Skip to content

Is Lobster kosher?

No — Lobster is not kosher under Jewish dietary law.

Not kosher. Lobsters are crustaceans — shellfish with no fins or scales and therefore explicitly prohibited.

Lobster (Nephropidae)

Image: Photo by Gusmonkeyboy at English Wikipedia · licensed Public domain · source

Scientific name
Nephropidae
Hebrew name
לובסטר
Also known as
Maine lobster, American lobster, Homarus, Rock lobster, Spiny lobster
Category
shellfish
Fins & scales
No fins ✗ , no scales ✗
Kosher status
Not kosher

About Lobster

Large marine crustaceans with hard exoskeletons and powerful claws. Found in oceans worldwide. Crayfish are freshwater crustaceans belonging to the infraorder Astacidea, which also contains lobsters. Taxonomically, they are members of the superfamilies Astacoidea and Parastacoidea. They breathe through feather-like gills. Some species are found in brooks and streams, where fresh water is running, while others thrive in swamps, ditches, and paddy fields. Most crayfish cannot tolerate polluted water, although some species, such as Procambarus clarkii, are hardier. Crayfish feed on animals and plants, either living or decomposing, and detritus. The term "crayfish" is applied to saltwater species in some countries. Crayfish are freshwater crustaceans belonging to the infraorder Astacidea, which also contains lobsters. Taxonomically, they are members of the superfamilies Astacoidea and Parastacoidea. They breathe through feather-like gills. Some species are found in brooks and streams, where fresh water is running, while others thrive in swamps, ditches, and paddy fields. Most crayfish cannot tolerate polluted water, although some species, such as Procambarus clarkii, are hardier. Crayfish feed on animals and plants, either living or decomposing, and detritus. The term "crayfish" is applied to saltwater species in some countries. Terminology The name "crayfish" comes from the Old French word escrevisse (Modern French écrevisse). The word has been modified to "crayfish" by association with "fish" (folk etymology). The largely American variant "crawfish" is similarly derived. Some kinds of crayfish are known locally as lobsters, crawdads, mudbugs, and yabbies. In the Eastern United States, "crayfish" is more common in the north, while "crawdad" is heard more in central and southwestern regions, and "crawfish" farther south, although considerable overlaps exist. Names used for crayfish in different...

Kosher ruling

Not kosher. Lobsters are crustaceans — shellfish with no fins or scales and therefore explicitly prohibited.

Source: Orthodox Union, Chabad, Aish HaTorah; Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0); Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Look up another fish