Philonis Judaei Opera Omnia (Vol. 7)

of mixture. But the fifth substance is mixed and is made pure alone, for which reason it was not accustomed to be indicated. Wherefore it is rightly said: He did not divide the birds; since the celestial nature, both of the planets and of the fixed stars, is exalted like the birds, to the likeness of both clean birds, the turtledove and the dove, which scarcely admit of division or section: for this indivisible nature imitates unity more, because of the fifth essence which is more sincere and pure.

§. 7. Since those divided animals, symbolically the heifer, the goat, and the ram, are signs, as we have said, of earth, water, and air: there is, however, a need to adapt the rendering of the reason, with the truth weighed under the mystery of the likeness. Perhaps, therefore, he designates by the flight of the birds over the sections, warning of the invasion of enemies. For the whole nature that is under the moon is full of wars and of domestic and external malignities. Because of food and gluttony, the birds are seen to fly over the divided bodies: for by nature the stronger rush over the unwarlike as if over dead bodies, mostly invading unexpectedly. But they do not fly over the turtledove and the dove, since the celestial ones are immune from passions and cannot be defrauded.

§. 8. Those who think that the immolation is designated by the things present would say that the upright man, sitting as if in a synagogue, scrutinized the entrails; as if that were considered a constant symbol for declaring the truth. We, however, adhering to Moses and the pleasure of our master