People Can Be Bird Brained

This week’s Parasha Ki Seitzei, speaks of Shiluach HaKen" [Devarim 22:6-7]. I am reminded of an argument that Tali and a friend had earlier in the summer when they noticed a mother bird hovering over her nest of newly laid eggs. The friend, Judy, was excited to send away the bird and take an egg so she could get the mitzvah but Tali objected. Judy explained that sefer Kol Dodi said it was a segulah for a childless person and for other things as well. Felgercarb (=BS) said Tali and all you battlestar galacticites. Yeah, I know the Torah promises increased days but anyone who is married or has a steady job doesn't necessarily want this.

R. Frand points out that “the teaching of the law of the mother bird's nest is CALLING OUT to him that he should take note: perhaps his practice of the attribute of compassion needs improvement.” Also, “The Talmud [Chulin 141] infers from the tautology (shaleach teshalach) that the law applies even if the birds are needed for a matter involving a mitzvah. Rav Mordechai Katz observes that there is a tendency sometimes to trample on peoples' feelings when we are on the way to do a mitzvah. We may tend to feel that "the performance of the mitzvah takes priority over people's feelings".”

Now, if the purpose of the mitzvah is to teach compassion for the mother bird’s feelings with the ultimate purpose of teaching compassion for all of humankind and God’s creation AND if it teaches that in doing mitzvot that you should take people’s feelings into consideration THEN shouldn’t we take into account the mother’s feeling and not cause it any distress at all just so you can get a mitzvah or try to access some avodah zarah mystical magic. When the pasuk says that you “happen upon” this nest and proscribes how you should take the eggs, the whole reason you are taking them is because you want to eat. There were no Easter egg searches going on back then. So if you need the eggs, take them, but in the most compassionate manner possible. And if you are so compassionate, you merit lengthier days. But if you don’t need the eggs, for God’s sake, don’t distress a living creature for your own sake. Even if you put the eggs back, you have pained the bird who had to flee and not be there to protect her children. And once you get your scent on the egg, the mother may reject that egg or chick that hatches.

Bottom line: keep your hands to yourself, pray directly to God for whatever you need, bypass the voodoo and false promises and buy your eggs at Stop n Shop.