Fish: Difference between revisions

[[File:דגים2.jpg|thumb|The Fish of The Sea]]

'''fish''' is an aquatic creature that lives in water, has gills and is cold-blooded.

In [[Chabad Chassidus Philosophy|Chassidus]] it is explained that the reason reproduction is appropriately compared to fish is because fish are cold and have no desire (fish reproduction occurs through the male depositing seed on the female's eggs in the water), and their multiplication is not done through desire, which indicates reproduction for the sake of Heaven and not for desire.

The neshamos of tzaddikim reincarnate in fish, and the neshamos of tzaddikim and talmidei chachamim sometimes descend into fish since tzaddikim are attached and connected "to complete unity with Elokus... in absolute bitul" therefore their neshamos reincarnate in fish since fish cannot exist without water. To one chossid who got a fish bone stuck in his throat, the Alter Rebbe said: "The neshamos of tzaddikim one needs to know how to eat." Tzaddikim elevate to the level of chesed through being elevated thus to their neshamah's root.

The term "nunei yama" is mentioned frequently in [[Sefer HaZohar|the holy Zohar]] as a mashal for tzaddikim of the highest level, like Rav Hamnuna Saba, one of the elder Tanaim of the Zohar. Regarding this, the Alter Rebbe explains that the movement of tzaddikim called nunei yama is wondrous and very elevated, like the mashal of fish swimming in the sea - they swim and in one flight reach higher and higher. One of these tzaddikim was the holy Tanna [[Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai|Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai]]. Therefore, when RASHBI was in the cave, he did not fulfill several practical mitzvos as mentioned above, but rather everything was spiritual, beyond the level of rejoicing with meat etc. This is the concept of the Levyasan's fins with which it swims from one end of the sea to the other. Therefore the entire world stands on the Levyasan which encompasses the whole world, as known in the words of Chazal.

There is an additional explanation in Chassidus regarding fish, which is the aspect of Hashem Echad (G-d is One), which is the drawing down of Daas Elyon whose concept is yichuda ila'ah, which is also called "sea" - as the entirety of the sea is one existence in which everything exists and is included and is not separate from it. Therefore fish do not create a chatzitzah (separation) in a mikvah and are counted in the forty se'ah measure.

It is told that during a Shabbos seudah in the court of the Rebbe of Vilednik, they served the Rebbe a platter with two large fish, and immediately the Rebbe began telling: "Do you know how these fish arrived here? Two fish were swimming in the great river, and one fish turned to the other and asked him 'Where are you swimming to?' The fish answered 'To Lubavitch.' 'And where are you going?' asked the fish. 'To Vilednik,' answered the second fish. 'Perhaps you'll come with me to Vilednik?' suggested the fish, and indeed he was convinced and thus they both arrived here" - and in his words he hinted to a Chabad chossid who was present at the tish.

The Gemara relates that it was forbidden to eat fish roasted with meat because of danger, as Chazal knew that it is "harmful to breath odor and tzaraas". In many matters (like treifos, milah and more) Chazal established halachos based on principles and information that don't necessarily match scientists' opinions today. Therefore even if science would maintain there is no health danger in eating fish and meat together, we rely on Chazal's determination which, being Torah, is absolute, while science constantly changes (and this is its greatness).

According to the Beis Yosef, one must wash hands between meat and fish. One who ate with a fork and his hands are clean may be lenient with this. According to the Rama, it's sufficient to eat and drink something between meat and fish, and hand washing is not required. In practice, it is customary to say l'chaim on wine or strong drink between fish and meat. The Chabad Rebbeim were also accustomed to rinse their hands with some water. The poskim were also stringent not to bring meat and its dishes to the table while the fish had not been cleared from it.

The Tur writes that "fish and locusts are permitted to be eaten with milk."