Mitzvah —
278
To break the neck of the donkey if the owner does not intend to redeem it
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וְכׇל־פֶּ֤טֶר חֲמֹר֙ תִּפְדֶּ֣ה בְשֶׂ֔ה וְאִם־לֹ֥א תִפְדֶּ֖ה וַעֲרַפְתּ֑וֹ וְכֹ֨ל בְּכ֥וֹר אָדָ֛ם בְּבָנֶ֖יךָ תִּפְדֶּֽה׃ - פָּרָשַׁת בֹּא
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Exodus 13:13 - "And every firstborn donkey you shall redeem with a lamb, and if you do not redeem [it], you shall decapitate it, and every firstborn of man among your sons, you shall redeem."
This Mitzvah's Summary
מִצְוָה עֲשֵׂה - Positive Commandment
מִצְוָה לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה - Negative Commandment
Agriculture – חַקְלָאוּת
If a firstborn donkey is not redeemed with a lamb or goat, its neck must be broken.
This mitzvah follows directly from the command to redeem a donkey. If the owner refuses to redeem it, he must not keep the donkey for personal use. Instead, he must perform arifah (breaking its neck), rendering it forbidden for benefit.
The mitzvah demonstrates that neglecting redemption wastes potential blessing — highlighting the importance of fulfilling Hashem’s commands. The destruction serves as a deterrent: better to redeem and sanctify than to lose entirely.
While the donkey is non-kosher and not used for food, it had great value as a beast of burden. Losing it through arifah emphasizes obedience to Hashem’s laws above material gain.
Commentary & Classical Explanation:
- Rambam (Hilchot Bikkurim 12:2): Rules that failure to redeem requires breaking the donkey’s neck, ensuring the owner gains no benefit.
- Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 23): Teaches that the root is to instill reverence for Hashem’s command. Refusal to redeem is punished by complete loss.
- Talmud (Bekhorot 11a): Explains that arifah is a mitzvah in its own right, not just a penalty.
- Rashi (Exodus 13:13): Notes that breaking its neck symbolizes the consequence of withholding from the Kohen — one loses entirely instead of sanctifying.
Commentaries
(Source: Chabad.org)
Applying this Mitzvah Today
Notes on this Mitzvah's Fundamentals
Faith – אֱמוּנָה
- Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 23) writes that the mitzvah instills faith by showing that refusing Hashem’s redemption command leads to loss. It affirms that true blessing comes only through obedience.
Reverence – יִרְאַת שָׁמַיִם
- Rambam (Hilchot Bikkurim 12:2) explains that arifah forces reverence for Hashem’s will — the donkey may not be kept or benefited from, teaching awe and submission to Divine authority.
Holiness – קְדֻשָּׁה
- Talmud (Bekhorot 11a) states that arifah is itself a mitzvah, not just a punishment. Even in destruction, the act sanctifies Hashem’s command by ensuring no misuse of what is consecrated.
Agriculture – חַקְלָאוּת
- Donkeys were essential for labor and transport. The mitzvah teaches that livelihood is not purely practical but bound by Divine law, even when it means forfeiting material benefit.
Animals – בְּהֵמוֹת
- Rashi (Exodus 13:13) notes the irony: the donkey, meant to symbolize wealth carried from Egypt, is wasted when not redeemed. This highlights the Torah’s compassion and precision regarding animals.
Priests – כֹּהֲנִים
- The loss occurs only because the Kohen was denied his due. By removing benefit from the owner, the mitzvah protects the Kohanim’s rights and reminds the people of their obligation.
Justice – צֶדֶק
- The mitzvah enforces justice by preventing selfish withholding. Refusing to give the Kohen his gift results in complete forfeiture, ensuring fairness in the community.
Community – קְהִלָּה
- When the owner suffers loss through arifah, the community witnesses the consequence of neglect. This public element reinforces collective responsibility toward mitzvot.
Bein Adam L’Makom – בֵּין אָדָם לְמָקוֹם
- At its core, this mitzvah is about loyalty to Hashem. By mandating loss when His will is ignored, it emphasizes that Divine authority governs even material possessions.
