2021/5781
Parashat Kedoshim, the second of this week’s Parshiyot, includes a prohibition against cross breeding animals or plants, and against wearing an article of clothing that has wool and linen in it. The Pasuk says, “Et Chukotai Tishmoru Behemtecha Lo Tarbi’a Kil’ayim Sadecha Lo Tizra Kil’ayim UVeged Kil’ayim Sha’atneiz Lo Ya’aleh Alecha,” “You shall observe My laws. You shall not let your cattle mate with a different kind; you shall not sow your field with two kinds of seed; you shall not put on cloth from a mixture of two kinds of material” (VaYikra 19:19). Rashi says that these 3 commandments are Chukim, decrees of Hashem that have no apparent reason (Rashi VaYikra 19:19 s. v. Et Chukotai Tishmoru).
Ramban clarifies Rashi’s point, saying that Hashem did not command these for no reason, for everything Hashem does has a reason. Instead, Hashem just did not reveal the reasons to us. Ramban even explains reasoning behind Kil’ayim. 1) By crossbreeding, one is defying the order of creation and 2) its results are infertile. In the six days of creation, Hashem created many species of both plants and animals and gave them the power of reproduction in order that the species continue to exist. By crossbreeding, one is defying the order of creation and saying that ‘Hashem didn’t make the world complete, I am now completing it’. (Ramban VaYikra 19:19 s. v. Et Chukotai Tishmoru).
These are the reasons why Kil’ei Beheimah and Kil’ei Sadeh are forbidden, but what about Sha’atneiz? What is the problem with wearing a piece of clothing that has wool and linen spun into it? The Midrash teaches that this prohibition is related to the fight between Kayin and Hevel. Kayin was a farmer and linen is made out of flax, a plant. Hevel was a shepherd and wool is from sheep. Mixing plant, linen, and animal, wool, is the equivalent of mixing Kayin and Hevel, and that story does not end well. By keeping them separate, we are keeping Shalom and order in the world, and IY”H we can end all mixtures of fighting siblings and be gathered from the corners of the world, BiMheirah BeYameinu.