183

Not to eat non-kosher flying insects

The Luchos - Ten Commandments
וְכֹל֙ שֶׁ֣רֶץ הָע֔וֹף טָמֵ֥א ה֖וּא לָכֶ֑ם לֹ֖א יֵאָכֵֽלוּ׃ - פָּרָשַׁת רְאֵה
Deuteronomy 14:19 - "And every flying insect is unclean for you; they may not be eaten."

This Mitzvah's Summary

מִצְוָה עֲשֵׂה - Positive Commandment
מִצְוָה לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה - Negative Commandment
Kashrut – כַּשְׁרוּת

Forbidden to eat flying insects that are not among the permitted species.

This mitzvah prohibits eating all flying insects that creep and swarm, except for the specific locust species that the Torah explicitly permits (see Mitzvah 179). The prohibition includes a wide variety of insects such as flies, mosquitoes, wasps, and other similar creatures. These species are deemed a sheketz (abomination), emphasizing Israel’s calling to avoid impurity and maintain spiritual elevation even in matters of diet.

Commentary & Classical Explanation:

  • Rambam (Hilchot Ma’achalot Asurot 2:20): Clarifies that most flying insects are forbidden, with the exception of those kosher locusts identified by tradition.
  • Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 160): The root is to instill discipline and holiness by refraining from eating creatures associated with decay and impurity.
  • Talmud (Chullin 65a): Explains the distinction between the forbidden swarming insects and the few locust species that are permitted.
(Source: Chabad.org)

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