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.