How Do I Know If a Fish is Kosher?

The Torah (Vayikra 11:9) describes a kosher fish as one that has “snapir v’kaskeses,” fins and scales. Ramban (Vayikra 11:9) defines the scales as ones which can be removed without ripping skin; scales which cannot be removed without tearing skin, such as those on sharks, are not considered scales according to halacha. The Gemara (Chullin 66b) states that all fish which have scales have fins as well. As such, in order to know that a fish is kosher all one would need to do is determine that it has scales which can be removed without tearing the skin of the fish.

The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt”l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.