In the Parsha Reeh
Plants Places Animals
Compiled from: http://bible.ort.org/ The Living Torah by Aryeh Kaplan
Addax
The addax fits within the classification of kosher and clean animals (see Leviticus 11:3 and Deuteronomy 14:5). It is said to both chew cud and to possess cloven hooves. The addax is a rare, spiral horned member of the bovid family.
Diet: Herbivorous
Habitat: Sahara
Antelope
יחמור
The Hebrew term yachmur of Deuteronomy 14:5 is considered by some translators to be a reference to an antelope. Some scholars dispute this and suggest instead that the term should be viewed as a reference to a white goat, a roe deer, a buffalo or fallow deer. The text states that the above animal is to be regarded as kosher and clean.
The antelope is a fast running member of the bovid family. It is sometimes referred to as a 'goat deer'.
Diet: Herbivorous
Habitat: Plains in Africa.
Bison
תאו
The term te'o of Deuteronomy 14:5 is believed by some scholars to be a reference to a bison, or a "wild ox", as it is known in other contexts. Some scholars dispute this and suggest instead that the word should be viewed as a reference to an Oryx. The text states that the above animal is to be regarded as kosher and clean.
The Bison is a large headed member of the bovid family.
Diet: Herbivorous
Habitat: North America and Europe.
Chamois
דישן
The Hebrew term dishon of Deuteronomy 14:5 is considered by some translators to be a reference to a chamois. Other scholars dispute this and claim that it is to be viewed as a reference to an addax or a white antelope. The above species is alluded to in a text which outlines key dietary precepts and is said there to be a kosher and clean animal.
The chamois is a goat-like member of the bovid family.
Diet: Herbivorous
Habitat: Mountains in Europe and West Asia.
Chicken
Deuteronomy 14:11 allows us through a process of inference to conclude that the chicken is to be regarded as kosher bird. The chicken is a domesticated bird that manifests enormous variety in color and plumage.
Diet: Herbivorous
Habitat: Worldwide
Giraffe
זמר
The giraffe is alluded to in a text which outlines key dietary precepts. It is stated there that it is to be regarded as a kosher and clean animal. (See Deuteronomy 14:5 )
The giraffe is considered to be the tallest animal. It has a patched yellow brown coat.
Diet: Herbivorous
Habitat: Savannah in Africa.
Goat
עזים
The goat is alluded to in a text which outlines key dietary precepts. It is stated there that it is to be regarded as a kosher and clean animal. (See Deuteronomy 14:4 )
The goat is a domesticated member of the bovid family.
Diet: Omnivorous
Habitat: Worldwide
Ibex
אקו
The ibex is alluded to in a text which outlines key dietary precepts. It is stated there that it is to be regarded as a kosher and clean animal. (See Deuteronomy 14:5 )
The ibex is a wild goat and is a member of the bovid family.
Diet: Herbivorous
Habitat: Israel, Italy and Switzerland.
Oryx
The Oryx, which is a specific type of antelope, is mentioned in a text which outlines key dietary precepts (see Deuteronomy 14:5). It is said there that it is to be regarded as a clean and kosher animal. The Oryx has long straight horns.
Diet: Herbivorous
Habitat: Middle East.
Ox
שור
The ox is mentioned in a text which outlines key dietary precepts (see Deuteronomy 14:4). It is regarded as a clean animal and kosher mammal.
The domesticated ox is a large animal which is clean and kosher
Diet: Herbivorous
Habitat: Worldwide.
Ebal, Mount
הר עיבל
A mountain in Samaria near Mount Gerizim, mentioned at Deuteronomy 11:29 and Deuteronomy 27:13 as the place where the Israelites were to pronounce the curse for disobeying the Divine commandments. They were also commanded to erect stones on which were written the laws (Deuteronomy 27:3, 4).
Mt. Gerizim
הר דרזים
A mountain near Shechem in Samaria, mentioned at Deuteronomy 11:29 and 27:12 as the place from which the Israelites were to pronounce the blessing for obeying the Divine commandments.
Gilgal
גלגל
A place mentioned at Deuteronomy 11:30 in the description of Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal. This is probably not the Gilgal mentioned in the Book of Joshua, which would seem to be in the area of Jericho.
Mavo HaShemesh
מבוא השמש
Sunset Highway A stretch of road in Samaria, mentioned at Deuteronomy 11:30 in the passage describing the location of Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal, running east of those mountains. May have been called the “Sunset Highway”, because from where the Jews were, the sun appeared to set on the mountains through which the road ran
