Mitzvah —
186
Not to eat worms found in fruit once they have left the fruit
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כֹּל֩ הוֹלֵ֨ךְ עַל־גָּח֜וֹן וְכֹ֣ל ׀ הוֹלֵ֣ךְ עַל־אַרְבַּ֗ע עַ֚ד כׇּל־מַרְבֵּ֣ה רַגְלַ֔יִם לְכׇל־הַשֶּׁ֖רֶץ הַשֹּׁרֵ֣ץ עַל־הָאָ֑רֶץ לֹ֥א תֹאכְל֖וּם כִּי־שֶׁ֥קֶץ הֵֽם׃ - פָּרָשַׁת שְּׁמִינִי
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Leviticus 11:42 - "Any [creature] that goes on its belly, and any [creature] that walks on four [legs] to any [creature] that has many legs, among all creeping creatures that creep on the ground, you shall not eat, for they are an abomination."
This Mitzvah's Summary
מִצְוָה עֲשֵׂה - Positive Commandment
מִצְוָה לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה - Negative Commandment
Kashrut – כַּשְׁרוּת
Forbidden to eat worms from fruit once they have left the fruit.
This mitzvah prohibits eating worms or larvae that were originally generated inside fruits or vegetables once they exit the fruit. While they remain inside, they are not considered independently prohibited; however, once they leave, they become part of the general prohibition against eating creeping creatures. The Torah teaches carefulness even in minute details of kashrut, guiding Israel to holiness by refraining from even the smallest forbidden foods.
Commentary & Classical Explanation:
- Rambam (Hilchot Ma’achalot Asurot 2:30): Codifies that worms inside fruit are not forbidden until they leave the fruit, at which point they are included in the prohibition.
- Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 163): The root is to train the Jew in vigilance and awareness, ensuring holiness extends even to seemingly small and hidden matters.
- Talmud (Chullin 67b): Discusses the distinction between worms inside fruit and after they emerge, establishing the basis for this mitzvah.
Commentaries
(Source: Chabad.org)
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