More Discussions for this daf
1. Hunting 2. Stun Gun 3. Removal of kidneys
4. Tereifahs
DAF DISCUSSIONS - CHULIN 54

Shmuel Katz asked:

Is a Jew allowed to Hunt for sport ? and more important can you go fishing for fun, if you don't plan on eating the fish you catch, nor give it to a Goy to eat ?

I would imagine not ( Tzar Balye Chaim ?, Achzariut ? ), and the gemaruh is referring to hunting for a purpose, ie. the skins, fur, etc.. What about if it relaxes a person, and he gets emotional relief from stress by hunting, is that considered a purpose ?

Thank You,

Shmuel Katz

The Kollel replies:

Here is what we wrote about hunting in Sanhedrin 95:2 , I hope it answers your question.

Mordecai

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2) HUNTING

QUESTION: The Gemara says that David ha'Melech went to "Sechor Biza'ei." RASHI, in one explanation, according to the Girsa of the MAHARSHAL and EIN YAKOV, says that this refers to "Kanigya," which means a hunting expedition. The ARUCH (Erech Sechor Biza'ei) similarly translates this term as "falconing." (Perhaps the word "Parsi" in Rashi should say "Peres," which is a falcon.) A similar Gemara later (107a) describes how David ha'Melech shot arrows at birds.

It seems from here that hunting is a legitimate activity. However, the Gemara in Avodah Zarah (18b) says that the verse in the beginning of Tehilim (1:1), which mentions the "ways of sinners," is referring to those who participate in hunting expeditions!

The NODA B'YEHUDAH (Yoreh De'ah 2:10) points out that the only people in Tanach known to have been hunters were Nimrod and Esav (who were both Resha'im). Purposeless killing of animals for the sake of the hunter's enjoyment alone is not a Jewish activity. (See also TESHUVOS MAHARI BRUNA #71.)

Why, then, was David ha'Melech involved hunting?

ANSWER: The verse refers to David as "Admoni" (Shmuel I 16:12). The Midrash explains that he was born under the same Mazal as Esav -- Ma'adim. The Gemara in Shabbos (156a) says that a person born in the Mazal of Ma'adim will be one "who spills blood." The Gemara explains that if he redirects his tendencies in the proper way, then he will use them to become a blood-letter, Shochet, or a Mohel. David ha'Melech, as king, was not able to do any of those, and thus perhaps he redirected his tendency to spill blood towards hunting animals, so that he should not kill people.

Regarding the waste and wanton destructiveness involved, perhaps David ha'Melech wanted to use the hide of the deer for use as parchment for writing a Sefer Torah (as we find with regard to Rebbi Chiya in Kesuvos 103b). The birds at which he shot arrows (on 107a) and the flesh of the deer that he hunted might have been used to feed to his dogs (as we find in Shabbos 30b, which describes the large kennels that he had).

The MARGOLIYOS HA'YAM (#15) suggests that David ha'Melech might have used a very sharp arrow and shot the animal in the neck, performing a proper Shechitah (as we find in Chulin 17b).