God is bringing forth life in abundance, filling the waters with all kinds of fish, male and female, both clean and unclean. But how do we tell the difference? How do we know what’s permissible to eat?
Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer lays it out simply: "By two signs are they declared to be clean, by the fins and by their scales; and if they do not have them (i.e. both signs) they are unclean." So, if a fish has both fins and scales, it's kosher. If it lacks either, it's not. Simple. But the waters didn't just bring forth fish. The text continues, "On the fifth day He caused the waters to bring forth abundantly all kinds of locusts, male and female, clean and unclean." Locusts! Yes, some types of locusts are considered kosher in Jewish tradition, primarily among some Yemenite Jewish communities.
Again, we're given two signs to look for: "by their long legs with which they jump, and by the wings which cover the entire body, such are clean." Long legs for jumping and wings that cover the body. Keep an eye out next time you see a locust!
Here's where it gets even more interesting. The text then makes a distinction in how we treat these creatures. "Such (living things) as were brought forth from the water, namely, fish and locusts, are (eaten) without (being subject to the laws of) Shechitah." Shechitah, of course, is ritual slaughtering, a specific method used for mammals and birds. But fish and kosher locusts? They don't require it.
Why? Because they came from the water. "But the bird," the text continues, "cannot be eaten unless (it be killed) by (the method of) Shechiḳah.” Shechikah is another term for ritual slaughter. Birds, being creatures of the land and air, require this specific method.
And there's a final, fascinating detail: "Such creatures which have been created from the earth have their blood covered with earth, and such as have been created from the water must have their blood poured out like water." Different origins, different rituals. Creatures of the earth get their blood covered; creatures of the water have their blood poured out.
What does all this tell us? Beyond the specific rules, it hints at a profound understanding of the interconnectedness of creation and the ways in which we interact with the natural world. It's a reminder that even the simple act of eating can be a sacred act, governed by rules and traditions that connect us to something larger than ourselves. It invites us to consider the origins of our food, the methods by which it comes to us, and the deeper meaning behind the laws that guide our choices. So, the next time you're enjoying a meal, take a moment to appreciate the history and tradition on your plate. It might just surprise you.