Shoftim 21:03 · unit 2

TT #354 · Parashas Shoftim · Seventh Aliyah · Passuk 21:03

The Complete Passuk

וְהָיָ֣ה הָעִ֔יר הַקְּרֹבָ֖ה אֶל־הֶחָלָ֑ל וְלָֽקְח֡וּ זִקְנֵי֩ הָעִ֨יר הַהִ֜וא עֶגְלַ֣ת בָּקָ֗ר אֲשֶׁ֤ר לֹֽא־עֻבַּד֙ בָּ֔הּ אֲשֶׁ֥ר לֹא־מָשְׁכָ֖ה בְּעֹֽל׃

And it shall be, the city nearest to the slain person – the elders of that city shall take a heifer of the herd that has not been worked and that has not drawn a yoke.

Chabad / Judaica Press

Source Citation

Torah Temimah points to Sotah 46a.

TT lemma: עֶגְלַת בָּקָר.

Sefaria — Sotah 46a

Core Text of Chazal

Core Text
עֶגְלַת בָּקָר – בַּת שְׁנָתָהּ.

English: ‘A heifer of the herd’ – in its first year.

On the daf / in context: The age of the animal is specified by tradition.

Type of Learning

Derash on the age of the heifer (Bavli) — a young animal is required.

What Is Learned

The heifer used for the rite is a young animal of the herd, in its first year.