Purpose of the Laws of Hybrids/2

Laws of Hybrids – כלאיים

Exegetical Approaches

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Preserving Natural Order

When Hashem created the world, He made each plant and animal according to its species, and mandated that each species should reproduce according to it own kind. Crossbreeding and other mixing of species is prohibited because it goes against Hashem's plan of creation and the natural order He set in the world..

Sources:PhiloThe Special Laws IV: 208-217About Philo #1, RashbamVayikra 19:19About R. Shemuel b. Meir, Ibn EzraVayikra 19:19Devarim 22:9-12About R. Avraham ibn Ezra, R. Yosef Bekhor ShorVayikra 19:19About R. Yosef Bekhor Shor, ChizkuniVayikra 19:19Devarim 22:9-11About R. Chizkiyah b. Manoach, RambanVayikra 19:19Devarim 22:10About R. Moshe b. Nachman, R. BachyaVayikra 19:19Devarim 22:10About R. Bachya b. Asher, TurLong Commentary Vayikra 19:19About R. Yaakov b. Asher, R. Yosef ibn KaspiVayikra 19:19About R. Yosef ibn Kaspi, RalbagVayikra 19:19About R. Levi b. Gershom, R. Avraham SabaTzeror HaMor Vayikra 19:9About R. Avraham Saba (Tzeror HaMor), MaharalGur Aryeh Vayikra 19:19About R. Judah Loew of Prague, R. S.R. HirschVayikra 19:19About R. Samson Raphael Hirsch, R . David Zvi HoffmannVayikra 19:19Devarim 22:9About R. David Zvi Hoffmann

What is wrong with mixing species? All these sources emphasize that since Hashem created each species "according to its own kind," mankind, too, must not mix species. Yet, they disagree regarding the specifics of why this is problematic:

• Hubris – R"Y Bekhor Shor points out that there is a certain hubris in crossbreeding, as if one is trying to turn one's self into Creator, usurping the role of God. Ramban adds that in so doing it is as if one is questioning the perfection of Hashem's world and suggesting that it needs improvement.¹
• Harming creation – Both R"Y Bekhor Shor and Ramban² further point out that Hashem created a world that can perpetuate itself, but hybrids can't reproduce on their own. As such, in creating such hybrids, man reduces the good inherent in Hashem's creation.
• Introducing disorder into the world – Tzeror HaMor and R. Hoffmann also emphasize how Hashem had desired an ordered world, while mixing of species introduces chaos.
• Less recognition of Hashem – By acting contrary to Hashem's creation,

Crossbreeding vs. Planting – Even though planting seeds of different species one next to another will not create a cross-breed, R"Y Bekhor Shor claims that it is prohibited as a precaution, since it is possible that accidentally the mixed seeds will combine and create a new plant. Rashbam, Ibn Ezra and R. Hirsch, instead assume that the action is prohibited since, regardless of the ability to create a hybrid, it serves as a reminder that mixing species goes against Hashem's creation.

"שַׁעַטְנֵז"

"לֹא תַחֲרֹשׁ בְּשׁוֹר וּבַחֲמֹר יַחְדָּו" – These commentators disagree whether this commandment is related to the other prohibitions of mixing species or if it is prohibited for different reasons:

• Connected – R"Y Bekhor Shor and Ramban³ assert that plowing with an ox and donkey is prohibited as a precaution against crossbreeding.⁴  Rashbam and  R. Hirsch, instead, maintain that the prohibition reminds man of Hashem's desire that everything be created "according to its own kind".
• Unconnected – Ibn Ezra and Chizkuni disconnect this prohibition from those of כלאיים, suggesting that it relates instead to those laws regarding care of animals and not causing them distress.  Since the two animals have different strengths, it is unfair to the weaker animal to work them together.⁵

Meaning of "כִּלְאָיִם"

"פֶּן תִּקְדַּשׁ הַמְלֵאָה"

Biblical Parallels

Exceptions

Context

"את חקותי תשמורו"

Preventative Measure

Distancing from Idolatry

The prohibitions were instituted as a reaction to idolatrous customs, in an effort to keep the nation from imitating them.

Sources:RambamMoreh Nevukhim 3:37About R. Moshe b. Maimon, ShadalVayikra 19:19About R. Shemuel David Luzzatto

Preventing Inappropriate Sexual Acts

The prohibition against mixing species is meant to teach people not to engage in similarly inappropriate pairings and sexual relations.

Sources:Philo The Special Laws IV: 203-217About Philo#1, Josephus#2, Akeidat Yitzchak

Caring for the Land & Animals

Mixing of species harms one or both members of the mixture, and in the case of produce, also the land in which they are sown.

Sources:PhiloThe Special Laws IV: 208-217About Philo #3, Josephus4 8:114 8:20About Josephus Antiquities of the Jews #1,

¹ The Maharal questions this, pointing out that in many areas of life man "improves" upon God's creation, turning wheat into flour, baking bread, and circumcising a child. He quotes Bereshit Rabbah 11:6 which states, "כָּל מַה שֶּׁנִּבְרָא בְּשֵׁשֶׁת יְמֵי בְרֵאשִׁית צְרִיכִין עֲשִׂיָה, כְּגוֹן הַחַרְדָּל צָרִיךְ לְמִתּוּק. הַתּוּרְמוּסִים צָרִיךְ לְמִתּוּק. הַחִטִּין צְרִיכִין לְהִטָּחֵן. אֲפִלּוּ אָדָם צָרִיךְ תִּקּוּן".  One might point to Hashem's command to Adam "מִלְאוּ אֶת הָאָרֶץ וְכִבְשֻׁהָ" as further evidence that we are actively meant to take the world and work with it to innovate and produce on our own.

² See also Ralbag.

³ See also R. D"Z Hoffmann.

⁴ Ramban explains that it was common for a farmer to bring his work animals to breed together by the troughs.

⁵ Chizkuni, instead, explains that since an ox chews its cud while a donkey does not, it would cause suffering to the donkey to watch the ox chew while it has nothing to eat.