Purpose of the Laws of Hybrids/2

Laws of Hybrids – כלאיים

Exegetical Approaches

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Preserving Natural Law

The laws of hybrids remind mankind of Hashem's creation "each according to his species", and prohibit man from acting against this natural law as set by Hashem..

Sources:PhiloThe Special Laws IV: 208-217About Philo #1, RashbamVayikra 19:19About R. Shemuel b. Meir, Ibn EzraVayikra 19:19Devarim 22:9-12Devarim 22:10About 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 HoffmannDevarim 22:9About R. David Zvi Hoffmann

What is wrong with mixing species?

• Order in creation
• Proper place for all
• Hubris
• Inability to bear offspring

Meaning of "כִּלְאָיִם"

"פֶּן תִּקְדַּשׁ הַמְלֵאָה"

Crossbreeding vs. Planting

"שַׁעַטְנֵז"

"לֹא תַחֲרֹשׁ בְּשׁוֹר וּבַחֲמֹר יַחְדָּו"

Biblical Parallels

Exceptions

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

Caring for the Land 

PhiloThe Special Laws IV: 208-217About Philo #2, Josephus4 8:114 8:20About Josephus Antiquities of the Jews #1,

Guarding Against Sexual Perversions

Josephus4 8:114 8:20About Josephus Antiquities of the Jews #2, Akeidat YitzchakVayikra Peirush 19About R. Yitzchak Arama