Q&A: Explanation of an Aggadic Passage
Explanation of an Aggadic Passage
Question
Hello Rabbi,
I’m looking for a satisfying explanation:
“As it was taught: A male hyena, after seven years, becomes a bat; a bat, after seven years, becomes a vampire; a vampire, after seven years, becomes a kimush; a kimush, after seven years, becomes a thornbush; a thornbush, after seven years, becomes a demon.
(Bava Kamma 16a)
Best regards,
Answer
An aggadic passage that is obviously not meant literally, but rather comes to convey some idea. I don’t deal with aggadic passages.
Discussion on Answer
I’m not looking for proofs of evolution from the Sages, for several reasons: 1. There is no indication whatsoever that they knew science better than the people of their time. 2. Science is confirmed through observations and scientific tools, not through equidistant-letter skips in rabbinic midrashim. In other words: if I were convinced that evolution is not correct, no midrash would change that. And if I think it is correct, then no midrash for or against it is relevant. 3. This midrash is bizarre and you can derive anything from it. It was probably meant to convey an idea, not facts.
Maybe this is proof of evolution from the Talmud?