Zevachim 71a (עא.) — the Talmud in English

The Mishna presents several cases in which the ox is forbidden for sacrifice because a transgression was committed with it, such as:

1.

Or

that it killed

the ox

a person on the testimony of one witness,

as two witnesses did not come to testify about this in court, but only one witness came; therefore, the ox was not sentenced to death [as is the law with an ox that kills a person]. Nevertheless, it is disqualified for sacrifice because of the testimony of the one witness [as it is stated: “from the flock,” excluding one that gored].

2.

Or

that the ox killed a person, and there were no witnesses at all concerning this, but it is disqualified for sacrifice

on the basis of

the admission of

the owner,

who admitted before the court that his ox had killed a person. The court does not sentence the ox to death on the basis of its owner’s admission; rather, its law is that of one who admits liability for a fine, who is exempt from death, but the ox is disqualified for sacrifice to the Most High.

3. Or if one witness testified, or the owner admitted, that the ox was disqualified for sacrifice

as

disqualified

one that mated with a person,

that the ox mated with a person, or

as

disqualified

one that was mated with,

that a person mated with the ox. The ox is not forbidden for eating, since it is not subject to death, as there were not two witnesses that it mated with a person or was mated with; its only disqualification is for sacrifice.

4. Or if one witness testified, or the owner admitted, that the ox was

as

disqualified

designated,

that this ox had been designated for idolatry, and as

worshiped,

that it had been made into an idol and worshiped.

5. Or with the disqualification of

the fee

of a prostitute,

and

with the disqualification of

the price

of a dog.