Avraham and Sarah in Provence - Hakirah

248 : Ḥakirah, the Flatbush Journal of Jewish Law and Thought
Yeshivah world. 101
Rashba’s teacher, Ramban, was not averse to this symbolism either,
considering it as possibly being rooted in scientific fact. 102 “According
to the Greek philosophers, all the body of a fetus comes
from the woman, with that which is contributed from the male being
the force they call ילויה which puts the tzurah into the chomer.” (Ramban
Al HaTorah, Vayikra 12:2). Rabbeinu Bachye (ibid.), the student of
Rashba brings, with apparent approval, some of the evidence that
supports this scientific theory and elaborates upon it, using it to explain
how Yaakov was able to control the genetic characteristics of
his flock. He tells us, with no qualms, that this is the theory of “the
wise man, the head of the philosophers.” 103
Aggados Chazal and Halachah
The symbolism of chomer and tzurah is so basic that we find Chazal
using it often in the aggados they use to teach philosophical truths.
The philosophical truths found in aggados are crucial and they also
serve as the basis of halachah, for halachah is a reflection of the principles
of Jewish philosophy. Thus the recognition of Chazal’s methodology
in their usage of the chomer/tzurah allegory is essential, in order
that one be able to understand the teachings of the Talmud. 104
In the Peirush HaMishnayos to Avos (4:7), Rambam brings evidence
to the fact that our Chachamim willingly accepted dire poverty in their
refusal to accept financial support, from several Aggados Chazal. “And
of Chanina ben Dosa of whom it was announced (Taanis 24b) [by a
bas kol] ‘the whole world is only fed because of Chanina my son, and
Chanina my son suffices with a kav of charuvim from week to week.”
Tashbetz and Bais Yosef understand this as a praise of Chanina’s selfimposed
asceticism and therefore see no evidence here that Chanina
suffered because he refused to take from others. But Rambam in fact
101 It was central to Rav Hutner’s thought and hence central to the thinking
that dominates Yeshivas Chaim Berlin. From there and from elsewhere,
it has spread far and wide.
102 This same claim was made by R. Levi b. Avraham, as we noted above.
103 Aristotle.
104 In discussing Esther’s marital status, we have already given one case in
which understanding aggados affects halachah.