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Deuteronomy 14:14 - Ravens: Kosher or forbidden?

Deuteronomy 14:14 - דברים 14:14

Hebrew Text

וְאֵת כָּל־עֹרֵב לְמִינוֹ׃

English Translation

and every raven after its kind,

Transliteration

Ve'et kol-orev lemino.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְאֵ֥ת כׇּל־עֹרֵ֖ב לְמִינֽוֹ׃
וְאֵ֥ת כׇּל־עֹרֵ֖ב לְמִינֽוֹ׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Understanding the Phrase "וְאֵת כָּל־עֹרֵב לְמִינוֹ"

The verse "וְאֵת כָּל־עֹרֵב לְמִינוֹ" ("and every raven after its kind") appears in Vayikra (Leviticus) 11:15, within the context of the Torah's listing of non-kosher birds. The raven (orev) is singled out as forbidden for consumption, along with other birds of prey or scavengers.

Rashi's Commentary on the Raven

Rashi (Vayikra 11:15) explains that the raven is included among the non-kosher birds due to its predatory and cruel nature. He notes that the raven does not show mercy even to its own offspring, a trait that renders it spiritually unfit for consumption. This aligns with the broader Torah principle that kosher animals and birds must exhibit traits of compassion and docility.

Midrashic Insights

The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 33:5) elaborates on the raven’s behavior during the time of Noach. When Noach sent the raven from the Ark, it refused to fulfill its mission of scouting for dry land, demonstrating its untrustworthy nature. This Midrash reinforces the idea that the raven’s character traits make it unsuitable for consumption.

Halachic Implications

Rambam (Hilchot Ma’achalot Asurot 1:15) categorizes the raven as one of the birds explicitly prohibited by the Torah. The phrase "לְמִינוֹ" ("after its kind") indicates that all species resembling the raven in behavior or physical characteristics are likewise forbidden, unless tradition explicitly identifies them as kosher.

Symbolic Meaning

  • The raven is often associated with impurity and negativity in Jewish thought, symbolizing greed and lack of restraint.
  • Its exclusion from kosher birds teaches a moral lesson about distancing oneself from negative traits such as cruelty and selfishness.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does 'every raven after its kind' mean in Deuteronomy 14:14?
A: The verse lists non-kosher birds that are forbidden to eat according to Jewish law. 'Every raven after its kind' means all varieties or species similar to the raven are also non-kosher. Rashi explains this teaches that similar-looking birds share the same prohibition.
Q: Why does the Torah specifically mention ravens in the list of non-kosher birds?
A: The Talmud (Chullin 63a) explains that ravens are mentioned as a representative example of a larger category of forbidden birds. The Midrash (Sifrei Devarim) notes ravens were singled out because they exhibit cruel characteristics, teaching that what an animal eats affects its nature.
Q: How do we identify which birds are kosher today?
A: The Rambam (Hilchot Ma'achalot Asurot 1:15-16) explains we rely on tradition for identifying kosher birds since the Torah doesn't provide clear signs. Only birds with a mesorah (reliable tradition) of being permitted may be eaten. The Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 82) lists identifying features like an extra toe or crop.
Q: What lesson can we learn from the prohibition against eating ravens?
A: The Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 157) teaches that forbidden birds often have negative traits like cruelty. By avoiding them, we distance ourselves from those characteristics. The Vilna Gaon adds that kosher laws elevate us spiritually by making us mindful of what we consume.