Unclean animal (Leviticus 11:29). Saadia, Bochart, and others render
In the Talmud the common weasel, Mustela vulgaris, is mentioned under the names
It is above all dangerous to the cat. Hence the proverb "Weasel and cat wed," applied to simulated friendship (Sanh. 105a). Like all small beasts of prey, the weasel carries off glittering objects to its hole (Lev. R. 171:4). The weasel alone of all land animals has no counterpart in the sea (Ḥul. 127a). It was employed in clearing the house of mice (B. Ḳ. 80a). On the use of the weasel in divination see Sanh. 66a; and for the pretty story of the weasel and the well which, as witnesses of a betrothal, avenged its breach, see Rashi on Ta'an. 8a.
Bibliogrpahy:
- Tristram, Nat. Hist. p. 151;
- Lewysohn, Z. T. pp. 91, 366.
E. G. H.
I. M. C.
The contents of the 12-volume Jewish Encyclopedia, which was originally published between 1901-1906. The Jewish Encyclopedia, which recently became part of the public domain, contains over 15,000 articles and illustrations.
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