In the Parsha Shemini
Plants, Places, Animals
Compiled from: http://bible.ort.org/ The Living Torah by Rabbi 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
Bactrian camel
The Bactrian camel is alluded to in a text which outlines key dietary precepts. It is stated there that owing to its lack of true cloven hooves it is to be regarded as unclean and non-kosher. (See Leviticus 11:4 ) The Bactrian camel is a wild, humped member of the camel family.
Diet: Herbivorous
Habitat: Deserts in Africa.
Bat
The bat is alluded to in a text which outlines key dietary precepts. It is stated there that it is to be regarded as an unclean and non-kosher. (See Leviticus 11:19 ) The bat is the only mammal that possesses an ability to fly. It uses an echo-location technique for navigation.
Diet: Insectivorous
Habitat: Worldwide, except Polar regions.
Chameleon
The chameleon is described as a non-kosher and unclean animal in a text which codifies key dietary precepts (see Leviticus 11:30). It is also generally regarded as a master of camouflage.
Diet: Insectivorous
Habitat: Forests in Africa.
Cormorant
The Hebrew term Shalakh of Leviticus 11:17 is believed by some translators to be a reference to a cormorant. Other scholars dispute this and suggest instead that the word should be viewed as a reference to an owl, and more specifically possibly a fish-owl. The text states that the above animal be is to be regarded as unclean and a non-kosher. The cormorant is a black coastal bird which is related to the pelican.
Diet: Fish
Habitat: Temperate and tropical regions.
Voice: Guttural
Eagle
The Hebrew term nesher of Leviticus 11:13 is believed by some translators to be a reference to an eagle. Other scholars dispute this and suggest instead that the word should be viewed as a reference to a griffin vulture. The text states that the above animal is to be regarded as unclean and non-kosher.
Diet: Carnivorous
Habitat: Europe, North America and Asia.
Voice: Yelping.
Falcon
The Hebrew term radak of Leviticus 11:17 is believed by some translators to be a reference to a falcon. Some scholars dispute this and suggest instead that the word should be viewed as a reference to an owl or to a little owl. The text states that the above animal is to be regarded as unclean and non-kosher. The falcon is a medium sized bird of prey with stereoscopic vision.
Diet: Carnivorous
Habitat: In different areas throughout the World.
Ferret
The Hebrew term tzav of Leviticus 11:29 is believed by some translators to be a reference to a ferret. Some scholars dispute this and suggest instead that the word should be viewed as a reference to either a toad or a tortoise. The text states that the above animal is to be regarded as non-kosher and unclean. The Ferret is a wild member of the mustelid family.
Diet: Carnivorous
Habitat: In various areas including the plains of North America where it presently faces extinction.
Gecko
The Hebrew term anakah of Leviticus 11:30 is believed by some translators to be a reference to a gecko. Other scholars dispute this and suggest that the word should be viewed as a reference to a hedgehog. The text states that the above animal is to be regarded as non-kosher and unclean. The gecko has sticky pads on its toes.
Diet: Insectivorous
Habitat: Forests and deserts.
Voice: Groaning.
Gull
The gull or the shachaf of the Hebrew text is described as a non-kosher and unclean animal in a text which codifies key dietary precepts (see Leviticus 11:16). The text states that the above animal is to be viewed as non-kosher and unclean. It is a migratory sea bird.
Diet: Omnivorous
Habitat: Worldwide
Hare
The hare is alluded to in a text which outlines key dietary precepts. It is stated there that owing to its lack of true hooves it is to be regarded as unclean and un-kosher. (See Leviticus 11:6 ) The hare is a long-eared animal with strong long back legs.
Diet: Herbivorous
Habitat: Worldwide except Antarctica.
Hawk
The Hebrew term netz of Leviticus 11:6 is believed by some translators to be a reference to a Hawk. Some scholars dispute this and suggest instead that the word should be viewed as a reference to a goshawk. The text states that the above animal is to be regarded as unclean and non-kosher. The Hawk is a mid-air hunting bird and varies greatly in size and appearance.
Diet: Carnivorous
Habitat: Worldwide, except Polar regions.
Hedgehog
The Hebrew term anakah of Leviticus 11:30 is considered by some scholars to be a reference to a hedgehog. Other scholars dispute this and suggest instead that the term refers to either a mole or a gecko or a beaver or a mouse. The above species is alluded to in a text which outlines key dietary precepts and is said there to be a non-kosher and unclean animal. The hedgehog is a spinney hibernating animal.
Diet: Carnivorous
Habitat: Africa, Europe, Asia and New Zealand.
Heron
The Heron or the Anapha of the Hebrew text is described as a non-kosher and unclean animal in a text which codifies key dietary precepts (see Leviticus 11:19). The Heron is a medium sized bird that nests in colonies which are called heronries.
Diet: Fish
Habitat: Worldwide
Voice: Harsh
Hoopoe
The Hebrew term dukhiphath of Leviticus 11:19 is believed by some translators to be a reference to a hoopoe. Some scholars dispute this and suggest instead that the word should be viewed as a reference to a mountain cock, possibly a capercaillie. The text states that the above animal be regarded as non-kosher and unclean. The hoopoe is an exotic looking bird, whose head is crowned by a large crest of feathers.
Diet: Insectivorous
Habitat: Africa, South East Europe and Asia.
Voice: The bird's name is onomatopoeic and hence very reminiscent to the sound of its call.
Hyrax
The Hebrew term shafan of Leviticus 11:5 is considered by some scholars to be a reference to a hyrax. Some scholars dispute this and suggest instead that the term should be viewed as a reference to a jerboa. The above text states that the hyrax is to be regarded as unclean and non-kosher owing to its lack of true hooves. The hyrax is a short legged animal which is related to the elephant.
Diet: Herbivorous
Habitat: Negev Mountains, Africa and South West Asia.
Ibis
The Hebrew tern Yanshuf of Leviticus 11:17 is believed by some translators to be a reference to an ibis. Some scholars dispute this and suggest instead that the word should be viewed as a reference to either a falcon, a little owl or a long-eared owl. The text states that the above animal is to be regarded as non-kosher and unclean.
Diet: Insectivorous/Carnivorous (Carrion)
Habitat: Wetlands and plains in many countries.
Jerboa
The Hebrew term shafan of Leviticus 11:5 is believed by some translators to be a reference to a hyrax. Some scholars dispute this and suggest instead that the term should be viewed as a reference to a jerboa. The text states that the above animal be regarded as non-kosher and unclean. The jerboa resembles a miniature kangaroo.
Diet: Herbivorous
Habitat: Africa, East Europe and Asia.
Kite
The Hebrew term da'ah of Leviticus 11:14 is believed by some translators to be a reference to a kite. Some scholars dispute this and suggest instead that the word should be viewed as a reference to a vulture. The text states that the above animal is to be regarded as non-kosher and unclean. The kite is a small member of the hawk family.
Diet: Carnivorous.
Habitat: In the southerly parts of secluded valleys.
Voice: Wailing.
Locusts
The red, yellow, spotted grey and white varieties of locusts are classified as kosher animals in a text which codifies key dietary precepts (see Leviticus 11:22). Locusts also appear as the protagonists of God's 8th plague against the Egyptians. The red locust is the most destructive member of the locust family. The yellow locust has a long bald head and the white locust is the smallest member of the locust family.
Diet: Herbivorous.
Habitat: Worldwide, except Antarctica.
Magpie
The Hebrew term Racham of Leviticus 11:18 is believed by some translators to be a reference to a magpie. Some scholars dispute this and suggest instead that the term should be viewed as a reference to a little desert owl. The text states that the above animal be regarded as non-kosher and unclean. The magpie is a member of the crow family.
Diet: Wide range of food
Habitat: Woodland, parks and gardens
Voice: Harsh, chattering (mimics human speech).
Mole
The Hebrew term anakah of Leviticus 11:30 is believed by some translators to be a reference to a mole. Some scholars dispute this and suggest instead that the term should be viewed as a reference to a hedgehog or a gecko. The text states that the above animal be regarded as non-kosher and unclean. The mole lives underground.
Diet: Insectivorous
Habitat: Europe, North America and Asia.
Monitor
The Hebrew term Ko'ach of Leviticus 11:30 is believed by some translators to be a reference to a monitor. Other scholars dispute this and suggest that the word should be viewed as a reference to a chameleon. The text states that the above animal is to be regarded as non-kosher and unclean. The monitor is one of the world's largest lizards.
Diet: Carnivorous
Habitat: Coast of Israel, Negev, Africa, Asia and Australia.
Voice: Loud hiss.
Mouse
The mouse is alluded to in a text which outlines key dietary precepts. It is stated there that it is to be regarded as unclean and non-kosher (see Leviticus 11:29). The mouse is a small hibernating rodent.
Diet: Herbivorous
Habitat: Worldwide.
Osprey
The Hebrew term Azniyah of Leviticus 11:13 is believed by some translators to be a reference to an osprey. Some scholars dispute this and suggest instead that the word should be viewed as a reference to an albatross or alternatively as a reference to a black vulture. The text states that the above animal is to be regarded as unclean and non-kosher. The osprey is a large member of the hawk family.
Diet: Carnivorous
Habitat: Worldwide, except Antarctica
Voice: Repeated high pitched whistles.
Ossifrage
The Hebrew term peres of Leviticus 11:13 is believed by some translators to be a reference to an ossifrage. Some scholars dispute this and suggest instead that the word should be viewed as a reference to a bearded vulture. The text states that the above animal is to be regarded unclean and non-kosher. It is the largest European bird of prey
Diet: Carnivorous
Habitat: Mountain areas from the Pyrenees to India.
Ostrich
The Hebrew term bath yaanah of Leviticus 11:16 is believed by some translators to be a reference to an ostrich. Some scholars dispute this and suggest instead that the term should be regarded as a reference to a desert eagle owl. The text states that the above animal be regarded as non-kosher and unclean. The ostrich is the largest member of the non-flying birds.
Diet: Carnivorous/Herbivorous
Habitat: Sandy plains
Voice: Mournful cry.
Owl
The Hebrew term tachmas of Leviticus 11:16 is believed by some translators to be a reference to an owl. Some scholars dispute this and suggest instead that the word be viewed as a reference to a falcon. The text states that the above animal is to be regarded as non-kosher and unclean. It is a nocturnal hunting bird.
Diet: Carnivorous
Habitat: Worldwide
Voice: Hooting and Eerie.
Pelican
The Hebrew tern ka'ath of Leviticus 11:18 is believed by some translators to be a reference to a pelican. Some scholars dispute this and suggest instead that the word should be viewed as a reference to a little desert owl. The text states that the above animal is to be regarded as non-kosher and unclean.
Diet: Fish
Habitat: Hula Reserve in Israel, Africa, Europe and Asia.
Raven
The raven is described as a non-kosher and unclean animal in a text which codifies key dietary precepts (see Leviticus 11:15 ). The raven is the largest member of the crow family.
Diet: Carnivorous (Carrion)
Habitat: Worldwide in many environments.
Voice: Croaking.
Salamander
The Hebrew term tinshemeh of Leviticus 11:30 is believed by some translators to be a reference to a mole. Other scholars dispute this and suggest instead that the word should be viewed as a reference to a salamander. The above animal is said to be unclean. It is a non-kosher amphibian with strong limbs.
Diet: Carnivorous
Habitat: Everywhere but Antarctica and Greenland.
Sheep
The sheep is considered to be kosher and clean according to a central dietary rule (see Leviticus 11:3). The sheep is a wool producing ruminant.
Diet: Herbivorous
Habitat: Worldwide.
Skink
The Hebrew term chomet of Leviticus 11:30 is believed by some translators to be reference to a skink. Other scholars dispute this and suggest that the word should be viewed as a reference to a snail. The text states that the above animal is to be regarded as non-kosher and unclean. The skink is a small, brightly colored lizard.
Diet: Insectivorous/Herbivorous
Habitat: In most warm regions of the world.
Stork
The stork or the chasidah of the Hebrew text of Leviticus 11:19 is described as a non-kosher and unclean animal in a text which codifies key dietary precepts (see Leviticus 11:19). Some scholars dispute this identification: according to them the stork belongs to a kosher group of animals, and is not therefore the correct translation for the term chasidah.
Diet: Frogs
Habitat: Worldwide.
Swan
The Hebrew term tinshemeth of Leviticus 11:18 is believed by some translators to be a reference to a swan. Other scholars dispute this and suggest instead that the word should be viewed as a reference to either a bat or to an owl, possibly more specifically a barn screech owl. The text states that the above animal is to be regarded as non-kosher and unclean. The swan is one of the largest water birds. It is endowed with a thick plumage.
Diet: Herbivorous
Habitat: North West Europe
Voice: Hiss
Weasel
The Hebrew term choled of Leviticus 11:29 is considered by some translators to be a reference to weasel. Other scholars dispute this and suggest instead that the term should be viewed as a reference to an ermine or a martin or a rat or a mole or lastly a mole-rat. The text states that the above animal is to be viewed as non-kosher and unclean. The weasel is a fearsome predator and is a member of the mustelid family.
Diet: Carnivorous
Habitat: Africa, Europe, America and Asia.
