עברית
Halachot and Customs
Is it permitted to raise parrots at home?
Question
Hello dear Rabbi,
I raise parrots on my balcony
and I recently heard that it is written in the Zohar that those who raise birds in their homes will incur some sort of punishment
My question is whether this applies to all types of birds?
And is it specifically about raising them at home or not necessarily?
In any case, is it advisable not to raise parrots at home?
Thank you very much
Answer
Greetings,
1. It is permitted to raise parrots at home, as written by the Beit Yosef in Yoreh De'ah (Siman 192) in the name of the Arachot Chaim. So too, the Maharikash writes in his glosses there, and the Orach Chaim in his book Pri Torah (Sif 1) and the Birkei Yosef in Shiyurei Beracha (Sif 2).
2. However, it is advisable not to keep singing birds at home, and those who are lenient in this matter are not to be distanced (Shut Beitzel Hachochmah, Part 5, Siman 30).
3. It is highly preferable to avoid raising doves and turtle doves at home (see the Testament of Rabbi Yehuda the Pious, additional warnings, Article 8, and the book Negid Umitzvah, beginning of the second part, in the name of Rabbi Chaim Vital).
Best regards,
Hillel Meirs
