Torah Portion: Shemini
“את זה תאכלו… אשר לו כרעים ממעל לרגליו…” (ויקרא יא כא)
Only this may you eat from among all flying teeming creatures that walk on four legs: one that has jumping legs above its legs etc. (Vayikra 11:21).
It is a positive commandment to inspect the signs of kosher-species grasshoppers, which are the signs written in the torah — …one that has jumping legs above its legs etc. (Vayikra 11:21).
The laws of the mitzvah include: Our Sages explain that there are eight types of grasshoppers that are kosher. An individual who is thoroughly acquainted with them may rely on his expertise and their names and may eat them. An individual who is not familiar with them inspects them using the signs provided by the Torah. There are three signs: They have four wings that cover the majority of the length and circumference of their body, they have four legs and they have two “jumping-legs” with which to spring upon the earth.
This mitzvah applies in all places and at all times, to both men and women. One who transgressed this and ate of them without inspecting them properly violated a positive commandment.
