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Shabbat Parashat Kedoshim 5784Parashat Hashavua: Reasons behind the Prohibition of Sowing Mixed SeedsHarav Shaul Yisraeli – from Siach Shaul 337-339According to Rashi (Vayikra 19:19), the prohibition of sowing mixed seeds is included in the divine decrees without a known reason. According to the Ramban (ad loc.), the prohibitions of mixing seeds and of crossbreeding animals are not listed among prohibitions without a known source and which the nations scoff at. The Ramban explains: “When one combines two different species and weakens the Creation, it is as if he thinks that Hashem did not fully complete the world but that we need to help with Creation. Although the logic is more compelling regarding crossbreeding animals, sowing seeds one next to the other also causes “a change in their taste and their form, as they are nourished one from the other.” The Sefer Hachinuch (#244) says similarly – Hashem made the world perfectly so that each species should produce its own fruit and one should not mix species and take away from Hashem’s will and His blessing to each species. If the logic is in the mixing of nutrition one from the other, how could the Rabbis permit it when it does not appear that they are planted together? Why should they treat it like something that is only forbidden due to marit ayin (appearance of sin)? Apparently, that which is forbidden is the human involvement in having the different species interact and not what happens on its own as the plants grow. (This is similar to crossbreeding animals, which is forbidden only when man is involved in the act of mating, but when the animals join together on their own, there is no need to separate them.) This fits well with what the Ramban says that a person should not think that Hashem did not complete His creation. Therefore, when a person does it in a way that it does not look like he is trying to combine the species, it is as if man is not doing the action of combining but it happens on its own. The Rambam says that these prohibitions are to distance us from idolatry, as mixing species was connected to acts of promiscuity done as part of idolatrous service. This most directly relates to crossbreeding animals, although similar phenomena with mixing of species were also included. This explains why the full prohibitions anywhere in the world are only regarding animals. The Rambam also saw the mixing of seeds including grapes as related to the customs of the gentiles (Moreh Nevuchim 3:37). Even according to the Rambam, even if the reason of idolatry is no longer connected to these actions, once the mitzva was given, it remains in full force forever. As Chazal said, the reasons behind mitzvot were not stated explicitly because the reasoning given for two mitzvot caused two great people to stumble as a result (Sanhedrin 21b). All the reasons that different great rabbis suggested are just that, suggestions, and while we may conjecture, one must not say that he has reached THE truth on the matter. Even according to the opinion that “we may derive the reason of the mitzvot,” this is only when Chazal stipulate what the reason is (see Kesef Mishneh, Issurei Bi’ah 12:1; Lechem Mishneh, Milveh 3:1). Top of page
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We daven for a complete and speedy refuah for: Nir Rephael ben Rachel Bracha Ori Leah bat Chaya Temima Arye Yitzchak ben Geula Miriam Neta bat Malka Meira bat Esther Together with all cholei Yisrael
to the memory of: for our homeland Prof. Yisrael Aharoni z"l Kislev 14, 5783 Rav Shlomo Merzel z”l
Mr. Shmuel & Esther Shemesh z"l Sivan 17 / Av 20 Mr. Moshe Wasserzug z"l Tishrei 20 ,5781 R' Eliyahu Carmel z"l Rav Carmel's father Iyar 8 ,5776 Mrs. Sara Wengrowsky bat R’ Moshe Zev a”h. Tamuz 10 ,5774 Rav Asher & Susan Wasserteil z"l R' Meir ben Yechezkel Shraga Brachfeld z"l & Mrs. Sara Brachfeld z"l Tevet 16 ,5780 R 'Yaakov ben Abraham & Aisha and Chana bat Yaish & Simcha Sebbag, z"l Rav Yisrael Rozen z"l Rav Benzion Grossman z"l R' Abraham & Gita Klein z"l Iyar 18, /5779Av 4 Rav Moshe Zvi (Milton) Polin z"l R' Yitzchak Zev & Naomi Tarshansky z"l Adar 28, 5781/ Adar II 14 5784 Nina Moinester z"l Nechama Osna bat Yitzhak Aharon & Doba Av 30, 5781 Rabbi Dr. Jerry Hochbaum z"l Adar II 17, 5782 Mrs. Julia Koschitzky z"l Adar II 18, 5782 Mrs. Leah Meyer z"l Nisan 27, 5782 Mr. Shmuel & Rivka Brandman z"l Tevet 16 5783/ Iyar 8, 5781
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