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Genesis 32:33 - Why avoid thigh sinew?

Genesis 32:33 - בראשית 32:33

Hebrew Text

עַל־כֵּן לֹא־יֹאכְלוּ בְנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵל אֶת־גִּיד הַנָּשֶׁה אֲשֶׁר עַל־כַּף הַיָּרֵךְ עַד הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה כִּי נָגַע בְּכַף־יֶרֶךְ יַעֲקֹב בְּגִיד הַנָּשֶׁה׃

English Translation

Therefore the children of Yisra᾽el eat not of the sinew of the vein, which is upon the hollow of the thigh, to this day: because he touched the hollow of Ya῾aqov’s thigh in the sinew of the vein.

Transliteration

Al-ken lo-yochlu bnei-Yisrael et-gid hanashe asher al-kaf hayarech ad hayom haze ki naga bechaf-yerech Yaakov begid hanashe.

Hebrew Leining Text

עַל־כֵּ֡ן לֹֽא־יֹאכְל֨וּ בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל אֶת־גִּ֣יד הַנָּשֶׁ֗ה אֲשֶׁר֙ עַל־כַּ֣ף הַיָּרֵ֔ךְ עַ֖ד הַיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֑ה כִּ֤י נָגַע֙ בְּכַף־יֶ֣רֶךְ יַעֲקֹ֔ב בְּגִ֖יד הַנָּשֶֽׁה׃
עַל־כֵּ֡ן לֹֽא־יֹאכְל֨וּ בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל אֶת־גִּ֣יד הַנָּשֶׁ֗ה אֲשֶׁר֙ עַל־כַּ֣ף הַיָּרֵ֔ךְ עַ֖ד הַיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֑ה כִּ֤י נָגַע֙ בְּכַף־יֶ֣רֶךְ יַעֲקֹ֔ב בְּגִ֖יד הַנָּשֶֽׁה׃

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Parasha Commentary

Prohibition of Gid HaNashe

The verse (Bereishit 32:33) establishes the prohibition against eating the gid hanashe (sciatic nerve), which remains binding upon Bnei Yisrael to this day. This prohibition is one of the 613 mitzvot and is codified in Halacha (Chullin 89b; Rambam, Hilchot Ma'achalot Asurot 8:1).

Reason for the Prohibition

Rashi explains that the prohibition serves as a commemoration of the incident where Yaakov Avinu wrestled with the angel (Bereishit 32:25-30). The angel struck Yaakov's thigh, dislocating his hip, yet Yaakov emerged victorious. The prohibition reminds us of Yaakov's struggle and Divine protection.

Location of the Gid HaNashe

The gid hanashe is identified as the sciatic nerve running along the hollow of the thigh. The Talmud (Chullin 93a) provides detailed anatomical descriptions, noting it extends from the hip socket down the leg. The Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 65:1) rules that both the right and left sciatic nerves are forbidden.

Halachic Details

  • The prohibition applies to all kosher animals, not just those slaughtered for consumption (Rambam, Hilchot Ma'achalot Asurot 8:1).
  • One must remove the gid hanashe before eating the hindquarters of an animal (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De'ah 65:8).
  • The prohibition includes both the nerve itself and the surrounding fat (Tosafot, Chullin 96b).

Symbolic Meaning

The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 77:3) suggests the gid hanashe represents the vulnerability of Bnei Yisrael, yet also their resilience. Just as Yaakov was injured but prevailed, so too will his descendants endure challenges with Divine assistance.

Contemporary Practice

Due to the complexity of removing the gid hanashe, most Ashkenazi communities refrain from eating the hindquarters altogether (Rema, Yoreh De'ah 65:8). Sephardic communities, however, maintain the practice of removing it under expert supervision.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Chullin 91a
The verse is discussed in the context of the prohibition against eating the sciatic nerve (gid hanasheh), which is derived from this biblical passage.
📖 Chullin 100b
Further discussion on the details of the prohibition and its application, referencing the biblical source.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the 'gid hanashe' mentioned in Genesis 32:33?
A: The 'gid hanashe' (גִּיד הַנָּשֶׁה) is the sciatic nerve, a specific tendon or sinew in the thigh. According to Jewish tradition, this verse establishes the prohibition against eating this part of an animal, as it recalls the injury Yaakov (Jacob) sustained when wrestling with the angel (Genesis 32:25-32). This law is observed to this day in kosher slaughter and meat preparation.
Q: Why don't Jews eat the sciatic nerve (gid hanashe)?
A: Jews do not eat the sciatic nerve (gid hanashe) because the Torah explicitly forbids it in Genesis 32:33. This prohibition serves as a remembrance of Yaakov's struggle with the angel, where his thigh was injured. The Rambam (Hilchot Ma'achalot Asurot 8:1) lists this as one of the 613 mitzvot, and it applies to both domestic and wild kosher animals.
Q: How is the prohibition of gid hanashe observed today?
A: Today, the prohibition of gid hanashe is observed by removing the sciatic nerve and surrounding forbidden fats during kosher meat preparation. This process, called 'nikur' (ניקור), is complex and requires expertise, which is why certain cuts of kosher meat (especially from the hindquarters) are often not sold unless properly processed. Many communities rely on trained experts to perform this removal.
Q: What lesson do we learn from the prohibition of gid hanashe?
A: The prohibition teaches us the importance of remembering significant events in Jewish history. Rashi explains that this mitzvah serves as a reminder of Yaakov's struggle and his perseverance, symbolizing the Jewish people's resilience. The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 77:3) also connects this to the idea of spiritual battles and the importance of overcoming challenges in serving Hashem.
Q: Does the prohibition of gid hanashe apply to poultry?
A: No, the prohibition of gid hanashe only applies to kosher mammals (like cows and sheep), not to poultry or fish. The Talmud (Chullin 93a) derives this from the verse's wording, which specifies 'the children of Israel'—referring to animals that the Israelites would eat, which excludes birds. The Rambam (Hilchot Ma'achalot Asurot 8:1) confirms this distinction.