Makos 17a

With thanks to Eli Chitrik.

1- We spoke about the fascinating explanation of Reb Shimon (how appropriate, today being Lag B’Omer) on the verse regarding the prohibition of eating Maaser and other items outside Yerusholayim.

Rava, (the Amora), amazed at the brilliance of Reb Shimon exclaimed:

“One should pray that to have children like Reb Shimon”. 

In our Gemara, Rava’s comment ends with the words “and if not… then it does not pay to have children”!!!!!

We mentioned that many delete these last words, for obvious reasons. True, Reb Shimon was a great Tzadik but there are many levels below Reb Shimon that are also of great stature. So while shooting for the top is to be admired, having children below the level of Reb Shimon is also something to pray for.

 

We spoke about the Mitzvah of Shiluach Haken and mentioned the age-old argument between the Rishonim if this Mitzvah should be associated with “rachmonus” – pity and kindness to animals.

 

 

The Mishnah (Gemara Brachos, 33b) states that one who says, “The Al-mighty’s mercy reaches the mother bird,” must be silenced. The Gemara explains that this is because the Mitzvos are purely G’zeiros, “heavenly decrees incumbent upon us to fulfill,” and they are not given to us as expressions of G-D’s mercy.

Reb Shimon says in Yevamos that all of the Mitzvos have reasons!

 

The Rambam in his Guide states that the above Mishna is not universally accepted. On the contrary, humans are endeavored to search for the logic and the reasoning of very Mitzvah and Shiluach Hakan is not an exception.

The point is to warn mankind against causing undue distress to animals.

Interestingly the The Rambam in the Yad (Hilchos Tefilah 9,7) states that there is in fact no reasoning for this Mitzvah. For if the Torah’s intent were to teach man to have pity for animals, how then could ritual slaughter be permitted? (pirush hamishnayos l’Rmbm, brachos 5:3)

The Ramban tries to reconcile both approaches.

We mentioned the 14th century scholar Reb Yosef Even Kaspi, who penned some controversial commentary, writes that Shiluach Hakan teaches us that in essence the Torah is pro Veganism!!!

 

It could not totally exclude meat from a Torah diet because that would be asking too much. So at the very least is requires one to show respect to a mother bird prior to taking away her young children.

We briefly spoke about Rabbi Kook’s take on the above. See here

For the Kabalistic and Chabad Chasidus explanation on Shiluach Hakan see in Tanya Igeres Ha’teshuva chapter 9 and Ohr HaTorah Parshas Ki Setze.