Encounters with the Bizarre

Speak to the Children of Israel saying: These are the living creatures you shall eat from the domesticated animals of the land. (Sefer VaYikra 11:2)

I. Strange discussions in the Talmud

The Talmud sometimes delves into questions that seem fantastic. It will explore the laws governing a case that seems unlikely to occur. Issues that seem to have no practical relevance receive as much attention and analysis as fundamental questions of practice. An excellent example of this seemingly inordinate attention lavished upon the bizarre is related to the above passage.

This passage explains that we are permitted to consume only specific species among the domesticated animals. These are those animals that regurgitate and whose hooves are completely cloven. The Talmud in Tractate Bechorot raises a strange question. Imagine a cow whose pedigree is beyond question. It gives birth. Its offspring does not regurgitate or its hooves are not cloven. The Talmud considers whether this animal may be consumed. It also considers the even more fantastic case of a camel of unquestionable pedigree that gives birth to offspring that has cloven hooves and regurgitates. May this animal be consumed?[1]

How likely are these situations? Why does the Talmud concern itself with these implausible cases? To explain the Talmud’s treatment of these issues, we will consider an event that will seem unrelated.

II. Eclipses and the secrets they reveal

In 1919 the British Royal Society and the Royal Astronomical Society combined resources to place expeditions in tropical Brazil and on the island of Principe, off the west coast of Africa. They would observe and take photographs of the eclipse of the sun taking place on May 29. A sizeable budget was needed to fund this project. The planning and careful execution required enormous effort. Why was an eclipse so important? How would it impact humanity? Why did it deserve such excessive attention?

The eclipse was important because the photographs taken of it would determine whether Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity was correct. It would test the veracity of the concept of space-time. It would determine whether large masses, such as stars warp space-time.

III. Insignificant phenomena and fundamental truths.

If Einstein’s theory proved to be correct, would it immediately change the lives of the people participating in the expeditions, their sponsors, or impact humanity? These scientists and their supporters probably did not anticipate that their experiments would lead to technological breakthroughs and revolutions. They were motivated by the drive to understand. Their experiment provided the opportunity to establish whether the universe operated according to the principles identified by Sir Isaac Newton or as Albert Einstein insisted. Through their efforts they established that Einstein’s novel and strange interpretation of the universe was correct.

An important lesson is derived from this episode. The eclipse was not an event of inherent or practical significance. There had been many eclipses before May 29, 1919 and others would follow. Eclipses themselves do not alter the path of humanity or the lives of individuals. Yet, this innately insignificant celestial event revolutionized humanity’s understanding of the universe. In short, insignificant phenomenon can reveal important hidden truths.

This lesson is central to explaining our Sages fascination with bizarre and unlikely cases. Before we can apply the lesson, we must consider one more issue.

IV. The objectives of Torah study

What is the purpose or objective of Torah study? Certainly, we must carefully study the Torah to effectively observe its commandments. However, our study of the Torah is not solely for the purpose of observing its commandments. We are required to understand the Torah, to delve into its depths, and uncover its secrets. Hashem endowed us with wisdom and insight. We use these to understand our universe and we must use these to understand the Torah.

V. “Experiments” in halachah

Now, let use return to the Talmud’s discussion of strange offspring. Let us put aside our impatience with impractical issues and consider for a moment the issue raised by the Talmud. A cow gives birth to offspring that does not regurgitate or does not have cloven hooves. What is the argument to permit its consumption? What is the argument to forbid it?

The arguments may be based upon the interpretation of the requirement that the domesticated animals we consume must regurgitate and have cloven hooves. This requirement is subject to two interpretations. The first is that any specific animal that is consumed must have these two attributes. Each cow or lamb consumed must conform to the requirement. The second interpretation is that only animals of species that have these attributes may be consumed. The specific cow or lamb consumed need not have the attributes if it can be assigned to a species that does have the attributes. Which interpretation is correct? Let’s perform an experiment!

Let’s imagine a cow that has a perfect pedigree. It remarkably gives birth to a calf lacking the attributes associates with its species. It does not have cloven hooves or it does not regurgitate. Let’s imagine a camel with a perfect pedigree. It gives birth to offspring that regurgitates and has cloven hooves. What is the status of these two strange offspring?

This experiment will test our two interpretations. If the cow’s calf is permitted and the camel’s prohibited, we will have proven that the required attributes need not be present in the specific animal; they must be present in the species. The species of the aberrative offspring is determined by its biological origin – its mother. In other words, parentage determines the offspring’s species and whether the offspring may or may not be consumed. If the cow’s calf is prohibited and the camel’s offspring permitted, we will have proven that the attributes must be present in the specific animal and not only associated with its species. This strange experiment – the offspring of a species that lacks its attributes – is the test that will determine which interpretation is correct.

The mishne rules that the cow’s calf is permitted and the camel’s offspring is prohibited. The species of the animal must have the required attributes but not the specific animal to be consumed.  

VI. The full benefit of Torah study

The student who wishes to fully appreciate the Torah’s beauty cannot limit his or her study to the practical – the knowledge necessary to scrupulously execute its commandments. The Torah’s charms are revealed only when we seek to understand it and delve into its depths. But even our full appreciation of its commandments is achieved only through understanding and appreciating the wisdom each embodies. So, we need to take especial heed to the Talmud’s fascination with the seemingly bizarre. These cases are the experiments that reveal the underlying principles that govern our mitzvot. Through these cases the Torah’s beauty is revealed.

[1] Mesechet Bechorot 5b.