Ki Seitzei 21:17 · unit 14

TT #64 · Parashas Ki Seitzei · First aliya · Passuk 21:17

The Complete Passuk

כִּי֩ אֶת־הַבְּכֹ֨ר בֶּן־הַשְּׂנוּאָ֜ה יַכִּ֗יר לָ֤תֶת לוֹ֙ פִּ֣י שְׁנַ֔יִם בְּכֹ֥ל אֲשֶׁר־יִמָּצֵ֖א ל֑וֹ כִּי־הוּא֙ רֵאשִׁ֣ית אֹנ֔וֹ ל֖וֹ מִשְׁפַּ֥ט הַבְּכֹרָֽה׃

But he shall acknowledge the firstborn, the son of the hated, by giving him a double portion of all that is found with him; for he is the first of his strength, the right of the firstborn is his.

Chabad.org — 21:17

Source Citation

Torah Temimah points to Sifrei Devarim.

Sefaria — Sifrei Devarim

Core Text of Chazal

Core Text
מִשְׁפַּט הַבְּכוֹרָה – מִשְׁפַּט, מְלַמֵּד שֶׁהַבְּכוֹרָה יוֹצְאָה בַּדַּיָּנִים.

English: “The right of the firstborn” — “mishpat” teaches that the firstborn’s portion is extracted by means of judges.

On the daf / in context: The word “mishpat” indicates that the firstborn may sue his brothers in court to obtain the double portion if they refuse to give it voluntarily.

Type of Learning

Derash on the word “mishpat.”

What Is Learned

The firstborn may enforce his double portion through the courts if the other heirs refuse to grant it.