דברים כב, י לא תחרוש בשור ובחמור יחדיו
Bava Kama 54b
Applies to any set of two different species; the Torah only speaks of what is common at that time.
Sifrei
Why did the Torah specify two animals? The prohibition is to have two different species plow together, but an animal and a person is permitted.
Rambam
Prohibition from the Torah is only a case of a combination of a tahor animal with a tamei animal (such as an ox with a donkey).
Rosh
Prohibition from the Torah is any type of two different species even a tahor animal with a tahor animal.
Lekutei Sichos 24
Chasidus brings two reasons for this prohibition:
- In order that the kelipah (chamor) should not nurse from holiness.
- In order not to mix gevurah (shor) with chasadim (chamor).
Rambam decides according to the first opinion since he decides that the prohibition of not plowing together only applies to mixing a tahor animal with a tahor animal. The Rosh who decides the prohibition applies to any two types of animals decides according to the second reason.
Ramban
Reason not to put two animals together to plow in order not to lead to the mating of two separate species.
Tosfos
Another reason for the prohibition is cruelty to animals. The ox regurgitates its food and to the donkey it appears the ox is eating again while the donkey does not have any food.
Ibn Ezra
Another reason for the prohibition is that HaShem has mercy on his creations. The strength of the ox far exceeds the strength of the donkey and thus, the donkey would be under duress to keep up with the ox.
Chinuch
The reason for the prohibition is discomfort to the animals. In general animals associate within their own group and do not wish to be close with another species. Forcing two different species to work together is a pain and bother to each. This is an important lesson to be very careful when grouping people since they have intellectual and physical differences; they have heightened sensitivity to others. Two people with opposite tendencies should not be charged with a common task.
Meor V’Shemesh
Allusion to two different parts of a person. Shor alludes to the heightened spirituality of a person (Yosef is called a Shor). Donkey refers to the physical coarseness of a person. They cannot work together until the physical is broken.
Bachaye (פשט)
The prohibition of “mixtures” is based on the creation of each species as separate with their own abilities and mazal. Mixing two different species denies the purpose of Creation.
Bachaye (דרוש)
No real reason is possible; these Mitzvos are given for increase in Torah learning.
Bachaye (סוד)
The word כלאים (mixtures) is the concept of holding back. These chukim are only given to the Jews to bring completeness below and in the Heavens.
Shach
Allusion to the future two Moshiachs. The initial Moshiach from Yosef is called בכור שורו. The second Moshiach is from Dovid as it says, “poor and riding on a donkey.” Be silent (חרישה) regarding Moshiach and do not look for the signs and appointed times since it will happen quickly. Nevertheless, one always has to believe Moshiach may arrive any moment.
