The gemara asks what is a dolphin, whereby Rav Yehuda answers "B'ney Yama". Rashi's explanation of B'ney Yama is that "there are fish in the sea which are half human and half fish."
Is Rashi speaking of a mermaid? I was under the impression that such a creature was nothing more than a myth..
Also are there any other sources that speak about this particular Gemara/Rashi in depth?
Thank you,
Ivan Weinstein
Ivan,
We discussed this topic in brief in the Insights to the Daf
You will find an excellent and comprehensive discussion of the identity of Benei Yama in Rabbi Nosson Slifkin's book, MYSTERIOUS CREATURES -- INTRIGUING TORAH ENIGMAS OF NATURAL AND UNNATURAL HISTORY, available online at "http://www.targum.com/store/Slifkin.html">http://www.targum.com/store/Slifkin.html . It is a fascinating book.
Y. Shaw