Cohn, Jacob. The Royal Table - VWC: Faculty/Staff Web

CONCERNING WHAT IS CLEAN 55
apart from the other claws, similar to the human thumb;
the presence of a craw; and a gizzard which can be pealed
of its inner lining very easily by hand. All these condi-
tions must obtain if the bird is clean. 10 Inasmuch as there
is considerable difficulty in ascertaining whether an unknown
bird is clean, it is customary to use only those fowl
which local tradition has already accepted as such.11
The marks by which clean fish may be recognized are
explicitly given
in the Torah. All that have scales and
fins are clean. It has been established that all fish which
have scales have fins; consequently it is enough to seek
for this sign alone. 12 But the reverse is not true: many
fish have fins and no scales. A single scale or a single fin
is enough to establish cleanliness; and though the scales
may be such that they are shed immediately upon the
removal of the fish from the water, the fish may be eaten. 13
Insects, creeping things, and the like are abominations
and must be avoided as food. In hot weather worms de-
velop in flour or cereals, hence these should not be used
unless put through a seive. 14
Fruit of such species as are
known to develop worms during the process of growth may
not be eaten without an examination. Thus dried prunes
should never be used unless each one has been cut to the
pit and inspected. 16
If the fruit is more than a year old
it may safely be assumed that the worms developed within
it during growth are already dead and destroyed. Worms
which develop in fruit after picking, and have never left
the fruit, are not considered unclean, as the Torah forbade
10
Ibid.
11
Responsum of Asheri Y. D. ibid 1.
13
Niddah Sla
u
Hullin 59a; 66b.
M
This precaution is first mentioned in Sha'are Dura, and is adopted
as a norm of practice by Y. D. 84, 14.
"
Hullin 67a; see also Yad, Ma'achdoth Asuroth H, 15.