Mitzvah —
237
Not to work different animals together
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לֹֽא־תַחֲרֹ֥שׁ בְּשׁוֹר־וּבַחֲמֹ֖ר יַחְדָּֽו׃ - פָּרָשַׁת כִּי־תֵצֵא
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Deuteronomy 22:10 - "You shall not plow with an ox and a donkey together."
This Mitzvah's Summary
מִצְוָה עֲשֵׂה - Positive Commandment
מִצְוָה לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה - Negative Commandment
Agriculture – חַקְלָאוּת
It is forbidden to harness or work two different species of animals together, such as an ox and a donkey.
This mitzvah prohibits plowing, pulling, or working with animals of different species yoked together. While similar to the prohibition of crossbreeding (kilayim), this law emphasizes fairness and compassion as well as respect for Divine order.
The Torah highlights the example of an ox and donkey, which differ in strength and stamina. Working them together causes unnecessary suffering and reflects insensitivity to creation. It also symbolizes a broader principle: Hashem’s separations in nature must be maintained in both farming and labor.
Commentary & Classical Explanation:
- Rambam (Hilchot Kilayim 9:7): Forbids any form of work using two species together, not just plowing.
- Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 550): Explains that the root is compassion — preventing animal suffering caused by unequal pairing. It also trains us to respect Divine distinctions.
- Talmud (Bava Metzia 90b): Discusses the principle of tza’ar ba’alei chayim (prohibition of causing animal suffering), which underlies this mitzvah.
- Rashi (Deuteronomy 22:10): Notes that the Torah chose the example of ox and donkey because their differences make the suffering most apparent.
Commentaries
(Source: Chabad.org)
Applying this Mitzvah Today
Notes on this Mitzvah's Fundamentals
Faith – אֱמוּנָה
- Rashi (Deuteronomy 22:10) explains this prohibition as a Divine command (chok). Faith means obeying Hashem’s decrees even when the reason is not obvious, trusting that His wisdom sets the right boundaries.
Holiness – קְדֻשָּׁה
- Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 550) notes that avoiding kilayim in labor preserves distinctions in creation, elevating even mundane farm work into an act of holiness.
Animals – בְּהֵמוֹת
- Rambam (Hilchot Kilayim 9:7) rules that the prohibition applies to all forms of work with two species yoked together, not just plowing. The mitzvah directly concerns how animals are treated and used.
Kilayim – כִּלְאַיִם
- Talmud (Bava Metzia 90b) expands this mitzvah into the broader framework of kilayim — forbidden mixtures — teaching us to respect the natural distinctions established by Hashem.
Compassion – רַחֲמִים
- Sefer HaChinuch emphasizes that this law prevents animal suffering (tza’ar ba’alei chayim). An ox and donkey have different strengths and temperaments, so yoking them together causes stress and cruelty.
Justice – צֶדֶק
- Justice here means fairness in labor. Just as we must not exploit workers, the Torah commands us to avoid unjust treatment of animals by forcing them into unequal partnerships.
Bein Adam L’Makom – בֵּין אָדָם לְמָקוֹם
- The mitzvah reflects loyalty to Hashem’s will. Respecting natural distinctions is a form of service to G-d, reminding us that boundaries in creation are sacred.
Bein Adam L’Chavero – בֵּין אָדָם לַחֲבֵרוֹ
- Compassion cultivated through this mitzvah extends to human relationships. As Sefer HaChinuch notes, the Torah trains our middot (character) so that mercy toward animals shapes how we treat people as well.
