Chullin

during its growth is forbidden because of the prohibition of Every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.1 Shall we say that there is [a Baraitha] that supports his view? For one [Baraitha] teaches: [The verse,] ‘[Every creeping thing that creepeth] upon the earth’, excludes mites found in lentils, bugs in pea pods, and insects in dates and dried figs.2 Another [Baraitha], however, teaches: The verse: ‘Every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth’, includes insects found in the roots of the olive and of the vine.3 Now presumably each [Baraitha] speaks of [insects found in] the fruit, and [yet there is no contradiction between them, for] the latter [Baraitha] refers to fruit during growth, whereas the former to fruit no longer growing!4 No. In either case the fruit was in the course of growth, nevertheless there is no contradiction, for the former [Baraitha] refers to [insects found in] the actual fruit5 whereas the latter to [insects found in] the stock of the tree. Indeed there is proof [for this distinction], for it reads [in the latter Baraitha], ‘Insects found in the roots of the olive and of the vine’. This is conclusive. R. Joseph raised the following questions: What is the law if the insect left the fruit6 and immediately died?7 or if part of the insect left the fruit?8 or if it was in mid-air?9 These questions remain undecided. R. Ashi raised these questions, What if the insect moved [from the inside of a date] to the outside? or to the top of the datestone? or if it moved from one date to another [that was sticking to it]? These questions also remain undecided.10 R. Shesheth11 the son of R. Idi said: Parasites12 are forbidden, because they come from outside.13 R. Ashi demurred, saying: If they come from the outside then they should surely be found in the excretory passages!14 Others report this passage thus: R. Shisha the son of R. Idi said: Parasites are permitted, because they are generated within. R. Ashi said: Of course this is so, for if they come from the outside they should surely be found in the excretory passages! The law is: Parasites are forbidden because they might enter through the nostril whilst the animal is asleep.15 Maggots16 [found under the skin] of animals are forbidden, of fish are permitted. Rabina once said to his mother, ‘Let me swallow these [maggots with the fish] and I shall eat them’. R. Mesharsheya, son of R. Aha, asked Rabina, Why is this case different from what was taught [in the following Baraitha]: [The verse], And their carcasses ye shall have in detestation,17 includes maggots of cattle?18 — He replied: There is no comparison between the two. Cattle are [in a forbidden state until] rendered permitted by slaughtering, and since these maggots had not been rendered fit by slaughtering, they always remain in the forbidden state. Fish, on the other hand, are [always in a permitted state, for they are] permitted by the mere taking up; the maggots therefore generated in a permitted state. Our Rabbis taught: Goeth upon the belly19 means the snake, ‘whatsoever’ includes the earthworm, and all that are like unto it. ‘Upon all fours’ means the scorpion, ‘whatsoever’ includes the beetle and all that are like unto it. ‘Hath many feet’ means the centipede, ‘whatsoever’ includes all that are like unto it and all that resemble the latter. It was taught: R. Jose, son of the Damascene, says: The leviathan20 is a clean fish,21 for it is written: His scales are his pride,22 and it is also written: ‘Sharpest potsherds are under him’.23 ‘Scales’, these are the scales that cover him; ‘sharpest potsherds are under him’, these are the fins wherewith he propels himself. distinction supports Samuel's view. growth, contra Samuel. this prohibition or not? the fruit. and that it had never before been outside the fruit. whatsoever goeth upon all fours, or whatsoever hath many feet, even all creeping things that creep upon the earth, then, ye shall not eat. 1.