5783/2023
The beginning of Parshat Tazria discusses a woman’s
obligations after she gives birth. Interestingly, she is obligated
to bring a Korban Chatat, specifically a lamb in its first year, and
a bird, which can either be a Ben Yonah or a tor. The Torah lists
these two birds in the order I just mentioned - first the Ben
Yonah, then the Tor. However, as the Baal haTurim points out,
this is somewhat abnormal. Usually, the Tor is mentioned
before the Ben Yonah. Why is it different here?
As opposed to most Korbanot involving these birds
where the owner has to bring both, the new mother only has to
bring one. Since this is the case, the Torah switched the order
to instruct us that the preferred bird is the Ben Yonah. Yet the
question still remains: why is the Ben Yonah a better option for
the mother than the Tor?
A possible explanation lies in the respective tendencies
of these birds. Ramban teaches that both birds have an innate
sense of loyalty. First, a Ben Yonah’s loyalty lies with its nest,
and it will not abandon it if its eggs or chicks are taken, rather,
it remains there in a deep feeling of attachment. This
attachment causes it to never leave its nest, no matter what
happens. On the other hand, a Tor has a lifelong devotion to its
mate. Even after its mate dies, a Tor continues to mourn and
never seeks out another one. It is for this reason that a Ben
Yonah is favored for a mother to bring as a Korbon. The Torah
is teaching us how far we truly have to go in our sensitivity
toward others. We even have to be conscious of the feelings of
the Tor bird, so much so that we prevent the pain of its mate.
This is also why it is specified back in Parshat Tzav that the
Korban Chatat is slaughtered in the same place as the Korban
Olah. Hashem was concerned that someone bringing a Chatat
would be embarrassed if others saw him. Therefore, he saved
them from humiliation by instructing that both the Chatat and
Olah were to be brought in the same place.
Especially now, during Sefirat HaOmer, we should do
our best to reflect on this idea and have the proper
consideration for the feelings of others.