Parsha

This Week In The Torah

Parsha Shemini Leviticus/Vayikra Ch.9/1 - 47/11

Look Ma, No Fins!
by Rabbi Yechezkel Fox

This may you eat from everything that is in the water: everything that has fins and scales in the water, in the seas, and in the streams, those you may eat. Ch.11/9

Even though the Torah says that we need fish to have fins and scales, our Sages have a tradition from Sinai that as long as it has scales, you can assume that it has fins without even seeing them (i.e., if you have just a piece of the fish). But if this is so, why did the Torah have to give us two signs for the fish to be kosher? Let it just say scales!

A few hundred years ago there was a fish that was discovered, and lo and behold, it had scales but no fins. This seemed to present a challenge to the rule our Sages gave us. However, this fish, known as the Steinicus Marinus, is poisonous and in no way edible.Therefore, it does not contradict the rule of our Sages, which referred to buying fish at the fishmonger, who presumably will not be selling lethal fish.

In addition, had the Torah stipulated only scales, somebody who caught this poisonous fish might have eaten it, thinking it was kosher and safe. But since the Torah mentions fins as well as scales, he would just throw it back.

Sources: Magen Avraham

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An Abominable Kindness

These shall you abominate from among the birds, they may not be eaten - they are an abomination......the chasidah, the anafah according to its kind, the duchifas, and the atalef. Ch.11/13,19

Rashi asks about the Chasidah: Why has its name been designated as the Kind One (translation of Chasidah)? And answers: for it does kindness with its companions with food.

In Judaism we believe in the idea that you are what you eat. It surprising, therefore, that this bird, which is so kind, is branded an abomination, and forbidden for consumption.

However, as Rashi said, it does kindness with its companions. Strangers don't count. That shows that the acts of kindness are only tit-for-tat. Real kindness would extend to absolute strangers, as well. Such is the kindness that is part of our heritage from our forefather Avraham (see Bereishis 18/1-8).

Sources: Imrei Emes

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