Philonis Judaei Opera Omnia (Vol. 7)

and whatever encompasses scientific species: since the immolation receives agreement and adapted words and opinion, as well as all knowledge, by which not only are the tracks of truth usurped, but also covered over, just as love is covered by flattery; so that the very genuine things, proven by experiment, are exchanged for alien and untested things.

However, the natures of the aforementioned animals bear a familiarity with the parts of the universe. P. A 171 The ox belongs to the earth, as a plowman and farmer. And the goat belongs to the water, (in Greek and Armenian aix goat or aiga) being called an animal that acts and makes an onslaught (from ago to lead, aïssō to rush), since water is impetuous; and the courses of rivers and the extensions of the breadth of the sea are witnesses, and the sea itself suffering from its flux. The ram belongs to the air, as it is very violent and lively; whence also the ram is more useful to men than all other animals, and it also provides them with clothing. For these reasons, therefore, I think he advises taking those first females, the goat and the cow, since both those elements, earth and water, are material and almost female; but the third is male, the ram, because air or wind is rendered as if it were male. For the natures of all things are distinguished either into body or into earth and water, and they are female by nature; but what provides a likeness to the soul, into the air and a more vital breath; and this, as I have said, is male: if, therefore, it is necessary to call the moving cause and agent 'male', then that which is moved and suffers must be called 'female'.

As for the winged creatures, like the dove and the turtledove, the whole heaven is found to be familiar to them, distributed into the circuit of planets and fixed stars. Therefore, he assigns the dove to the planets, for it is a tame and domesticated animal; just as the planets are more familiar to us, as they are closer to the earth and suffer with us. To the fixed stars, how- P. A 172 ever, he assigns the turtledove, for this animal is a lover of solitude, and it flees the conversation of the multitude, just as it flees copulation: thus the wandering-free sphere the fixed stars is distant and at the furthest extremities of the world. Therefore, both orders of the two birds are assimilated to the celestial virtues, since as the Socratic Plato says, the winged chariot is fitting for the heaven due to its most rapid revolution, as it surpasses even the birds themselves in speed in its course. The aforementioned birds are singers, indicating under a riddle the perfect music that is in heaven, harmoniously adjusted by the motion of the stars. For it is an argument of human art, by which every harmonious song of the voice of animals and of musical instruments is constructed through the industry of wit; but the Creator does not generously extend that heavenly song down to the earth, just as he does not extend the solar rays, as he takes care to be cautious for the human race. For such a song excites madness in the ears and, bringing untamed pleasure to the soul, causes food and drink to be despised, and we almost die with death approaching through hunger due to the desire for the song: if the singing of the Sirens, as Homer said, invites listeners so violently that they consign to oblivion their homeland, home, friends, and necessary food; how much more does that most perfect and highest harmony, endowed with truly heavenly music reaching the instrument of the ear, force one to go mad and prophesy?