Why Was the Dove Chosen as a Symbol of Peace?

Greetings to the esteemed Rabbi. During Noah's time, the dove was chosen to deliver the joyous message that peace had returned to the world and the destruction ceased. I wanted to ask why the dove, which by nature is very aggressive, was specifically chosen as a symbol of peace? And why was the dove chosen for this task that to this day represents peace? Thank you in advance, Avraham

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Greetings,

Birds of prey (predators) are more aggressive, difficult to train, and might even attack humans. However, the dove is not an aggressive bird and is easy to raise (in the past, they were even used to deliver messages). The dove is loyal, and it has the unique characteristic of loyalty to its partner, thus representing the modesty between partners. 

The dove also serves as a metaphor for faith and trust in the goodness of Hashem: "Rabbi Elazar said: The dove said before Hashem: Master of the Universe, let my sustenance be as bitter as an olive but dependent on Your hand, and not sweet as honey but dependent on mortal hand".

(Photo: shutterstock)

In culture, peace is often represented by a dove, based on the story of the flood where the dove revealed to Noah the end of the flood's destruction and the coming of peace to the world. Therefore, the dove is depicted with an olive branch in its mouth, symbolizing the renewal of vegetation after the flood, and thereby representing redemption.

It seems to me that the dove was chosen because of its characteristic of loyalty, as it tends to return to its fixed home. Thus, the people of Israel are likened to a dove that eventually returns to Hashem.

Blessings,

Daniel Bles