Shiluach haken
Encyclopedia
Shiluach haken is the Jewish law
derived from the Torah
that enjoins one to send away the mother bird before taking her young or her eggs. This only applies to Kosher birds. The Torah promises longevity
to someone who performs this commandment.
. One example of this is in Kiddushin 39b which discusses the problem whether the reward for commandments is in this world or the next. In addition, the Talmud famously records that Elisha ben Abuyah
saw a child fall off the ladder while performing this commandment (at the behest of his parents: so, while performing two mitzvot
). This irreconcilable lack of theodicy led him away from Judaism. The explanation given in Pirkei Avot, is that the reward may not translate in this world, but rather in Olam Habah, the next world.
, where the main character, Avraham, shoos away a mother bird just before the death of his son Menachem.
Halakha
Halakha — also transliterated Halocho , or Halacha — is the collective body of Jewish law, including biblical law and later talmudic and rabbinic law, as well as customs and traditions.Judaism classically draws no distinction in its laws between religious and ostensibly non-religious life; Jewish...
derived from the Torah
Torah
Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five books of the bible—Genesis , Exodus , Leviticus , Numbers and Deuteronomy Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five...
that enjoins one to send away the mother bird before taking her young or her eggs. This only applies to Kosher birds. The Torah promises longevity
Longevity
The word "longevity" is sometimes used as a synonym for "life expectancy" in demography or known as "long life", especially when it concerns someone or something lasting longer than expected ....
to someone who performs this commandment.
Theodicy
In Talmudic literature, the requirement to send away the mother bird is a locus classicus for discussion of theodicyTheodicy
Theodicy is a theological and philosophical study which attempts to prove God's intrinsic or foundational nature of omnibenevolence , omniscience , and omnipotence . Theodicy is usually concerned with the God of the Abrahamic religions Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, due to the relevant...
. One example of this is in Kiddushin 39b which discusses the problem whether the reward for commandments is in this world or the next. In addition, the Talmud famously records that Elisha ben Abuyah
Elisha ben Abuyah
Elisha ben Abuyah was a rabbi and Jewish religious authority born in Jerusalem sometime before 70 CE. After he adopted a worldview considered heretical by his fellow Tannaim and betrayed his people, the rabbis of the Talmud refrained from relating teachings in his name and referred to him as the...
saw a child fall off the ladder while performing this commandment (at the behest of his parents: so, while performing two mitzvot
Mitzvah
The primary meaning of the Hebrew word refers to precepts and commandments as commanded by God...
). This irreconcilable lack of theodicy led him away from Judaism. The explanation given in Pirkei Avot, is that the reward may not translate in this world, but rather in Olam Habah, the next world.
Cultural references
The metaphor of Shiluach haken is used in David Vollach's 2007 movie My Father My LordMy Father My Lord
My Father My Lord is a 2007 Israeli film directed by David Volach, a former Israeli Haredi. It won the Founder's Award for Best Narrative Film at the Tribeca Film Festival.-Plot:...
, where the main character, Avraham, shoos away a mother bird just before the death of his son Menachem.
External links
- List of sources on the reasoning behind Shiluach haken (Hebrew)
- The Mitzvah of Shiluach Ha-Kan Heavily cited with halkhic sources, by Rabbi Doniel Neustadt (Modern Orthodox, Young Israel, Cleveland Heights)
- Expert in Shiluach Hakan