Birds, Goats, and Stars – Are They Alike?

In Jewish tradition, our sages have taught us an important principle: when the Torah speaks of two items and repeats their designation with the word 'two,' it’s a sign that they are equal.

This is learned from the phrase 'two great lights,' meaning the sun and the moon were created equal. The moon was diminished, but in the future, 'the light of the moon will be like the light of the sun.' Amazingly, this refers not only to the past and the future but the present as well. Precise measurements reveal that from our vantage point, the diameter of the sun and the moon is exactly the same! Of course, the difference between them is vast, but they are positioned in such a way that the sun's distance makes it appear the same size as the moon. This is easy to see during a solar eclipse when the moon gradually covers the sun perfectly. Is this just a coincidence? It's more plausible that this is what the Creator inscribed in the Torah: 'two great lights,' both equal.

Similarly, our sages inferred that the two goats on Yom Kippur must be equal. One goat is for Hashem and the other for Azazel, determined by lot, but we present an equal choice for both directions.

The discussion becomes intriguing when considering the two birds for the purification of a metzora. The Torah instructs the priest to 'send away the one bird.' Like the goat for Azazel, one bird is offered as a sacrifice, and one is set free. The return of the bird to nature symbolizes the release of the metzora, who is now as free as a bird. Another interpretation suggests the opposite: the bird is dipped in blood to symbolize its carrying of tzaraat, similar to the goat for Azazel, and it's sent away along with the impurity of tzaraat.

Either way, the Midrash Tanchuma states 'the one bird – the clear bird,' and Rabbi Hirsch explains: the better and more beautiful bird. Yet the Torah T'mimah questions this, noting sages have also required 'two birds must be of identical appearance.' If both are equal, how can one be more beautiful? Hence, he interprets the 'clear bird' as pre-selected for sending away.

Some commentators explain that although the birds need to be similar, they are not required to be identical twins, as that would be difficult to achieve. Rather, they should generally resemble each other, allowing for one to still be better in some respects.