is not sanctified with a firstborn, but a cow that gave birth to a donkey of sorts where both of them are sanctified through the firstborn, I might say that it (i.e., the donkey of sorts) is obligated [for its offspring to be counted as a firstborn. Therefore, both phrases are necessary.

פטר חמור פטר חמור שני פעמים – one in “Sanctify to me all firstborns” (Exodus 13:12) and the other in (the beginning of the Torah reading for Shabbat Hol HaMoed Passover and Sukkot – beginning with Exodus 33:12 and extending to Exodus 34:26) “See you say to me,” (Exodus 34:20).

מהו באכילה – that is to say, an animal where the birth mother is not similar to the animal born- what is the Halakha with regard to their consumption/eating?

שהיוצא מן הטמא טמא – and the honey of bees and hornets. It is permitted and is not called that which comes out from the impure, because it does not squeeze/wring it out from their flesh but rather, they bring it into their bodies, since they consume from the flours of the trees and from them the honey is made. But the milk of a human is permitted as I explained, but to suck from the breasts of a woman is prohibited. And all the rest of the milk of impure animals and wildlife, they come from that which is impure and is forbidden.

דג טמא שבלע דג טהור – even though we did not see it that it swallowed it, for since most fish breed with their own kind, it is like it swallowed in our presence.

נותן טלה אחד לכהן – in redemption. For whichever way you look at it, one of them is a firstborn.

זכר ונקבה - and it is not known if the male came out first and he is the firstborn, or the female came out first, and there isn’t here the law of the firstborn.

מפריש טלה – because of doubt, and he releases from him the holiness of the redemption of the donkey.

והוא לעצמו- that he himself will consume the lamb and he will not give it to the Kohen, for the Kohen is like someone who removes something from his fellow, and the proof is upon him to bring witnesses that the male came out first. But there is no prohibition, for even the firstling of a complete donkey that was redeemed with a young sheep, furthermore there is no sanctity neither with him or that which he redeems it with. But rather where there is theft, if he does not give a lamb to the Kohen, that is his (i.e., the Kohen’s) money, but here there is no theft for there is a doubt.

שתי חמורות וילדו כו' – a male and female, he gives one lamb to a Kohen because of the male [firstborn]. Or, two males and one female, that one gave birth to a male and one gave birth to a male and female, or alternatively, one gave birth to two males and one gave birth to a female, we give one lamb to the Kohen for certainly there is one male that is definitely a firstborn, but regarding the other where there is a doubt lest the female was born first, we set aside a lamb and it is for himself.

שני זכרים ושני נקבות – they are of doubt, for perhaps each one of them gave birth to a male and a female, and perhaps the females came out first, therefore, the Kohen does not have anything here, but he designates for them two lambs to release them from their sin and they are for themselves (i.e., the owners), such My teachers explained. But Maimonides holds that there is nothing for the Kohen her and even a lamb for himself he does not have to separate/dedicate, because there is in each one [of these donkeys] a great down when they gave birth to two females and one male, for perhaps one of the two of them gave birth to two females and the other gave birth to a male. Or perhaps, this one gave birth to a female, and the other [gave birth to] a male and afterwards a female, or a female and afterwards a male. mal And similarly there are many doubts with [offspring of] two males and two females, therefore even one lamb for himself he does not designate/separate, and the explanation of my Rabbis is the essential principle.