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.
English: “To give him” — it was taught: the firstborn does not take a double portion in the appreciation that the assets gained after the father’s death, for the verse says “to give him a double portion”; the Merciful One called it a gift. Just as a gift is effective only once it reaches the recipient’s hand, so the firstborn’s share is only in what has already reached the estate.
On the daf / in context: Increases that occur after death (e.g., unripe produce that later ripens) are not subject to the double portion. Natural growth that does not change the identity of the asset is treated differently.
Type of Learning
Gezerah shavah / comparison of bechorah to a gift.
What Is Learned
The firstborn does not receive a double share of post-death appreciation of the estate assets.