What are the halachic implications of consuming infested produce?
None of us would want to eat an insect―no matter how small the insect is. Yet, many of us are unaware that many of the vegetables and fruits that are commonly eaten have numerous insects upon them.
Let us begin by discussing the halachic implications of consuming these creatures:
The Torah divides insects into three categories. All are prohibited.
(1) Water insects.
They are prohibited by four separate admonishments in the Torah1.
(2) Land insects.
They are prohibited by five separate admonishments in the Torah2.
(3) Flying insects.
They are prohibited by six separate admonishments in the Torah3.
The Peri Hadash explains the reason for the multiple admonishments: Without enormous caution, one cannot avoid stumbling in this matter 4.
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