Kosher locust: Difference between revisions
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While most insects are considered to be forbidden by [[Kosher]] dietary laws, four varieties of [[locust]] are nonetheless considered by some to be permissible. |
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== Source in the Bible == |
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The [[bible]] states in [[Parshat Shmini]]:<blockquote>"Every flying insect that uses four legs for walking shall be avoided by you. The only flying insects with four walking legs that you may eat are those which have knees extending above their feet, [using these longer legs] to hop on the ground. Among these you may only eat members of the red locust family, the yellow locust family, the spotted gray locust family and the white locust family. All other flying insects with four feet [for walking] must be avoided by you."</blockquote> |
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== Yemenite Tradition == |
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The four types of locusts stated in the Torah are known according to Yemenite tradition to be the following: The "red locust" ["Arbeh" in Hebrew] is called "Grad" in Arabic. The yellow locust ["Sa'lam" in Hebrew] is "Rashona" in Arabic. The spotted gray locust ["Chargol" in Hebrew] is "Chartziyiya" in Arabic. The white locust ["Chagav" in Hebrew] is called "Gandav" in Arabic. According to Yemenite tradition as recorded in the work Arichat Hashulchan, the locust called "Al j'rad" is Kosher, and has three Kosher sub-species all known by that name. |
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== Tradition == |
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The [[Halachah]] regarding locusts, and all Kosher animals for that matter, is that one is allowed to eat a specific type of animal only if there is a "continuous tradition" that affirms that it is Kosher. It is not enough that the locust seems to conform to the criteria mentioned in the Torah. This does not mean that one must possess a 'personal tradition' in order to eat locusts. If one travels to a place where the people do have a tradition, the new arrival would also be allowed to eat them. Interestingly, the author of the [[Arichat Hashulchan]] points out that locusts were never really considered a 'delicacy' -- rather they were generally food for the impoverished. |
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== How an by whom where Kosher Locusts eaten == |
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The author of the Arichat Hashulchan points out that locusts were never really considered a 'delicacy' -- rather they were generally food for the impoverished. |
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The Midrash in Shemot Rabba hints that the preferred way to eat locusts was to pickle them: |
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<blockquote>"Once the locusts came, the Egyptians rejoiced and said 'Let us gather them and fill our barrels with them.' Hakadosh Baruch Hu said 'Wicked people, with the plague that I have brought against you, are you going to rejoice?!' Immediately G-d brought upon them a western wind...and none were left. What does it mean that none were left? Even those that were pickled with salt and sitting in their pots and barrels were blown away...."</blockquote> |
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Revision as of 08:21, 1 August 2007
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While most insects are considered to be forbidden by Kosher dietary laws, four varieties of locust are nonetheless considered by some to be permissible.
Source in the Bible
The bible states in Parshat Shmini:
"Every flying insect that uses four legs for walking shall be avoided by you. The only flying insects with four walking legs that you may eat are those which have knees extending above their feet, [using these longer legs] to hop on the ground. Among these you may only eat members of the red locust family, the yellow locust family, the spotted gray locust family and the white locust family. All other flying insects with four feet [for walking] must be avoided by you."
Yemenite Tradition
The four types of locusts stated in the Torah are known according to Yemenite tradition to be the following: The "red locust" ["Arbeh" in Hebrew] is called "Grad" in Arabic. The yellow locust ["Sa'lam" in Hebrew] is "Rashona" in Arabic. The spotted gray locust ["Chargol" in Hebrew] is "Chartziyiya" in Arabic. The white locust ["Chagav" in Hebrew] is called "Gandav" in Arabic. According to Yemenite tradition as recorded in the work Arichat Hashulchan, the locust called "Al j'rad" is Kosher, and has three Kosher sub-species all known by that name.
Tradition
The Halachah regarding locusts, and all Kosher animals for that matter, is that one is allowed to eat a specific type of animal only if there is a "continuous tradition" that affirms that it is Kosher. It is not enough that the locust seems to conform to the criteria mentioned in the Torah. This does not mean that one must possess a 'personal tradition' in order to eat locusts. If one travels to a place where the people do have a tradition, the new arrival would also be allowed to eat them. Interestingly, the author of the Arichat Hashulchan points out that locusts were never really considered a 'delicacy' -- rather they were generally food for the impoverished.
How an by whom where Kosher Locusts eaten
The author of the Arichat Hashulchan points out that locusts were never really considered a 'delicacy' -- rather they were generally food for the impoverished.
The Midrash in Shemot Rabba hints that the preferred way to eat locusts was to pickle them:
"Once the locusts came, the Egyptians rejoiced and said 'Let us gather them and fill our barrels with them.' Hakadosh Baruch Hu said 'Wicked people, with the plague that I have brought against you, are you going to rejoice?!' Immediately G-d brought upon them a western wind...and none were left. What does it mean that none were left? Even those that were pickled with salt and sitting in their pots and barrels were blown away...."