רע"ב מסכת בבא קמא פרק ז משנה ז
אין מגדלין בהמה דקה בארץ ישראל. משום ישוב ארץ ישראל, שמפסידין את הזרעים
It is not right to breed "small cattle" [sheep] in the land of Israel: because of settlement of the land of Israel, since they destroy the seeds.[translation by Y. Neril]
Suggested Discussion Questions:
1. Why was breeding “small cattle” prohibited?
2. The land of Israel had an ecosystem that “small cattle” would have thrown out of balance, which would have caused crop failures. What actions today may throw our ecosystems out of balance? What actions might prevent this?
3. Based on this commentary, what does Judaism have to say about balance in the physical world?
Time Period: Medieval (Geonim through the 16th Century)