Enumerated among the unclean birds (Leviticus 11:19 [R. V. margin, "ibis"]; Deuteronomy 14:18; comp. Targ.
In the Talmud the heron is characterized, in allusion to the etymology of its name ("anaf"), as a cruel and irascible bird, and is contrasted with the pious stork (Ḥul. 63a; comp. Rashi to Leviticus 11:19).
Bibliography:
- Tristram, The Natural History of the Bible, p. 241;
- L. Lewysohn, Zoologie des Talmuds, p. 169.
E. G. H.
I. M. C.
The contents of the 12-volume Jewish Encyclopedia, which was originally published between 1901-1906. The Jewish Encyclopedia, which recently became part of the public domain, contains over 15,000 articles and illustrations.
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