ויקרא, פרק י״א, פסוק ט״ז

The catalog of forbidden birds continues by detailing species characterized by unique physical, behavioral, and moral traits. Often, the very names of these birds serve as windows into their nature, their habitats, and their most prominent features.

The ostrich is primarily recognized as a large, flightless desert bird [ביאור שטיינזלץ, פירושי רד צ הופמן]. Its name reflects either the wailing, mournful sounds it produces or its insatiable gluttony [תולדות יצחק, חזקוני, פירושי רד צ הופמן]. The specific phrasing used to identify this bird translates literally to the "daughter" of the ostrich, prompting discussion regarding this unusual wording. The primary approach among commentators is that the prohibition specifically targets the young, tender ostrich. An adult ostrich consumes stones, glass, and iron, rendering its flesh as hard as wood and completely unfit for human consumption. Alternatively, Talmudic tradition interprets the word "daughter" as a reference to the bird's egg, establishing the broader legal principle that the eggs of forbidden birds are equally prohibited [תורה תמימה, תולדות יצחק, חזקוני, פירושי רד צ הופמן]. Other perspectives suggest the phrasing is simply a fixed linguistic term [הכתב והקבלה], or that it refers to a species consisting entirely of females [אבן עזרא]. Beyond dietary laws, the ostrich serves as a symbol of cruelty. Because it abandons its eggs in the desert sand and shows no mercy to its young, its inclusion serves as a moral warning to distance oneself from such callous behavior [פרדס יוסף, שפתי כהן].

Another forbidden species is a nocturnal bird of prey [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Its name is rooted in a word meaning violence or robbery, perfectly describing its aggressive nature. It is known to steal from other birds and cruelly take over nests that do not belong to it [רלב״ג, תולדות יצחק, חזקוני, פירושי רד צ הופמן]. While one view identifies this creature as an Egyptian animal resembling a crocodile [אם למקרא], the overarching lesson remains consistent. The creature stands as a stark moral warning against the destructive traits of theft, violence, and cruelty [שפתי כהן].

Although widely recognized today as a water bird [ביאור שטיינזלץ, פירושי רד צ הופמן], most commentators associate the next bird with tuberculosis or extreme heat. According to this understanding, the bird possesses an abnormally high internal body temperature, and eating it could cause a person to suffer from fever and illness [רלב״ג, תולדות יצחק, חזקוני, אבן עזרא]. Another interpretation suggests the name simply describes a remarkably thin and emaciated bird [פירושי רד צ הופמן].

Finally, the hawk represents a broader category of small, exceptionally fast birds of prey [ביאור שטיינזלץ, פירושי רד צ הופמן]. Its name is explained in two primary ways. First, it relates to the word for feather, highlighting the dense plumage that allows it to fly at great speeds while hunting, or to maintain its body temperature during migration to warmer climates [תולדות יצחק, אבן עזרא, חזקוני]. Second, the name is linked to the word for spark, referencing either its eyes that seem to glow in the dark or the sheer, blinding speed of its flight [שד״ל, פירושי רד צ הופמן]. The prohibition extends to all species within this family. Talmudic tradition notes that this category includes a unique bird endowed with extraordinary vision, capable of spotting its prey from miles away [תורה תמימה, אדרת אליהו, פירושי רד צ הופמן].