Pisqa’ 22791H:236-237; JN2:137-138. 1. “If you happen across a bird’s nest” (Dt.22:6)— this excludes from the rule birds that are ready at hand [as opposed to wild birds].92Cf. M. Hul. 12:1.
The minimum number intended by the plural, “fledglings” (Dt.22:6), is two, and the minimum of “eggs” (Dt.22:6) is two.93Cf. Pisqa’ 228.2. How do I know that even if there is but one fledgling or one egg, he is obliged to send off the dam? The Teaching states: “A nest” (Dt.22:6)— a nest with any number of young.94//M. Hul. 12:3
2. Inferring from what is said: “Before you in the path, . . . and the dam is crouching over the fledglings or the eggs” (Dt.22:6)— is it possible to say that I might exclude from the rule ducks or chickens nesting in an orchard? The Teaching states: “Before you” (Dt.22:6)— [birds raised for your needs are exempt from the rule].95Cf. M. Hul. 12:1; T. Hul. 10:9.
I might infer only that [the rule applies to] nests found in a private area. On what basis do I know that [it applies as well to] a public thoroughfare? The Teaching states: “In the path” (Dt.22:6)— [that is, a road traversed by a multitude].
3. “And the dam is crouching over the fledglings or the eggs” (Dt.22:6) — just as with fledglings, [the rule applies] only to those capable of surviving [with proper care], so, too, with eggs, [the rule applies] only to those capable of surviving [with proper care]. This excludes [from the rule] abnormal eggs [since they will not survive]. Now, just as eggs require the dam’s care, so, too, fledglings require the dam’s care.96// M. Hul, 12:6.
“And the dam is crouching over the fledglings or the eggs” (Dt.22:6)— [send the dam off] while she is crouching over them, but not if she is fluttering about.97//M. Hul. 12:3. Is it possible to say that [the rule applies] even where her wings are in contact with the nest? The Teaching states: “And the dam is crouching over the fledglings or the eggs” (Dt.22:6)— even if [momentarily] she is not with them, [she is still considered in contact with the nest].98//M. Hul. 12:3.
Is it possible to say that if an unclean bird was crouching over the eggs of a clean bird, or if a clean bird was crouching over the eggs of an unclean bird— one still stands under obligation to send off the dam?99= M. Hul.12:2; //T. Hul. 10:10. The Teaching states: “And the dam is crouching over the fledglings or the eggs” (Dt.22:6)— [the rule applies only to birds] that are all of a single type [whether clean or unclean].100Cf. T. Hul. 10:10.
4. “You may not take the dam as well as the young” (Dt.22:6). Inferring from what is said: “Then the Priest shall take for the purificant two living birds that are clean” (Lv.14:4)— is it possible to say that he may take the dam from the nest in order to cleanse a victim of Scale-disease?101Heb: metzor`a; one suffering an inflammation on the skin. The Teaching states: “You may not take the dam as well as the young” (Dt.22:6)— not even to cleanse a victim of Scale-disease!102//M. Hul. 12:5; Cf. T. Hul. 12:16.
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לֹא תִקַּח הָאֵם – מִצְוַת לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה.
5. Another word: “When you build a new house” (Dt.22:8). R, Ishmael says: The verse comes to teach you that A person never knows how he will be judged. As it is said: “For a man does not know his allotted time, like a fish trapped in a net” (Ecc.9:12).
(דברים כב ו) כִּי יִקָּרֵא – פְּרָט לַמְזֻמָּן.
Pisqa’ 22791H:236-237; JN2:137-138.
1. “If you happen across a bird’s nest” (Dt.22:6)—
this excludes from the rule
birds that are ready at hand
[as opposed to wild birds].92Cf. M. Hul. 12:1.
מִעוּט אֶפְרוֹחִים – שְׁנַיִם, מִעוּט בֵּיצִים – שְׁנַיִם. מִנַּיִן אֵין שָׁם אֶלָּא אֶפְרוֹחַ אֶחָד אוֹ בֵיצָה אַחַת חַיָּב לְשַׁלֵּחַ? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: קַן – קַן מִכָּל מָקוֹם.
The minimum number intended
by the plural, “fledglings” (Dt.22:6), is two,
and the minimum of “eggs” (Dt.22:6) is two.93Cf. Pisqa’ 228.2.
How do I know that
even if there is but one fledgling or one egg,
he is obliged to send off the dam?
The Teaching states:
“A nest” (Dt.22:6)—
a nest with any number of young.94//M. Hul. 12:3
מִכְּלָל שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר בַּדֶּרֶךְ וְהָאֵם רֹבֶצֶת עַל הָאֶפְרֹחִים אוֹ עַל הַבֵּיצִים, יָכוֹל שֶׁאֲנִי מוֹצִיא אַוָּזִים וְתַרְנְגוֹלִים שֶׁקִּנְּנוּ בַּפַּרְדֵּס? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: לְפָנֶיךָ,
2. Inferring from what is said:
“Before you in the path, . . . and the dam is crouching over the fledglings or the eggs” (Dt.22:6)—
is it possible to say that
I might exclude from the rule
ducks or chickens nesting in an orchard?
The Teaching states:
“Before you” (Dt.22:6)—
[birds raised for your needs are exempt from the rule].95Cf. M. Hul. 12:1; T. Hul. 10:9.
אֵין לִי אֶלָּא בִּרְשׁוּת הַיָּחִיד, בִּרְשׁוּת הָרַבִּים מִנַּיִן? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: בַּדֶּרֶךְ.
I might infer only that
[the rule applies to]
nests found in a private area.
On what basis do I know that
[it applies as well to]
a public thoroughfare?
The Teaching states:
“In the path” (Dt.22:6)—
[that is, a road traversed by a multitude].
עַל הָאִילָנוֹת מִנַּיִן? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: בְּכָל עֵץ.
On what basis do I know that
the rule applies to [nests found] on trees?
The Teaching states:
“In any tree” ( Dt.22:6).
עַל הָאָרֶץ מִנַּיִן? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: אוֹ עַל הָאָרֶץ.
On what basis do I know that
the rule applies to [nests found] on the ground?
The Teaching states:
“Or on the ground”(Dt.22:6).
וְהָאֵם רוֹבֶצֶת עַל הָאֶפְרוֹחִים אוֹ עַל הַבֵּיצִים, מָה אֶפְרוֹחִים בְּנֵי קַיָּמָא – אַף בֵּיצִים בְּנֵי קַיָּמָא, יָצְאוּ מוּזָרוֹת. מָה בֵּיצִים צְרִיכוֹת לְאִמָּן – אַף אֶפְרוֹחִים צְרִיכִים לְאִמָּם; יָצְאוּ הַמַּפְרִיחִים, שֶׁאֵין צְרִיכִים לְאִמָּם.
3. “And the dam is crouching over the fledglings or the eggs” (Dt.22:6) —
just as with fledglings, [the rule applies]
only to those capable of surviving [with proper care],
so, too, with eggs, [the rule applies]
only to those capable of surviving [with proper care].
This excludes [from the rule] abnormal eggs
[since they will not survive].
Now, just as eggs require the dam’s care,
so, too, fledglings require the dam’s care.96// M. Hul, 12:6.
וְהָאֵם רוֹבֶצֶת – כְּשֶׁהִיא רוֹבֶצֶת עֲלֵיהֶם, פְּרָט לִמְעוֹפֶפֶת. יָכוֹל אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁכְּנָפֶיהָ נוֹגְעוֹת בַּקֵּן? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: וְהָאֵם רֹבֶצֶת עַל הָאֶפְרֹחִים, אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁאֵינָהּ עִמָּהֶם.
“And the dam is crouching over the fledglings or the eggs” (Dt.22:6)—
[send the dam off] while she is crouching over them,
but not if she is fluttering about.97//M. Hul. 12:3.
Is it possible to say that
[the rule applies] even where her wings are in contact with the nest?
The Teaching states:
“And the dam is crouching over the fledglings or the eggs” (Dt.22:6)—
even if [momentarily] she is not with them,
[she is still considered in contact with the nest].98//M. Hul. 12:3.
יָכוֹל עוֹף טָמֵא רוֹבֵץ עַל בֵּיצֵי עוֹף טָהוֹר, וְעוֹף טָהוֹר רוֹבֵץ עַל בֵּיצֵי עוֹף טָמֵא, יְהֵא חַיָּב לְשַׁלֵּחַ? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: וְהָאֵם רֹבֶצֶת, עַד שֶׁיִּהְיוּ כֻלָּם מִין אֶחָד.
Is it possible to say that
if an unclean bird was crouching over the eggs of a clean bird,
or if a clean bird was crouching over the eggs of an unclean bird—
one still stands under obligation to send off the dam?99= M. Hul.12:2; //T. Hul. 10:10.
The Teaching states:
“And the dam is crouching over the fledglings or the eggs” (Dt.22:6)—
[the rule applies only to birds]
that are all of a single type
[whether clean or unclean].100Cf. T. Hul. 10:10.
לֹא תִקַּח הָאֵם עַל הַבָּנִים, מִכְּלָל שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (ויקרא יד ד) ״וְלָקַח לַמִּטַּהֵר שְׁתֵּי צִפֳּרִים חַיּוֹת טְהוֹרוֹת״, יָכוֹל יִקָּחֶנָּה לְטַהֵר בָּהּ אֶת הַמְּצוֹרָע? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: לֹא תִקַּח הָאֵם עַל הַבָּנִים, אֲפִלּוּ לְטַהֵר בָּהּ אֶת הַמְּצוֹרָע.
4. “You may not take the dam as well as the young” (Dt.22:6).
Inferring from what is said:
“Then the Priest shall take for the purificant two living birds that are clean” (Lv.14:4)—
is it possible to say that
he may take the dam from the nest
in order to cleanse a victim of Scale-disease?101Heb: metzor`a; one suffering an inflammation on the skin.
The Teaching states:
“You may not take the dam as well as the young” (Dt.22:6)—
not even to cleanse a victim of Scale-disease!102//M. Hul. 12:5; Cf. T. Hul. 12:16.
לֹא תִקַּח הָאֵם – מִצְוַת לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה.
5. Another word:
“When you build a new house” (Dt.22:8).
R, Ishmael says:
The verse comes to teach you that
A person never knows how he will be judged.
As it is said:
“For a man does not know his allotted time, like a fish trapped in a net” (Ecc.9:12).