Parsha Shmini: Leviticus 9:1-11:47

The Laws of Winged Swarming Creatures (Leviticus 11:20-23)

The Torah introduces a specific category of creatures known as Sheretz Ha-Of, translated as "winged swarming things" or "flying creeping things." In Leviticus 11:20-23, the text establishes a general prohibition against these creatures, immediately followed by a narrow set of exceptions. This classification covers insects that possess wings but also move upon the ground, creating a unique biological category within the laws of Kashrut. Understanding these laws requires a close examination of the Hebrew terminology, the physical requirements for permissibility, and the traditional methods of identification.

Linguistic Definitions of Sheretz Ha-Of

The term Sheretz stems from a root meaning to swarm or teem.

Origin of the Hebrew Root Word "Sheretz" (שֶׁרֶץ)

Parsha Shmini: Day (Part 2) (Leviticus 11:13-23)

(Leviticus 11:13-19)

The ideology of the sharks becoming unclean by eating that which is unclean is seen clearly when Moshe discusses the birds of the sky in Leviticus chapter 11 verses 13 through 19.

Here Moshe lists 20 unclean birds of the sky, which Jewish people are not to eat. These include:

1. the eagle

2. the vulture,

Leviticus 11:1-32

Leviticus Chapter 11

וַיְדַבֵּ֧ר יְהֹוָ֛ה אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֥ה וְאֶֽל־אַהֲרֹ֖ן לֵאמֹ֥ר אֲלֵהֶֽם׃

1 And the LORD spoke unto Moses and to Aaron, saying unto them:

דַּבְּר֛וּ אֶל־בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לֵאמֹ֑ר זֹ֤את הַֽחַיָּה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר תֹּאכְל֔וּ מִכׇּל־הַבְּהֵמָ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר עַל־הָאָֽרֶץ׃

2 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying: These are the living things which ye may eat among all the beasts that are on the earth.