Purpose of the Laws of Hybrids/2
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Laws of Hybrids – כלאיים
Exegetical Approaches
Preserving Natural Law
The laws of hybrids remind mankind of Hashem's creation "each according to his species", and mandate that man, too, should abide by this natural law. attempt to change the natural order of the world as created by Hashem. When Hashem created the world, he made each tree and animal according to its species, and mandated that each species should reproduce according to it own kind. Crossbreeding, then, goes against Hashem's plan of creation
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 - Inability to bear offspring
- Order in creation/Proper place for all
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.
