Shoftim 21:03 · unit 7

TT #359 · 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 Sifrei Devarim 206.

TT lemma: עֶגְלַת בָּקָר.

Sefaria — Sifrei Devarim 206

Core Text of Chazal

Core Text
עֶגְלַת בָּקָר – וְלֹא פָרָה.

English: ‘A heifer of the herd’ – and not a full-grown cow.

On the daf / in context: A young female is required.

Type of Learning

Derash specifying the animal (Sifrei) — the term eglah indicates a young heifer.

What Is Learned

The animal must be a heifer (young female of the cattle), not a mature cow.