Clean Fish, easy peasy, right?! Pleasing Yehovah in this area of our life is not hard. Things that come from the water that have fins and scales are the only ones He considers “clean” or “tahor.”
Yehovah says that the things Israel eats which come from the waters must have fins and scales. It takes a lifetime to know Yehovah and become as holy as he is. We must not only learn and follow His ways, but also understand and adopt His attitudes. Why does the One who made everything think we eat things from the water that weren’t meant to be eaten?
To the “Christian Church” this is a picture. They think they are right with God and can do and eat whatever they want. Yehovah says they are smoke in His nostrils! Does that sound like something pleasing to Him?.
What Are Clean and Unclean Animals? We learned that eating swine (pig, hog, pork) and foods made from them (bacon, ham, lard, most sausage, and pepperoni) don’t follow or support Yehovah’s law on earth, so they are thought to be unclean [tamei] because they don’t chew their cud and have split hooves. Yehovah uses these two traits to tell the difference between animals that are clean [tahor] and do represent Him in the world and those that don’t.
About 200 people and I were served a white fish for dinner during Sukkot that turned out to be a catfish. Yehovah says this kind of fish is evil and should not be eaten. When I found out what we had eaten, I almost threw up right there at the table. I then had the worst night’s sleep of my time there because I kept thinking about all the other horrible food I might have been given. What I eat is important to me because I love God and want to be a good person in the world, even through what I eat. I will always choose not to eat or do something that He calls an abomination.
In Hebrew the word being translated as “abomination” is ש×קץ (sheh’-kets). Jeff Benner in His Ancient Hebrew Lexicon of the Bible says,.
If someone says they love the Elohim (the one who makes the rules and judges) of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, why would they ever want to do something that He says is ·¤¥ (sheh’-kets)?
Lobsters are iconic inhabitants of the deep, prized for their succulent meat and distinctively rich flavor Their strange appearance often sparks curiosity about their anatomy and physiology. A common question that arises is – do lobsters have scales?
As shellfish rather than fish, it may seem obvious that lobsters lack scales. But there are some nuances around lobster anatomy worth exploring. Let’s take a closer look at whether these quirky crustaceans have scales or not.
Lobster Bodies: Hard Shell vs Scales
Unlike bony fish, lobsters do not have scales covering their body. Scales are a defining feature of fish, composed of a bony substance called cosmin that overlays the skin. In contrast, lobsters have a rigid exoskeleton encapsulating their entire form.
This protective shell is made up of a complex layered structure The innermost layer is the membranous lining where new exoskeleton is grown during molting cycles Above this is a laminated layer of chitin providing stiffness and strength. Finally, an outer waxy coating called the epicuticle prevents water loss and friction.
So while lobster shells offer similar protective properties to scales they have an entirely different composition and architecture. This anatomy categorizes lobsters as crustaceans rather than fish.
Segmented Shells Allow Flexibility
Lobster shells may appear bulky and cumbersome. However, their structure allows for flexibility and movement. Their exoskeleton is divided into articulated sections called somites. These somite shells overlap and connect via membranes that act as joints.
This segmentation gives lobsters mobility akin to armor plating. It allows them to swiftly propel through water to hunt prey or escape predators. Jointed areas like the tail can curl and flex to briskly push the lobster backwards.
Hairs Act as Sensory Structures
While they lack stiff keratin scales, lobsters do possess tiny hair-like structures across their shell. These feathery setae provide sensory input to the lobster.
Setae are connected to nerve cells below the exoskeleton surface. They detect touch, movement, and chemical cues in the surrounding water. This alerts the lobster to the presence of predators, prey or potential mates nearby.
So while not offering physical protection like scales, setae perform an equally vital sensory function.
Claws Offer Frontline Protection
Though their entire bodies are armor-plated, lobsters’ forelimbs take on special defensive duties. Their front pair of walking legs have evolved into thick, spiny claws for protection and combat.
Like armored gauntlets, these claws shield the lobster’s vulnerable head and mouthparts. Their spiked edges also make them brutal weapons for battling rivals or grasping slippery prey.
Lobsters regularly lose claws through fights or accidental injury. Thankfully their claws readily regenerate over successive molts. A missing claw may take 3-4 years to fully regrow depending on the lobster’s age.
Antennae Aid Navigation
Another key anatomical feature are lobsters’ long, feathery antennae. These jointed sensory appendages emerge from behind the lobster’s eyes.
Antennae give lobsters an enhanced perception of their surroundings. They act as “feelers”, detecting obstacles, food scents and hydrodynamic disturbances. This aids navigation through the lobster’s deep-sea environment.
Their antennae are so critical that lobsters will jettison and regrow them if needed to escape predators. Their reflexive curling under the body shields them from damage.
Tail Provides Propulsion
The powerful tail muscle forms the lobster’s propeller. It can thrust water rapidly via side-to-side motions, rocketing the lobster backwards on demand. This allows fast getaways from threats through rapid reverse gear.
Their tail muscles account for around 30% of a lobster’s body mass. It’s also the location of fat deposits that fuel these energy-intensive bursts. The tail’s flexibility derives from overlapping fan-like panels forming articulated rings down its length.
Leg Design Aids Mobility
Lobsters’ five pairs of walking legs enable them to nimbly crawl across varied terrain. Leg joints allow extensive forward-backward motion, unlike human joints.
Their first pair of legs has evolved into formidable pincers. The remaining four pairs are designed for walking and grasping. Their tips bear tiny ‘hairy’ structures aiding grip and sensation.
This versatile leg design suits lobsters’ active, bottom-dwelling lifestyle. Their limbs can grip rocks tightly to withstand crashing waves, or scuttle quickly across the seafloor.
Lobsters Periodically Shed Their Shells
To allow for growth, lobsters must regularly shed and replace their exoskeletons. This process is called molting or ecdysis. It leaves lobsters vulnerable until their new shell hardens.
Molting frequency depends on age and food supply. Younger lobsters may shed 4-6 times per year, while older ones only molt once every 2-3 years. Prior to molting, lobsters become inactive and hide to conserve energy.
After emerging from their old shell, it takes around 30 minutes for lobsters’ new exoskeleton to initially harden. Full hardening may take several days. Their new shell enlarges by 10-15% after each molt.
Are Lobster Shells Kosher?
According to Jewish dietary laws, only aquatic animals with fins and scales are considered Kosher foods. As shellfish, lobsters’ hard outer shells mean they do not meet Kosher criteria.
However, some argue that lobster shells perform a similar protective function to scales. But overall, Halacha teachings deem shellfish including lobsters to be non-Kosher due to their lack of true scales.
Fins And Scales Makes It Easy
Easy peasy, right?! Pleasing Yehovah in this area of our life is not rocket science. Like the four-legged beasts, the behemoth of the earth, the fish that Yehovah’s people are to eat should come from living things, not from the bottom of the sea, lakes, and rivers, where dead bodies and filth pile up. The garbage cans of the waters are primarily shell-fish and other fish that dwell at their bottoms.
Here is one list of fish that can be used to honor the Creator in the earth, and here is another list of fish that His people should not eat. Hope this helps you.
Clean Fish Must Haves Fins And Scales
The Creator says that aquatic animals that are good for food must have both fins and scales, just like the animals that live on land (the behemoths).
Lobster VS Finger!?
FAQ
What seafood has no scales?
Can Catholics eat lobster on Friday?
Does crab have scales?
What part of the lobster can you not eat?
What are the basic parts of a lobster?
Courtesy of: LobsterAnywhere.com Here are the basic parts of a lobster and their function: Abdomen — the section commonly referred to as the “tail”. Antennae — tactile organs, having a sense of touch. Antennules — chemosensors, having a sense of smell – with a function similar to a human nose.
Do lobsters have a nervous system?
Nervous System: Lobsters have ganglia throughout their body, allowing them to react to stimuli and sense their surroundings. They also possess compound eyes and antennae to navigate their environment. Respiratory System: Lobsters breathe through the gills in their abdomen. Water flows over the gills to extract oxygen.
What is the tastiest part of a lobster?
The claws of hard-shell lobsters are full of tender, sweet meat. Knuckles: The two joints connect the large claws to the carapace. Connoisseurs say the knuckle meat is the tastiest. Tails: The tail holds the biggest piece of meat in the lobster. Digestive System: Lobsters have a three-part digestive system – foregut, midgut, and hindgut.
What does a lobster’s blood look like?
A lobster’s blood is usually greyish/clear in color. It is circulated by a heart located just behind the stomach, through a few large blood vessels. It picks up oxygen from the water through the gills, found in the lobsters’ thorax section. Body Parts Courtesy of: LobsterAnywhere.com Here are the basic parts of a lobster and their function: