Mitzvah —
187
Not to eat creatures that live in water other than fish
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אַל־תְּשַׁקְּצוּ֙ אֶת־נַפְשֹׁ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם בְּכׇל־הַשֶּׁ֖רֶץ הַשֹּׁרֵ֑ץ וְלֹ֤א תִֽטַּמְּאוּ֙ בָּהֶ֔ם וְנִטְמֵתֶ֖ם בָּֽם׃ - פָּרָשַׁת שְּׁמִינִי
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Leviticus 11:43 - "You shall not make yourselves abominable with any creeping creature that creeps, and you shall not defile yourselves with them, that you should become unclean through them."
This Mitzvah's Summary
מִצְוָה עֲשֵׂה - Positive Commandment
מִצְוָה לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה - Negative Commandment
Kashrut – כַּשְׁרוּת
Forbidden to eat any water creatures lacking fins and scales.
This mitzvah prohibits eating any living creatures from the water that do not meet the Torah’s criteria for kosher fish. These include all shellfish, crabs, lobsters, shrimp, octopus, and other aquatic animals. They are deemed a sheketz (abomination), emphasizing their impurity. By forbidding these species, the Torah instills mindfulness and holiness in the Jewish diet, reinforcing separation from nations who consume them freely.
Commentary & Classical Explanation:
- Rambam (Hilchot Ma’achalot Asurot 2:12): Rules that all sea creatures without both fins and scales are prohibited, whether fish-like or otherwise.
- Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 164): The root is to distance Israel from impurity and develop refinement by avoiding foods that spiritually damage the soul.
- Talmud (Chullin 66b): Clarifies that this prohibition extends beyond fish to all aquatic creatures that lack the required signs.
Commentaries
(Source: Chabad.org)
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