18 Kabbalistic Facts About Fish, Why Jews Eat Fish on Shabbat, and the Connection Between Fish and Mann....


The Alter Rebbe claims that the source of this is in the inner part of the Torah.


Let us try to make the understanding of Kabbalistic terms easier by presenting our discussion in the form of questions:

1. Why are fish the very first creatures of the animal kingdom created by God?

2. For what reason did Adam call all the animals by certain names, excluding fish?

3. Why weren't the fishes punished during the flood?

4. Why are fish designed in such a way that their eyes never close?

5. Why were fish not “honored” with a sound apparatus in their body, and why are they the least likely of all animals to get sick?

6. Why does fish not need shechita?

7. Why is fish blood allowed to be eaten?

8. Why does the Torah allow eating fish and meat during the same meal?

9. Why should you start your meal with fish?

10. Why will God in the future arrange a feast3 at which fish will be served?

11. Why does the "Divine Chariot", consisting of 4 "faces", not include the image of a fish?

12. For what reason do the souls of some righteous people return to this world in the body of a fish?

13. Why didn't the manna taste like fish?

14. Why do fish reproduce much faster than all other animals?

15. What is the secret of the reproduction method of fish, which is very different from the methods of all other animals?

16. Why do kosher fish float on the surface of the water, while non-kosher fish float on the bottom?

17. How is the spiritual purity of fish determined, if it is known that products made from fish cannot be contaminated with impurity?

18. Why is it said that before the coming of Moshiach “it will be impossible to find fish for the sick”?


Fish in Kabbalah:

It is said: “Man does not live by bread alone, but by everything that comes out of the mouth of the Lord does man live.”

Arizal explains that in food there is harmony between matter and its spiritual source.

During a meal, the matter of the food itself strengthens the human body, and its spiritual particle strengthens the soul. But fish differs from any other food in two ways: 1. In the material plane, it is most closely connected to its source, water, and cannot exist without it. 2. In the spiritual plane, it has a constant connection with its spiritual source. It follows that the spiritual plane of fish is most closely connected to this physical world.

From the above, it becomes clear how important it is to eat fish on Saturday.

It is known that a Saturday meal sanctifies a person's body more than a meal on weekdays. Since on weekdays the sparks of holiness in food are hidden, a person is not able to perceive the high spiritual light from food. But on Saturday he is able to attract the highest light. If this applies to any food, then in fish it is expressed at the highest level: by eating fish on Saturday, a person reconnects with the highest levels of holiness of the spiritual worlds.


So - answers to the questions:

1. Fish are closest to the source of holiness and therefore they were created first.

2. By calling the animals by their names, Adam brought closer and revealed in them the connection with the Divine light, but since the fish themselves have a connection with this source, there was no need to give them a name.

3. Fish did not die during the flood because they are most connected to God.

4. The eyes of the fish are always open because of its high connection with G-d, about whom it is said: “For the guardian of Israel never slumbers nor sleeps.”

5. Pisces do not hear and get sick the least of all, since they are renounced from materiality; on the one hand, they are physically disabled (they do not hear), on the other hand, they are less susceptible to the diseases of this world.

6. "Shechita" is performed in order to attract and open the holy source of the animal, but the proximity of the fish to the source eliminates the need for this.

7. Blood is a symbol of life and pleasure, so a Jew is forbidden to drink blood, which hints at the dangers associated with the passions of the material world. But fish blood is cold; it does not symbolize closeness to materiality, and therefore is permitted for consumption.

8. It is explained that the spiritual source of milk is connected with the attribute of "chesed" and that of meat with the attribute of "gevurah", and therefore they do not combine together. But the spiritual source of fish is in "Ein Sof", infinity, where there is no separation of attributes; from this comes the permission to eat fish with meat or milk in one meal.

9. The meal begins with fish, since it is much easier for a person to connect with the Divine source of fish (since he is most connected with It). And then they continue to take food from light to complex and connect with the rest of the sparks of holiness found in different types of food. But the danger of a meal beginning with meat (in which the sparks of holiness are most hidden) is the very high probability that a person can immerse himself in the material aspect of the food he is eating, and not in its spiritual part.

10. Livyatan will be served at Moshiach's meal for several reasons: 1. Because of its highest spiritual source. 2. Livyatan is the king of all fish. 3. The word Livyatan is similar in meaning to the word "connection" and by eating this fish a person connects with (high) spirituality.

11. The "Divine Chariot" consists of the face of man, animals, cattle and chickens; it is also the source of influence for all worlds and all creation. The spiritual root of the fish (is in the world of "Atzilut"), which, in turn, stands above the "Chariot" (having its source in the world of "Bria"). Therefore, the fish does not need the influence of the Chariot itself.

12. In Kabbalah it is explained that the reincarnation of souls occurs for two main reasons, from which it follows that the souls of the righteous and sages also return to this world, but this happens mainly through the body of a fish, since the fish in this world expresses the highest level of connection with its source of life (water). By the same principle, the righteous are connected with the Creator of the Universe, and cannot live in any other way.

13. It is written that even though the Jews ate the Manna, they felt hungry. It is explained that a person could taste any food except the taste of fish. Manna was a gift from Heaven; this hints that the Jews were not required to earn it by physical labor in the material world. In contrast, fish symbolizes receiving influence from above, through labor and work in the physical world.

14. Fish reproduce more and faster than other animals, because they have the highest connection between themselves (or, in the words of Kabbalah, a full connection between “mashpia” and “mekabel”).

15. Reproduction in all other animal species is arranged in such a way that the male influences the female first, but in the case of fish, the female influences first (by releasing eggs), and then the male responds. The letters "dalet" (feminine) and "gimel" (masculine) that make up the word "fish" (in Hebrew "DAG") are arranged in such a way that the feminine letter comes before the masculine letter.

16. Kosher fish swim on the surface, because the upper waters symbolize closeness to holiness, and the lower waters are a symbol of distance from holiness, and non-kosher fish swim in the depths (for this reason, SEAFOODS are prohibited)

17. The spiritual purity of fish is so great and close to holiness that fish products cannot be contaminated with impurity.

18. It is well known that our sages stated that before the coming of Moshiach, “it will be impossible to find a fish for the sick.” This will not be due to a lack of fish, but due to the completion of the work (“birur”) of separating the sparks of holiness, and thus the completion of the Divine purpose of the souls in this world. Therefore, when the work approaches its fullness or completion, no fish will be found, which in turn means complete liberation.


We see how deep the meaning is in the instruction

The Alter Rebbe, who clearly defines the reasons for eating fish on Shabbat. Although 18 reasons are given, at first glance there is no connection between them. But following the explanation of Kabbalah and Hasidism, we are able to delve deeper into the meaning of the creation of fish and its spiritual source. Therefore, fulfilling this instruction of the Alter Rebbe helps a Jew influence his spiritual reunification with the sanctity of Shabbat. I would just like to add the words of the Alter Rebbe: “Fish were created in the merit, mainly, of the Jews, and especially of the Hasidim, about whom it is said: “Vaidgu la-rov…”. This means that even in matters related to the world and materiality, they behave like fish, without disconnecting from their source of life… the path of the Torah and its laws.”

P.S.

After the coming of Moshiach, the Almighty will arrange a feast for the righteous, at which fish will be served (among other things) - Livyatan. But unlike all other meals described in the Torah, it is not mentioned if fish was ever served.

- When the Jews ate the Manna from heaven in the desert, they could taste any food in it, except for the taste of fish.

The book of Tzemach Tzedek “Sefer ha-Likutim”, section “Fish”, pp. 88-90.

- It is explained in the Torah that utensils made of wood, clothing, leather, clay, metal, bones and glass can become spiritually impure from contact with a spiritually impure source, such as a dead body. But it is said that if the utensil is made of fish skin, it does not absorb spiritual impurity. (Vayikra 11:32-33; Bamidbar 31:20-22; Tractate Shabbat 14b; Mishnah tractate Kelim 11:2, 15:1, 17:14).

Moshiach will come at the time when the sick person asks for fish and it will be impossible to find any. (Tractate Sanhedrin 98a)

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The Hasidim tell how one day the Alter Rebbe stood in the kitchen and carefully watched as fish was cut and placed in a pot. Then the Rebbe turned to his students and said: “The soul of such and such a person, who recently passed away, was reincarnated in this fish. Eat this fish and correct his soul!” (R. Refael Kahn’s book “Shmuot ve-Sipurim”, volume 2, page 52). Another story tells how a Hasid got a bone stuck in his throat. Seeing this, the Alter Rebbe told him: “You need to know how to eat the souls of the righteous…” (Alter Rebbe’s book “Likutei Sipurim”, story 80).


About Man it is said: “And he is like coriander seed.”

(Beshalach 16:31).

Both the words "coriander" (in Hebrew "GAD" - גד) and the word "fish" "DAG" (דג) consist of the same letters, only in different orders. In the word "coriander" ("GAD") - "gimel" comes before the letter "dalet", and in the word "fish" ("DAG") the letter "dalet" comes before the letter "giml". The letter "gimel" is connected with the word "gadlut" - wealth and influence. The letter "dalet" is connected with the word: "dalut" - poverty and perception. In Hasidism it is explained that a person can receive the influence of spirituality from above in two ways: a) A person works from below, and then, depending on his work, the Almighty sends him (a blessing) from above; thus, the letter "dalet" comes before the letter "gimel" ("DAG" - fish). b) A person does not work, but despite this, the Almighty gives him influence from above; in this case, the letter "gimel" is located before the letter "dalet" ("GAD" - coriander). It follows that the manna was received by the Jews without their labor (removal of spiritual sparks) and therefore they complained of "hunger", i.e. were embarrassed to receive it. In contrast, the fish is a symbol of receiving influence from above for the labor of a Jew, and not a gift.


Why do people eat fish on Saturday?

1. Fish is an important dish that makes a person happy and through which the Sabbath is glorified, to the point that even if a person has prepared the most delicious dishes, they are not equal in importance to fish.

2. During the meal that Moshiach will make for the righteous, we will eat fish. Since Shabbat is equated with the next world, fish is eaten during the Shabbat meal.

3. Unlike all other animals, fish do not "work" to find their prey, for they depend entirely on the alms of the Almighty. By this, G-d teaches us that a Jew's earnings depend on the Creator, and one who observes the Sabbath should not be concerned that he is "losing" a working day. It is not the pursuit of money that is man's breadwinner, but G-d Himself, who gives man his earnings, and when a person does not work on the Sabbath, he loses nothing.

4. In the holy books, God is called the "bridegroom" and the Sabbath day is called the "bride". The Sabbath meal is similar to a wedding meal, and, as is known, after the wedding ceremony it is customary to eat fish.

5. Fish have no eyelids, their eyes are always open, they do not sleep (unlike other animals) and are always alert. Therefore, when we eat fish during the Sabbath meal, it symbolizes that the Almighty is always watching over us.

6. It is said that fish are not subject to the "evil eye" because they are hidden from the human eye. In the same way, on Saturday a Jew cannot be subject to the evil spirit because it is hidden.

7. Jews are also likened to fish: just as a fish cannot live without water, so the existence of a Jew is connected to the Torah, which is likened to water. The Tzemach Tzedek explains that fish are completely immersed in water, to the point that the water touches them internally and externally becomes part of the fish itself. This is expressed by the fact that a fish can only exist in water and if it is taken out of the water, it will immediately die. Therefore, when a Jew eats fish during the Sabbath meal, he emphasizes his connection with the Torah and the sanctity of the Sabbath.

8. The Alter Rebbe writes that although eating fish on Shabbat is a legal requirement, the source of this is not found in the open part of the Torah, but in the books of Kabbalah and Hasidism.