19 October, 2020
The Midrash indicates that on Shabbat it is desirable to eat fish, poultry, and meat to evoke the fact that God is the master of water, air, and earth. However, there is a tradition that has received universal acceptance in all Jewish communities: eating fish.

The texts inform us that God was pleased with His creations on the 5th, 6th, and 7th days. Now, this refers to the creation of fish on the 5th day, humans on the 6th, and Shabbat on the 7th; therefore, if humans eat fish on Shabbat, they can draw somewhat closer to the "divine" pleasure.

Additionally, fish have no eyelids, so their eyes are always open. This reminds us, according to tradition, that "the eye of God is open to those who fear Him."

Another explanation: a fish only survives in water. Similarly, Jews can only live in the Torah, which is called "water" in the texts.

These fish balls, Belehat Samak, come from Egypt, where Jews cooked them for Shabbat. They are fish balls in a tomato sauce, with a slight garlic flavor: my mother rarely made them, but when she did, I loved eating them.