Dostoevsky Was an Antisemite. I Still Think You Should Read Him
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Eel seems not be be accepted as kosher, and I’m wondering why, for example the species unagi. As far as I can see, it has fins and scales, though both are small.
Thank you for raising the issue. For a scale to be a kosher sign, it must be easily removable from the skin of the fish, whether by hand or by knife, and without tearing the skin. This is not the case with eels; thus we consider them non-kosher.
(Sources: Leviticus 11:9 with Ramban, Remah to Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 83:1.)
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But the scales needing to be removed is not written in the torah or even alluded to. Scales are actually edible and a good source of calcium and other minerals, just like eating liver and other body parts of a clean animal are considered lawful, as long as their is no blood. I would you say this rule is more of a tradition passed down rather than a law. I dont know the history of rabbinic Judaism that well, this could also be a recent discovering (please correct me on the history, I'm curious). But if certain groups want to abstain from eating certain food that's fine, I just dont advocate telling people what to eat and what not to eat if it's not written in scripture.
Peace and Blessings,
Brother Simeon