[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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