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Deuteronomy 22:6 - Mother bird's kindness mandate?

Deuteronomy 22:6 - דברים 22:6

Hebrew Text

כִּי יִקָּרֵא קַן־צִפּוֹר לְפָנֶיךָ בַּדֶּרֶךְ בְּכָל־עֵץ אוֹ עַל־הָאָרֶץ אֶפְרֹחִים אוֹ בֵיצִים וְהָאֵם רֹבֶצֶת עַל־הָאֶפְרֹחִים אוֹ עַל־הַבֵּיצִים לֹא־תִקַּח הָאֵם עַל־הַבָּנִים׃

English Translation

If a bird’s nest chance to be before thee in the way in any tree, or on the ground, whether they be young ones, or eggs, and the mother bird sitting upon the young, or upon the eggs, thou shalt not take the mother bird together with the young:

Transliteration

Ki yikare kan-tzipor lefanecha baderech bechol-etz o al-haaretz efrochim o beitzim veha'em rovetzet al-ha'efrochim o al-habeitzim lo-tikach ha'em al-habanim.

Hebrew Leining Text

כִּ֣י יִקָּרֵ֣א <sup class="footnote-marker">*</sup><i class="footnote">(בספרי תימן <big>קַ</big>ן בקו״ף גדולה)</i>קַן־צִפּ֣וֹר <small>׀</small> לְפָנֶ֡יךָ בַּדֶּ֜רֶךְ בְּכׇל־עֵ֣ץ <b>׀</b> א֣וֹ עַל־הָאָ֗רֶץ אֶפְרֹחִים֙ א֣וֹ בֵיצִ֔ים וְהָאֵ֤ם רֹבֶ֙צֶת֙ עַל־הָֽאֶפְרֹחִ֔ים א֖וֹ עַל־הַבֵּיצִ֑ים לֹא־תִקַּ֥ח הָאֵ֖ם עַל־הַבָּנִֽים׃
כִּ֣י יִקָּרֵ֣א *(בספרי תימן קַן בקו״ף גדולה)קַן־צִפּ֣וֹר ׀ לְפָנֶ֡יךָ בַּדֶּ֜רֶךְ בְּכׇל־עֵ֣ץ ׀ א֣וֹ עַל־הָאָ֗רֶץ אֶפְרֹחִים֙ א֣וֹ בֵיצִ֔ים וְהָאֵ֤ם רֹבֶ֙צֶת֙ עַל־הָֽאֶפְרֹחִ֔ים א֖וֹ עַל־הַבֵּיצִ֑ים לֹא־תִקַּ֥ח הָאֵ֖ם עַל־הַבָּנִֽים׃

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Parasha Commentary

The Mitzvah of Shiluach HaKen (Sending Away the Mother Bird)

The verse (Devarim 22:6-7) presents the mitzvah of shiluach haken, which prohibits taking a mother bird together with her young or eggs. Instead, one must send away the mother before taking the offspring. This commandment reflects Hashem's compassion for His creations, as explained by Rashi and other commentators.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Devarim 22:6) explains that the Torah uses the term "ki yikarei" ("if it happens") to indicate that this mitzvah applies only when one encounters the nest incidentally, not when one actively seeks it out. This teaches that the mitzvah is about responding to a chance encounter with compassion, not exploiting nature for personal gain.

Rambam's Perspective

Rambam (Moreh Nevuchim 3:48) suggests that this mitzvah instills mercy by preventing cruelty to animals. By sparing the mother bird, we learn sensitivity to the bond between parent and offspring. However, he emphasizes that the mitzvah is a divine decree (chukah) whose full reasons may be beyond human comprehension.

Talmudic Insights

  • The Talmud (Chullin 139b) derives from this verse that the mitzvah applies only to kosher birds, as non-kosher birds are excluded from the term "tzippor" (bird) in this context.
  • Chazal (Berachos 33b) teach that one who declares "Your mercy extends to a bird's nest" during prayer is silenced, as the mitzvot are divine decrees, not merely expressions of Hashem's mercy.

Halachic Details

The Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 292) rules that one must send away the mother bird before taking the young or eggs. If one takes the mother with the young, he violates both a positive commandment and a prohibition. The mitzvah applies only when the mother is actually sitting on the nest, as the verse states "ve'ha'em rovetzet" ("and the mother is sitting").

Spiritual Lessons

The Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 545) explains that this mitzvah trains us in the trait of compassion and reminds us that Hashem watches over all creatures. By showing mercy to birds, we merit divine compassion in return. The mitzvah also teaches that sustaining life (by sparing the mother) takes precedence over temporary material gain.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Chullin 138b
The verse is discussed in the context of the mitzvah of shiluach haken (sending away the mother bird before taking the young).
📖 Berakhot 33b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the reasons behind the commandments.
📖 Megillah 25a
The verse is mentioned in a discussion about the ethical treatment of animals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does the verse about sending away the mother bird mean?
A: This verse teaches the mitzvah of 'shiluach haken' (sending away the mother bird). If you find a nest with eggs or young birds and the mother is sitting on them, you must send the mother away before taking the young or eggs. This shows compassion for the mother bird, as taking her with the young would cause her distress (Rashi, Deuteronomy 22:6).
Q: Why is it forbidden to take the mother bird with the young?
A: The Torah prohibits taking the mother bird together with her young to teach us compassion for living creatures. The Rambam (Moreh Nevuchim 3:48) explains that this mitzvah prevents unnecessary cruelty, as taking both would destroy the entire family of birds at once.
Q: What is the reward for observing the mitzvah of sending away the mother bird?
A: The Torah promises that one who observes this mitzvah will have 'length of days' (Deuteronomy 22:7). The Talmud (Chullin 142a) explains this refers to reward in the World to Come, though some say it may also bring blessings in this world when done with proper intention.
Q: Does the mitzvah of shiluach haken apply to all birds?
A: According to Halacha, this mitzvah applies specifically to kosher birds (as listed in the Torah) whose nests you happen upon in the wild. It does not apply to domesticated birds or birds raised in captivity (Mishneh Torah, Hilchos Shechita 13:1).
Q: How do we perform the mitzvah of shiluach haken today?
A: When finding a wild bird's nest with eggs or young, one must first send away the mother bird (by making her fly away) before taking the young or eggs. Many consult a rabbi for practical application, as there are details about how far the mother must go and whether the mitzvah applies in all circumstances (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De'ah 292).