[Avodah] Parah Aduma. Is it "Red Cow" or "Red Heifer"
Galsaba at aol.com
Galsaba at aol.com
Sun Feb 11 15:30:15 PST 2007
Mishna Artscroll says that it is wrong to call Parah Aduma Red Heifer,
because the Parah Aduma must be 3 or 4, while according to Webster Dictionary Heifer
is less than 3, therefore Hefoer cannot serve as Parah Aduma.
I checked the following:
In most places I checked Heifer = Parah Adumah.
In Britanica: Hebrew Para Adumma, in Jewish history, unblemished,
never-before-yoked animal.
I found also: Heifer A young female cow of over 12 months old, which may or
may not have had a calf.
According to Webster On Line: a young cow; especially : one that has not had
a calf
it did not mention the age, but the hardcooy Webster I have does say under 3
years old.
According to Hilchot Parah Aduma, the rambam mentioned (as you stated) Bat
Shalosh or Bat Arba,
and also או שנרבעה--פסולה: (o shenirbea pesulah)
In my opinion the fact that the Para is Para that not nirbea was the dominent
reason why it is called Heifer.
the onse who call it a cow consider more the age then than the fact that the
cow should not be one that had a calf.
So what would be the right translation for Para Adumah?
Thanks,
Aaron
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