daf bit: Chullin 67
Sep. 1st, 2011 09:12 amThe g'mara on today's daf is in the midst of a discussion of which
insects are kosher and what happens if they infest other foods.
(The question of finding half a worm in an apple is not explicitly
raised, but close.) It then goes on to teach: R. Yose ben ha-Damascane
says: the leviathan is a kosher fish, for it is written "his scales
are his pride" and "sharpest potsherds are under him" (both from
Iyov (Job) 41). "Scales", these are the scales that cover him, and
"sharpest potsherds under him", these are the fins with which he
propels himself. (67b)
Relatedly, Rabbi Symons and I were recently studying midrash about olam ha-ba, the world to come, including how the righteous will feast on the leviathan, which has been held since its day of creation for just that purpose.