of Others, proving themselves pests [to all] by their wickedness. " And thou shalt not eat," he says, " the lamprey, or the polypus, or the cuttle- fish." He means, " Thou shalt not join thyself or be like to such men as are ungodly to the end, and are condemned" to death." In like manner as those fishes, above accursed, float in the deep, not swimming [on the surface] like the rest, but make their abode in the mud which lies at the bottom. Moreover, " Thou shalt not," he says, "eat the hare." Wherefore? " Thou shalt not be a corrupter of boys, nor like unto such." '^ Because the hare multiplies, year by year, the places of its conception ; for as many years as it lives so many '^ it has. Moreover, "Thou shalt not eat the hyena." He means, "Thou shalt not be an adulterer, nor a corrupter, nor be like to them that are such." Wherefore? Because that animal an- nually changes its sex, and is at one time male, and at another female. Moreover, he has rightly detested the weasel. For he means, " Thou shalt not be like to those whom we hear of as committing wickedness with the mouth, '■♦ on ac- count of their uncleanness ; nor shalt thou be joined to those impure women who commit ini- quity with the mouth. For this animal conceives by the mouth." Moses then issued '5 three doc- trines concerning meats with a spiritual signifi- cance ; but they received them according to fleshly desire, as if he had merely spoken of [literal] meats. David, however, comprehends the knowledge of the three doctrines, and speaks in like manner : " Blessed is the man who hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly," '^ even as the fishes [referred to] go in darkness to the depths [of the sea] ; " and hath not stood in the way of sinners," even as those \\ho profess to fear the Lord, but go astray like swine ; " and hath not sat in the seat of scorners," '' even as those birds that lie in wait for prey. Take a full and firm grasp of this spiritual ■** knowledge. But Moses says still further, " Ye shall eat every animal that is cloven-footed and ruminant." What does he mean? [The ruminant animal denotes him] who, on receiving food, recognizes Him that nourishes him, and being satisfied by Him,'9 is visibly made glad. Well spake [Moses], having respect to the commandment.