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Notable Sources
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The Covenant of Seven Ewes
TANAKH
The use of seven ewes as a form of proof and covenant between Abraham and Abimelech highlights the significance of symbolic acts in establishing ownership and resolving disputes. In the book of Genesis, Abraham gives seven ewes to Abimelech to establish his ownership of a well, using the number seven to signify an oath and the ewes as a testimony.
Firstborn Exemptions and Obligations
TALMUD
The exemption from the mitzva of the firstborn for a ewe that gave birth to a goat and a goat that gave birth to a ewe highlights the complexity and specificity of Jewish law. The Talmudic tractate Bekhorot discusses the intricate laws surrounding the consecration of firstborn animals, including the conditions under which an animal is considered a firstborn.
The Status of Firstborn Lambs
MISHNAH
The Torah commands that the firstborns of domesticated animals be given as gifts to priests. The Mishnah delves into the complexities and differing rabbinic opinions on handling firstborn male lambs born simultaneously, highlighting the obligations towards priests and owners.
Pampered Ewes?
TALMUD
The Mishnah in tractate Shabbat lists particular accoutrements with which domesticated animals are and are not allowed to roam about outside on Shabbat. The later rabbis of the Gemara, however, were not always sure what exactly the words in the Mishnah referred to, and here, different sages discuss different possible explanations for what the Mishnah means by ewes that are 'ḥanunot'.
The Beloved Ewe
COMMENTARY
The deep emotional bond and personal care that the poor man has for his single ewe, treating it as a beloved member of his household rather than merely property, is a powerful metaphor for understanding themes of justice and moral accountability. This parable, told by the prophet Nathan to King David, uses the imagery of a poor man's ewe to symbolize Uriah's wife, Bathsheba, as elaborated in Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz' contemporary commentary on the Book of Samuel.
Kindness in Action
CHASIDUT
The mitzvah of not slaughtering an animal and its young on the same day teaches us the importance of kindness and the proper way to approach prayer. Rabbi Mordechai Leiner’s Mei HaShiloach delves into the attribute of kindness as rooted in Leviticus 22:28, and how it informs our understanding of divine attributes.
Teeth Like a Flock of Ewes
COMMENTARY
The metaphorical comparison of teeth to a flock of ewes in Song of Songs highlights their whiteness, cleanliness, and orderly arrangement. Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz’s commentary on Song of Songs provides deeper insights into its poetic imagery, connecting readers to the plain meaning of the text.
The Nazirite's Offerings
TANAKH
The Torah provides detailed instructions for sacrificial offerings, including the specific types and conditions of animals required. In the book of Numbers, the Torah outlines the requirements for a Nazirite's offerings.
"Lilienthal" Wimpel [Torah Binder made from Circumcision Cloth]; embroidered by Koppel Heller Segal; Munich, Germany; 1814 [80.83]. Magnes database record. CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
"Lilienthal" Wimpel [Torah Binder made from Circumcision Cloth]; embroidered by Koppel Heller Segal; Munich, Germany; 1814 [80.83]. Magnes database record. CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
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