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17 [1] AND HE SHALL REND IT ‘BICHNAFAV’ — “together with its feathers. He need not pluck out the feathers of its plumage. *Knafav* means the actual feathers [not the wings].” This is the language of Rashi. But it is not correct, for if so, then Scripture does not mention from which place he is to rend [the bird], whether from its front or back. Rather, the meaning thereof is as follows: “he shall rend it at the place of its wings,” for the letter *beth* [in the word *bichnafav*] serves here as “the *beth* of apparatus,” [teaching that the rending is to be done from the back of the bird where “the wings” are, for *knafav*, as will be explained, means “its wings,” and not “its feathers” as Rashi explained]; similar to the expression, *ba’aron*, (in the ark), *ba’bayith*, (in the house), or *ba’sadeh* (in the field). *Knafav* does not mean “feathers” [as Rashi wrote], but is similar to all expressions of *knafayim* mentioned in Scripture [which mean wings]: *every bird, whatever hath ‘kanaf’* (*wings*); *and he stretcheth ‘knafav’* (*his wings*) *towards the south*. Similarly, *‘bichnaf’* (*the skirt*) *of his robe*. *Notzah* is the down [the soft under-plumage] on the body of birds, something like that which is written, *a great eagle with great wings and long pinions, full of ‘hanotzah’* (*down*). Similarly we have learned [in the Mishnah]: “Large feathers and down are both capable of contracting uncleanness and conveying uncleanness, and join together [with the flesh to make up the required size that is needed to convey uncleanness].” The Rabbis have also said: “excepting the beak and claws, the large feathers and the down.”
Version: Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976
Source: https://www.nli.org.il/he/books/NNL_ALEPH002108945/NLI
License: CC-BY