How will we reconcile the current Pasuk, "Yishretzu ha'Mayim ... ", indicating that he birds were created from water, with the Pasuk in 2:19 "Va'Yitzer Hashem Elokim min ha'Adamah es Kol Of ha'Shamayim"?
What is the definition of "Sheretz"?
Rashi: Anything that is close to the ground - such as flies of the bird species, insects such as ants and beetles, 1 worms, and animals with short legs, such as weasels, mice and snails and fish.
Ramban: Based on Targum Onkelos, the Ramban defines 'Sheretz' and 'Remes' as things that move constantly (she'Ratz), including four-legged 'birds,' which move along the ground like insects (as opposed to two-legged birds, which mainly fly).
To clear up a common misconception, Rashi does not mean that all of these Sheratzim were created on the fifth day! Rashi is merely explaining why fish are also classified as Sheratzim. (CS)
QUESTIONS ON RASHI
Rashi writes: "'Nefesh Chayah' - living beings." Why explain in this manner?
Gur Aryeh #1: We will learn that this phrase refers not to the particular animals known as "Chayah" (wild creatures), but rather to fish.
Gur Aryeh #2: The phrase is preceded by the word "Sheretz" (moving creatures), and movement is a characteristic of all living beings.
Rashi writes: "A living being that is not tall upon the earth is known as a 'Sheretz.'" Ramban asks - At times we find the root "Sheretz" applied to people as well? (For example, the Torah describes the amazing multiplication of the Bnei Yisrael in Egypt with the word, "va'Yishretzu.")
Gur Aryeh #1: The word "va'Yishretzu" fits because there were so many Bnei Yisrael that their movements could not be discerned, and they appeared to be swarming. 1
Gur Aryeh #2: The verb "Yishretzu" applies even to large animals, as well as people, because they all have movement. The specific name "Sheretz" applies only to small beings that are defined by their movement (and not walking). 2
Gur Aryeh understands that "Sheretz" means "movement," and a Sheretz is so called because we cannot detect its walking, only its movement. (See Rashi to 1:24.)
Gur Aryeh explains similarly regarding the name "Remes;" refer to 1:24:1.2:1 .
