Q&A: The Impurity of Those Who Eat It
Originally published:
This is an English translation (via GPT-5.4). Read the original Hebrew version.
The Impurity of Those Who Eat It
Question
Hello Rabbi!
Why, regarding the impurity of creeping creatures, did the Torah prohibit specifically the 8 kinds of creeping creatures listed in the Torah? Is there something special that characterizes them? Why, for example, does a snake not convey impurity?
B. What is the status of food that became impure—do you throw it out, burn it?
Thank you very much!
Answer
A. I don’t know. I assume that in the Torah commentators you can find discussion of this.
B. No. There is no prohibition against eating impure food. The prohibition applies to terumah or sacred items that became impure.