Derasha 146 on Vayikra 11:21

TT #148 · Parshas Shemini · Aliyah 6 · Passuk 21

The Complete Passuk

אַךְ אֶת־זֶה תֹּאכְלוּ מִכֹּל שֶׁרֶץ הָעוֹף הַהֹלֵךְ עַל־אַרְבַּע אֲשֶׁר־לוֹ כְרָעַיִם מִמַּעַל לְרַגְלָיו לְנַתֵּר בָּהֵן עַל־הָאָרֶץ:

Chabad.org — Vayikra Chapter 11 with Rashi

English: However, these you may eat among all the winged swarming things that walk on four legs: those that have jointed legs above their feet, with which to leap on the ground.

Source Citation

Chullin 65a.

E-Daf.com — Chullin 65a (Tsurras Hadaf)

Core Text of Chazal

Core Text

אֲשֶׁר לֹא כְרָעַיִם. [כְּתִיב לֹא קְרֵינַן לוֹ, מְלַמֵּד] שֶׁאֲפִלּוּ אֵין לוֹ עַכְשָׁו וְעָתִיד לְגַדֵּל לְאַחַר זְמַן, כְּגוֹן הַזָּחָל – מֻתָּר.

Type of Learning

Textual reading — The unusual form of the verse teaches that a creature destined to develop the required legs may already be eaten at the earlier stage.

What Is Learned

A locust-like creature may be permitted even if its legs are not yet developed, when they will grow later.