Why the Nations Were Permitted Creeping Things at Sinai

Another interpretation of "He stood and measured the earth" (Habakkuk 3:6): He sought to return the world to the measure of its waters, when the nations did not wish to accept the Torah. Had it not been for Israel, who accepted it, the world would have returned to the measure of its waters, as it is said, "Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand?" (Isaiah 40:12). And once Israel accepted it, the earth was quieted, as it is said, "The earth feared and was quiet" (Psalms 76:9). And from there the nations received their sentence: "He looked and loosed the nations" (Habakkuk 3:6). What was it? Rabbi Abba bar Kahana said in the name of Rabbi Yochanan: He loosed their blood (of the seven nations), as it is said, "And the nations shall surely be destroyed" (Isaiah 60:12). Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai says: He loosed their blood (of the seven nations) and their possessions [otherwise, as in the matter that is said, "to spy out the land" (Numbers 13:16)]. Rabbi Acha said: He made them leap into Gehinnom, as it is said, "to leap with them upon the earth" (Leviticus 11:21). Rabbi Huna of Sepphoris said: He loosed their girdles, as in the matter that is said, "He looses the bond of kings, and binds a girdle on their loins" (Job 12:18). Rabbi Tanchum ben Chanilai said: He permitted to them the forbidden things, the abominable creatures and the creeping things. To what is the matter comparable? To a physician who went to visit two sick people. He saw that one of them was in danger; he said to the members of his household, "Give him to eat whatever he asks." He saw the one who was returning to life; he said to the members of his household, "Such-and-such food he may eat, such-and-such food he may not eat." They said to the physician, "What did you see between this one and that one [that to this one who is in danger you said, let him eat whatever he asks, and to this one who is returning to life you said, such-and-such he may eat and such-and-such he may not eat]?" The physician said to them, "To this one, whom I saw is unto death, I said, give it to him, for he is unto death; [but this one, in whom there is life, let him guard himself]." So too the Holy One, blessed be He, permitted to the nations who serve stars the abominable creatures and the creeping things and all the transgressions, because they are for Gehinnom. But to Israel, who are for the life of the Garden of Eden, He said to them, "Do not make your souls abominable" (Leviticus 11:43), "And you shall be holy, for I am holy" (Leviticus 11:44). This you shall eat and this you shall not eat. Why? Because they are alive, as it is said, "But you who cling to the Lord your God are alive, all of you, this day" (Deuteronomy 4:4). Thus, "He stood and measured the earth," etc.