Chullin

includes [in its prohibition] chicks that have not yet opened their eyes!1 — This [latter] prohibition is only Rabbinic2 and the verse adduced is merely a support. Our Rabbis taught: The exudation of eggs is permitted.3 Addled4 eggs may be eaten by those who are not squeamish.5 If there was found on it a spot of blood, the blood must be thrown away and rest [of the egg] may be eaten. R. Jeremiah said: This is so, provided it was found upon the knot.6 Dosthai, the father of Aptoriki, taught: This rule7 applies only if [the spot of blood was] found on the white,8 but if found on the yolk the whole egg is forbidden, for the decay has spread over the entire [egg].9 R. Gebiha of Be-Kathil10 said to R. Ashi, A Tanna once recited this statement before Abaye in just the reverse form,11 but Abaye corrected him so as to make it agree with the above. Hezekiah said: Whence do we know that the egg of an unclean bird is prohibited by the Torah? Because it is written: And the bath ha-ya'anah.12 Now has the ya'anah a daughter? It can only mean the egg of an unclean bird.13 But perhaps this is its actual name?14 — This cannot be, for it is written: The daughter of my people is become cruel, like the ye'enim15 [ostriches] in the wilderness.16 But on the other hand it is written: I will make a wailing like the jackals, and a mourning like the benoth ya'anah [ostriches].17 — There it means, as the ya'anah mourns for its young. But there is also written: And benoth ya'anah [ostriches] shall dwell there!18 — It means as the ya'anah dwells with its young. But there is also written: The beasts of the field shall honour Me, the jackals and the benoth ya'anah [ostriches],19 and if you were to say that it20 refers to the egg, [it will be asked.] Can an egg sing hymns [unto the Lord]? — Indeed both ya'anah and bath ya'anah are [found] written, but in this particular instance it is different, since the scribe has divided the word into two; (and since the scribe has divided it rendered unfit through the sweating or exudation of juices from the unclean eggs, for it is insignificant and negligible (Rashi and R. Gershom). Another interpretation is: Eggs driven out by a blow and not laid by the hen; i.e., abortive eggs, (so Tosaf., Aruch and Hal. Ged.). account of the prohibition, Ye shall not make yourselves detestable, Lev. XI. 43. (Torath Hayyim). egg, is meant, from which alone the embryo is formed. According to Rashi and many early commentators, however, the reference is to the stringy portion in the white of the egg, the chalaza, which was formerly supposed to be the male sperm. if found on the white the whole egg is forbidden. of an unclean bird is forbidden. compound name, bath ha-ya'anah.