Bibbia Ebraica
Bibbia Ebraica

Responsa su Levitico 11:48

Shut min haShamayim

Regarding the permissibility of soaked beans that don't contain worms. Some forbid these because there is a part that seems to move when they are wet. I asked [in my dream] whether in this case we should be concerned for the opinion of those who forbid1This is the opinion of Rabbeinu Yerucham 15:27, , or should we say that they are permitted, since when they are dried nothing is to be found.2The question discussed in Chullin 67a:15 is whether insects that grow inside detached fruit are forbidden under the category of 'those that swarm upon the earth" (Leviticus 11:41). See Tosafot on Chullin 67b:5, where Rabbeinu Tam and Rabbeinu Netanel reject this distinction, and cite Halakhot Gedolot 62 and Sheiltot of Rav Achai as supporting it. Nonetheless, the source in Tosafot add that 'beans known as pois are permitted by all'. This is also the opinion of a responsum of Rashi cited in Beit Yosef Yoreh Deah 84.
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Shut min haShamayim

I also asked [in my dream] regarding beans and other legumes that contain insects known as kanetons1possibly referring to the French hanneton, the insect or larvae of Melolontha beetles. Cf. Rashi on Avodah Zarah 28b:5 . Mishnah Machshirin 6:1 refers to an insect called כנימה, which Rashi on Chullin 13a:4 explains as 'the coçons (cocoons) that grow in beans and lentils'. They may be forbidden, since we might assume that the insects developed while the food was attached to the plant, and the insects are therefore classified as the forbidden "things that swarm upon the earth."(Leviticus 11:29). We might also assume that the insects developed after they were picked, and therefore do not fall into this category and are permitted.2See previous question for the discussion of whether the insects were created while the fruit was attached to the ground renders them as 'swarming on the earth' and thus forbidden. Rashba (Torat Habayit Hakatzar III:3) describes two kinds of insects that may be present in beans, one that develops while the bean is attached and the second once detached, and thus recommends soaking the beans before cooking.
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