The commandment of sending away the mother bird from the nest.
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The Reward of Sending Away the Mother BirdTANAKH
The Reward of Sending Away the Mother Bird
TANAKH
The Torah promises a reward of well-being and longevity for fulfilling the commandment of Shiluach HaKen. The mitzvah instructs one to send away the mother bird before taking the eggs or fledglings, emphasizing compassion and character refinement.
The Doubts of AcherREFERENCE
The Doubts of Acher
REFERENCE
The commandment of sending away the mother bird raises profound questions about divine justice and the apparent lack of reward for fulfilling this mitzvah. Gershom Bader's biographical account of Elisha ben Avuya, a Tanna who became a heretic, delves into his existential and theological struggles with this commandment.
Rewards in the World to ComeTALMUD
Rewards in the World to Come
TALMUD
The promise of 'goodness' and 'length of days' for fulfilling the mitzvah is interpreted as referring to rewards in the World to Come, rather than in this world. The Talmud in tractate Kiddushin discusses a situation where a person fulfills two mitzvot—one involving a bird and the other honoring his parents—yet dies unexpectedly, prompting a deeper exploration of the true meaning of these promises.
Secrets of the Mother BirdMUSAR
Secrets of the Mother Bird
MUSAR
The commandment to send away the mother bird is imbued with deep mystical significance in Kabbalistic literature. In his 17th-century work, Shenei Luchot HaBerit, Rabbi Isaiah Horowitz delves into the esoteric dimensions of this commandment, drawing on extensive commentary from the Zohar and Nachmanides.
The Halakhic Dilemma of Shiluach HakenTALMUD
The Halakhic Dilemma of Shiluach Haken
TALMUD
The mitzvah of sending away the mother bird (shiluach haken) presents a unique halakhic dilemma when different species are involved. The Talmudic tractate Chullin explores complex cases, such as a pigeon resting on the eggs of a tasil and vice versa, to determine the application of this mitzvah.
The Debate Over Shiluach HaKenMISHNAH
The Debate Over Shiluach HaKen
MISHNAH
The differing opinions on the consequences of taking a bird with its fledglings highlight the complexity and depth of Jewish legal discussions. The Mishnah, a foundational Jewish legal text from around 200 CE, explores the laws of Shiluach HaKen, emphasizing compassion and respect for God's creations.
The Debate Over Sending Away the Parent BirdTALMUD
The Debate Over Sending Away the Parent Bird
TALMUD
The debate over whether one is liable for a prohibition coupled with a positive commandment, specifically in the context of taking both the parent bird and its young, reveals the complexity of Jewish law. The Jerusalem Talmud, a central text of Rabbinic Judaism, presents differing rabbinic opinions on the laws of Shiluach Haken (sending away the parent bird).
The Commandment Involving BirdsGUIDES
The Commandment Involving Birds
GUIDES
The commandment involving birds raises intriguing questions about its application to various types of birds and situations. The Babylonian Talmud, a central text in Rabbinic Judaism, delves into the complexities and legal debates surrounding this commandment.
The Ethical and Legal Dimensions of a Mitzvah Involving BirdsTOSEFTA
The Ethical and Legal Dimensions of a Mitzvah Involving Birds
TOSEFTA
The mitzvah involving the mother bird carries profound legal, ethical, and theological implications, including its role in the purification ritual of a metzora and the rewards associated with this mitzvah. The Tosefta, a late 2nd-century compilation of Jewish oral law, delves into the laws and ethical considerations surrounding the treatment of birds and the purification of a metzora, emphasizing compassion and adherence to commandments.
The Blessings of Shiluach HakenCOMMENTARY
The Blessings of Shiluach Haken
COMMENTARY
The mitzvah of 'shiluach haken' is a unique commandment that promises blessings, including long life. Joshua Kulp’s contemporary explanation of the Mishnah’s final chapter in Hullin provides a user-friendly guide to understanding this compassionate practice.