Anonymous asked Staff ago In the article on Chazal and the signs in fish you wrote that there is a fish which has no fins at all, but has scales. It’s name (though not it’s Jewish name) is Monopterus cuchia.
I read the words of Yaakov Segal (who is not unknown), in which he wrote that the fish has a fin that, though small, is large enough to be considered a fin according to Halacha.
I haven’t actually checked it, but he continues and points out that Monopterus means “single finned” in Latin. On this he is undoubtedly correct.
What about his claims. Are they true? Inexact? Lies?
Hayim Amar
jsadmin Staff answered 22 years ago
Dear Hayim,
See our answer to The Sages erred and misled about the signs of kashrut in fish. He erred in claiming it has a small fin, and was correct in stating that it has a fin which falls off after 10 days.
Sincerely,
Daat Emet
jsadmin Staff answered 22 years ago
Hello,
The rule which states “Whatever has scales has fins” was made for Halachic matters and not for research into fish. If Halacha forbids the fish, that means the rabbis suppose there to be a reality in which a fish has scales but no fins. Then this rule is not an iron rule, even according to the rabbis. This is in contrast to the opinion of outreach professionals who bring this as proof of the Holy Spirit which rested upon the Sages or of the tradition from Moses at Sinai, as we explained in the essay.
Sincerely,
Daat Emet