 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 varieties of locust deemed permissible for consumption under the laws of kashrut (Jewish dietary law). While the consumption of most insects is forbidden under the laws of kashrut, the rabbis of the Talmud identified eight kosher species of locust. However, the identity of those species is in dispute.[1] The Jewish communities of Yemen and parts of northern Africa, until their emigration in the mid-20th century (and afterwards in Israel), ate locusts which according to their tradition are kosher.[2] Some such species can be bought in Israel for consumption.[3] In 2020, the National Rabbinate of Israel approved locusts as kosher (Pareve) for the first time: after inspecting and ensuring that modern agriculture technologies developed by Hargol FoodTech provide only kosher approved locusts species. The company sells its locusts and other food products fortified by locust protein under a special brand "Holy Locust"
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Eating locusts: The crunchy, kosher snack taking Israel by swarm". BBC News. 2013-03-21. Retrieved 2021-06-24.