Halachot and Customs
Why Are Seafood Such as Shrimp Considered Non-Kosher?
Question
Hello! I would like to know why seafood such as shrimp are considered non-kosher, and where in the Torah is it stated which foods are kosher and which are not?
Answer
Hello and blessings
Shrimp is classified as a non-kosher aquatic creature because it is a type of creeping thing.
As it is written:
Leviticus 11
(41) And every creeping thing that creeps on the earth is a detestable thing; it shall not be eaten:
(42) Whatever crawls on its belly and whatever goes on all fours, or whatever has many legs, you shall not eat; they are a detestable thing:
(43) Do not make yourselves loathsome with any creeping thing that creeps, nor make yourselves unclean with them, lest you be defiled by them:
Furthermore, it is forbidden because it is a creeping thing of the water.
As it is written:
(9) These you may eat of all that are in the waters: whatever has fins and scales in the waters, in the seas and in the rivers, them you may eat:
(10) And all that do not have fins and scales in the seas and in the rivers, from all that swarms in the waters, and from all flesh that is in the waters, it is a detestable thing for you:
(11) And they shall be a detestable thing for you; of their flesh you shall not eat, and their carcasses you shall loathe:
(12) Whatever does not have fins and scales in the waters is a detestable thing for you:
With blessings - Benjamin Shmuli
עברית
