Fish and Eiver min ha'Hai
Divine Code for October 20, 2022
Today: Page 240
Topic 1:7 -- 1:8
Ever min ha'hai applies only to land animals and birds that have blood.
It does not apply to fish [including all animals that reproduce and spend most of their time in water], reptiles and sheretz. The term sheretz refers to the eight creatures designated in Levitcus 11:29-30.
While these animals may be eaten if they are still alive, one should only do so for medical reasons.
Therefore eating creatures alive does not violate the commandment against "eating meat from a living creature," but an upright person will not inflict unnecessary pain or suffering on a living creature.
All creatures are permitted as food for the Children of Noah (if they are not injurious to the person's health), and killing a creature for the sake of preparing it as food usually entails inflicting some pain and distress upon it. That is the permission given to human beings, to "rule over the animals." But people should not be cruel in applying this G'd-given privilege.
Therefore it is proper for a society to make civil laws that forbid and punish the infliction of cruelty upon living creatures.
Reading schedule the Divine Code
Yesterday: Topic 1:4 - 1:6
Tomorrow: Topic 1:9 - 1:11
Brought By Angelique Sijbolts
Angelique Sijbolts is one of the main writers for the Noahide Academy. She has been an observant Noahide for many years. She studies Torah with Rabbi Perets every week. Angelique invests much of her time in editing video-lectures for the Rabbis of the Academy and contributes in administrating the Academy's website in English and Dutch. She lives in the north of the Netherlands. Married and mother of two sons. She works as a teacher in a school with students with special needs. And is a Hebrew Teacher for the levels beginners and intermediate. She likes to walk, to read and play the piano.
Sources
The Divine Code 4e edition by rabbi Moshe Weiner
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