Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors.
Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker.
Kosher locust
 A red locust | |
| Halakhic texts relating to this article | |
|---|---|
| Torah: | Leviticus 11:22 |
| Mishnah: | Hullin 3:7 |
| Babylonian Talmud: | Hullin 65a-66b and Avodah Zarah 37a |
| Shulchan Aruch: | Yoreh De'ah 85 |
| Other rabbinic codes: | Exodus Rabbah 13:7 |
Kosher locusts are types of orthopterans deemed permissible for consumption under the laws of kashrut (Jewish dietary law). While the consumption of most insects is generally forbidden, Leviticus excepts four categories of flying insects (for that reason, the term "kosher locust" is somewhat of a misnomer). However, the identity of those species is in dispute.[1] Before their emigration to Israel in the mid-20th century, the Jewish communities of Yemen and parts of northern Africa, ate certain species which they preserved a tradition to be kosher,[2] and they continue to do so occasionally to this day.
- ^ Abramowitz 2013: "The rabbis of the Talmud identify eight kosher species, arguably including grasshoppers and crickets. However, while the Sephardic community has a tradition identifying kosher locusts, the Ashkenaz community follows the opinion of Rashi that we have lost our identifying traditions and therefore we refrain from eating locusts."
- ^ Amar 2004, pp. 75–81.
Previous Page Next Page
