On the fifth day, G-d created all sorts of flying creatures. There are two opinions among Chazal as to how they were made. Some say they were created from water, just like the fish. In fish the influence of water is stronger, and they live in water. (Chullin 28; Abarbanel) Birds, on the other hand, also contain the element of air, so they can fly.
Others say that birds were created from the fine mud that is found on the bottom of the sea. According to some, this "mud" is the foam that is on the surface of the sea. This "mud" consists of a mixture of earth, air and water. Since birds were created from this "mud," they are halfway intermediate between creatures from water, and those created from earth.
It is therefore permitted to eat a fowl after only one of its two "signs" (the gullet and the windpipe) has been severed in ritual slaughter (Abarbanel; Toledot Yitzchak); while in the case of a mammal, both "signs" must be severed. This is because the element of earth is stronger.
Fish, which were created from water alone, do not need any ritual slaughter whatsoever. As soon as they are removed from the water, they may be eaten.
Every creature in the world has a purpose; nothing was created in vain. This is true even of creatures that seem useless, such as flies, lice and gnats. (Shabbat, Chapter 8; Bereishit Rabbah 10) Some harmful creatures were created to punish sinners. Lice and ticks were made to wake man from his sleep. He can then cure his soul through the study of Torah according to his ability, and not waste the entire night in sleep.
Bereishit 1:21 "G-d created the great dragons, along with every living thing that crawls, with which the waters teem, of its kind, and every winged flying creature of its kind. G-d saw that it was good."
Regarding certain great creatures the Torah says, "G-d created the great dragons." This is an expression that is not found with regard to anything created earlier, indicating that these creatures were unique. The Torah informs us that even these were created through G-d's word.
There is also an opinion that the "dragons" in this verse are the seventy guardian angels of the world. (Bachya) They are in heaven, overseeing the seventy nations.
Others say that these "dragons" are the angels which were created on the fifth day. Some of them made of fire, and some of water. (Bava Batra, loc. cit.; Zohar; Targum Yonatan)
Chazal also speak of a a great fish called the Levyatan, of which a male and female were created on this day. (Ibid. Cf. Zohar 2:34b) The abode of the Levyatan is the deepest parts of the ocean, where it supports the world on its back. It always keeps it mouth open, swallowing fish and eating them. Each day another large fish approaches the mouth of the Levyatan, happy to be its meal. Every seventy years, the Leviyatan lifts its fins and moves, causing earthquakes. ((Shevet Mussar 30)
The Leviyatan could not be allowed to remain with its mate, since if they had thousands of descendants, they would swamp the world. G-d therefore arranged that they should not mate. He killed the female, salted it, and set it aside for the great feast of the righteous in the Olam Haba (World to Come). In the Torah, the word תנינם (Taninim) is written without a י (yud) making the plural defective. This alludes to the fact that the female had been killed.
After the feast of the Leviyatan, people will cease to eat and drink, since these are mere physical pleasures. (Bachya) In the Future World, they will then only keep the Torah and delight in the radiance of the Divine Presence, which is the food of the soul.
G-d killed the female rather than the male because a female fish tastes better when salted than a male. (Bava Batra, loc. cit.)
The world was created to last for six thousand years. Each day of creation therefore represents a thousand years. Of these, two thousand years were "chaos and void." Then the world had to exist for another two thousand years after Yisrael accepted the Torah. The final two thousand years pertain to the Messianic age. If we are worthy, the redemption can take place during this last period.
This explains why the expression, "and it was so," does not occur here. On this day, the concept of war betwen nations came into being. The ultimate war will be Gog and Magog's battle, which will take place before the Messianic era. (Yechezkel 38, 39) This should occur on the "fifth day" of the world, that is, at the beginning of the fifth millennium. Because of our many sins many years have passed, and this has not yet taken place. Since the time is not exactly determined, the express "and it was so" is not used. (Bava Batra, loc. cit.)
It is in our hands. We need only walk in G-d's ways. But if we do not have any commitment to Judaism and do not keep the Torah, we will remain as we are, in exile. G-d does not wish to take responsibility for something that is in our hands. We must arouse our hearts to repent, and G-d will then accept it and give us strength to serve Him.
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Source: Me'am Lo'ez.
