Mitzvah —
185
Not to eat non-kosher maggots
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כִּ֣י אֲנִ֣י יְהֹוָה֮ אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶם֒ וְהִתְקַדִּשְׁתֶּם֙ וִהְיִיתֶ֣ם קְדֹשִׁ֔ים כִּ֥י קָד֖וֹשׁ אָ֑נִי וְלֹ֤א תְטַמְּאוּ֙ אֶת־נַפְשֹׁ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם בְּכׇל־הַשֶּׁ֖רֶץ הָרֹמֵ֥שׂ עַל־הָאָֽרֶץ׃ - פָּרָשַׁת שְּׁמִינִי
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Leviticus 11:44 - "For I am the Lord your God, and you shall sanctify yourselves and be holy, because I am holy, and you shall not defile yourselves through any creeping creature that crawls on the ground."
This Mitzvah's Summary
מִצְוָה עֲשֵׂה - Positive Commandment
מִצְוָה לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה - Negative Commandment
Kashrut – כַּשְׁרוּת
Forbidden to eat maggots, worms, and similar tiny creatures.
This mitzvah prohibits eating maggots, worms, and similar small crawling creatures, whether found in food, water, or the ground. These species are considered repulsive and spiritually contaminating. The Torah stresses holiness even in the smallest details of diet, requiring vigilance to avoid consuming such organisms, whether intentionally or by carelessness.
Commentary & Classical Explanation:
- Rambam (Hilchot Ma’achalot Asurot 2:30): Explains that maggots and worms that emerge from decaying matter are included in this prohibition once they have left their source.
- Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 162): The root is to instill refinement and holiness, preventing Israel from eating lowly and revolting foods that damage spiritual sensitivity.
- Talmud (Chullin 67b): Details the laws of worms and maggots, distinguishing when they are considered prohibited.
Commentaries
(Source: Chabad.org)
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