There is a common misconception that Torah is either a legal text detailing the specifics of Jewish law or a record of Jewish history. In reality, Torah is a guide, providing pertinent lessons in every area of life. An interesting detail in the laws of kosher provides a powerful illustration of this dynamic.
In this week’s parsha Shemini, the Torah provides two signs for kosher fish, fins and scales. The Talmud states that a fish with scales most definitely has fins but a fish with fins does not necessarily have scales. If so, why was it necessary to mention fins altogether? If you see scales on the fish, its status is clear! Even more perplexing is the fact that the Torah mentions fins before scales.
Scales serve as a protective layer from negative aquatic elements and the fins allow the fish to navigate the currents.
A Jew is provided with two crucial tools in life, Torah and Mitzvot. Torah for the Jew is like fins for a fish. More than just a moral compass, Torah study provides a Jew the moral strength to swim against the influential currents of our world and to navigate the often turbulent seas of life. But Torah study without mitzvah observance is like a fish with fins and no scales. It is not the Jewish way.
Mitzvot for the Jew are like scales for a fish, creating a spiritual protective shield so that the Jew is not adversely affected from the world he is compelled to engage. And to properly observe mitzvot, a bare minimum of Torah knowledge is required. Therefore fins are listed first of the kosher fish signs.
Let us proudly display our “kosher” signs by increasing our Torah study and committing to greater Mitzvah observance. There is no time better than now.