Difference between revisions of "Purpose of the Laws of Hybrids/2"
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<point><b>What is wrong with mixing species?</b> Though all these sources emphasize that since Hashem created each species "according to its own kind" mankind, too, must not mix species, they disagree regarding the specifics of why this is problematic:<br/> | <point><b>What is wrong with mixing species?</b> Though all these sources emphasize that since Hashem created each species "according to its own kind" mankind, too, must not mix species, they disagree regarding the specifics of why this is problematic:<br/> | ||
<ul> | <ul> | ||
| − | <li>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</li> | + | <li><b>Hubris</b> – 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.<fn>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 evidence that we are actively meant to take the world and work with it to innovate and produce on our own.</fn></li> |
| − | <li>Inability to bear offspring</li> | + | <li><b>Inability to bear offspring</b> – Both R"Y Bekhor Shor and Ramban<fn>See also Ralbag.</fn> further point out that Hashem created a world that can perpetuate itself but hybrids can't reproduce on their own, proving that the original mixing is unnatural and undesired.  </li> |
| − | <li>Order in creation/ | + | <li><b>Order in creation</b> – Ralbag and Tzeror HaMor also emphasizes how Hashem had desired an ordered world, while mixing of species introduces chaos.</li> |
</ul></point> | </ul></point> | ||
<point><b>Meaning of "כִּלְאָיִם"</b></point> | <point><b>Meaning of "כִּלְאָיִם"</b></point> | ||
Version as of 13:02, 12 February 2019
Laws of Hybrids – כלאיים
Exegetical Approaches
Preserving Natural Law
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 teh natural order He set in the world..
Sources:Philo #1, Rashbam, Ibn Ezra, R. Yosef Bekhor Shor, Chizkuni, Ramban, R. Bachya, Tur, R. Yosef ibn Kaspi, Ralbag, R. Avraham Saba, Maharal, R. S.R. Hirsch, R . David Zvi Hoffmann
What is wrong with mixing species? Though all these sources emphasize that since Hashem created each species "according to its own kind" mankind, too, must not mix species, 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
- Inability to bear offspring – 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, proving that the original mixing is unnatural and undesired.
- Order in creation – Ralbag and Tzeror HaMor also emphasizes how Hashem had desired an ordered world, while mixing of species introduces chaos.
Meaning of "כִּלְאָיִם"
"פֶּן תִּקְדַּשׁ הַמְלֵאָה"
Crossbreeding vs. Planting
"שַׁעַטְנֵז"
"לֹא תַחֲרֹשׁ בְּשׁוֹר וּבַחֲמֹר יַחְדָּו"
Biblical Parallels
Exceptions
Context
"את חקותי תשמורו"
Distancing from Idolatry
The prohibitions were instituted as a reaction to idolatrous customs, in an effort to keep the nation from imitating them.
