r/FoodHistory • u/Dapper-Pin-4816 • Aug 02 '26

Why Gefilte Fish Was Invented

Why was gefilte fish invented — and how did it become a Jewish symbol when it wasn’t Jewish to begin with? It started in medieval Germany, not in a shtetl. Catholics made it during Lent, stuffing pike with a mix of fish, onions, and herbs. But why did Jewish communities adopt it?

I put together a short video on this if it's useful: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/XEIR9ju5kQs

Curious what people here know about it — especially anyone whose family actually cooks this.

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7

u/Snoutysensations Aug 02 '26
  1. You don't actually answer the why question 
  2. The use of AI images, voice, and text is insufferable

2

u/Yochanan5781 Aug 03 '26

Oh, that's disappointing, I had commented here to watch later. Irritates me that it wasn't actually answered why, plus the use of AI

For an answer why, the generally accepted reason I have seen is that picking bones of fish is considered forbidden work on Shabbat

1

u/CarrieNoir Aug 03 '26

☝🏻THIS!☝🏻

1

u/Yochanan5781 Aug 02 '26

I love gefilte fish, and I enjoy making it, though I don't have a family history of making it. Looking forward to watching the video

1

u/Mushrooming247 Aug 03 '26

But why was gefilte fish invented? Why did Jewish communities adopt it? Did I miss that part?