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Leviticus 11:13 - Forbidden birds: why?

Leviticus 11:13 - ויקרא 11:13

Hebrew Text

וְאֶת־אֵלֶּה תְּשַׁקְּצוּ מִן־הָעוֹף לֹא יֵאָכְלוּ שֶׁקֶץ הֵם אֶת־הַנֶּשֶׁר וְאֶת־הַפֶּרֶס וְאֵת הָעָזְנִיָּה׃

English Translation

And these are they which you shall have in abomination among the birds; they shall not be eaten, they are abominable: the eagle, and the bearded vulture and the black vulture.

Transliteration

Ve'et-eleh teshak'tzu min-ha'of lo ye'akhelu shekets hem et-hanesher ve'et-haperes ve'et ha'ozniyah.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְאֶת־אֵ֙לֶּה֙ תְּשַׁקְּצ֣וּ מִן־הָע֔וֹף לֹ֥א יֵאָכְל֖וּ שֶׁ֣קֶץ הֵ֑ם אֶת־הַנֶּ֙שֶׁר֙ וְאֶת־הַפֶּ֔רֶס וְאֵ֖ת הָעׇזְנִיָּֽה׃
וְאֶת־אֵ֙לֶּה֙ תְּשַׁקְּצ֣וּ מִן־הָע֔וֹף לֹ֥א יֵאָכְל֖וּ שֶׁ֣קֶץ הֵ֑ם אֶת־הַנֶּ֙שֶׁר֙ וְאֶת־הַפֶּ֔רֶס וְאֵ֖ת הָעׇזְנִיָּֽה׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Prohibition of Certain Birds in Leviticus 11:13

The verse lists specific birds that are forbidden for consumption, labeling them as sheketz (abomination). The Torah prohibits these birds due to their predatory or scavenging nature, which reflects negative traits that the Torah seeks to distance Jews from.

Identification of the Forbidden Birds

  • הַנֶּשֶׁר (Ha-Nesher) – The Eagle: Rashi (on Leviticus 11:13) explains that the eagle is known for its cruelty, swooping down on prey with great force. The Rambam (Hilchot Ma'achalot Asurot 1:15) notes that birds of prey are generally forbidden due to their violent nature.
  • הַפֶּרֶס (Ha-Peres) – The Bearded Vulture: The Talmud (Chullin 61a) identifies this as a bird that tears apart its prey (perisah means "to tear"). The Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah 22:10) associates such birds with traits of arrogance and cruelty.
  • הָעָזְנִיָּה (Ha-Ozniah) – The Black Vulture: Rashi (based on Chullin 63a) identifies this as a bird that waits to scavenge carcasses, symbolizing greed and opportunism.

Spiritual and Ethical Reasons for the Prohibition

The Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 157) explains that forbidden birds embody negative character traits, and consuming them could influence a person's behavior. The Torah encourages Jews to pursue holiness by avoiding creatures associated with cruelty and impurity.

Halachic Considerations

The Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 82) rules that only birds with a mesorah (tradition) of being kosher may be eaten. The Talmud (Chullin 61b-65a) provides signs for kosher birds, such as not being predatory and having certain physical characteristics.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Chullin 63b
The verse is cited in a discussion about the dietary laws concerning birds, specifically identifying which birds are considered unclean and prohibited for consumption.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why does the Torah list certain birds as not kosher?
A: The Torah prohibits certain birds, like the eagle and vulture, because they are predators or scavengers (Rashi on Leviticus 11:13). Kosher birds must have a tradition of being permitted and lack these negative traits (Rambam, Mishneh Torah, Ma'achalot Asurot 1:14).
Q: What is the significance of the term 'sheketz' (abomination) in this verse?
A: The term 'sheketz' teaches that non-kosher birds are spiritually repulsive, not just physically unclean (Rashi on Leviticus 11:13). Eating them affects the soul's purity (Sefer HaChinuch, Mitzvah 157).
Q: How do we know which birds are kosher today?
A: We rely on a mesorah (tradition) identifying kosher birds based on signs like having an extra toe and a crop (Chullin 59a). The Talmud lists permitted species, and we only eat birds with an unbroken kosher tradition (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De'ah 82).
Q: Why are predatory birds like the eagle forbidden?
A: Predatory birds symbolize cruelty, and the Torah wants us to distance ourselves from such traits (Vayikra Rabbah 13:2). By avoiding them, we cultivate compassion (Ramban on Leviticus 11:13).