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Deuteronomy 14:7 - Partial kosher signs disqualify?

Deuteronomy 14:7 - דברים 14:7

Hebrew Text

אַךְ אֶת־זֶה לֹא תֹאכְלוּ מִמַּעֲלֵי הַגֵּרָה וּמִמַּפְרִיסֵי הַפַּרְסָה הַשְּׁסוּעָה אֶת־הַגָּמָל וְאֶת־הָאַרְנֶבֶת וְאֶת־הַשָּׁפָן כִּי־מַעֲלֵה גֵרָה הֵמָּה וּפַרְסָה לֹא הִפְרִיסוּ טְמֵאִים הֵם לָכֶם׃

English Translation

Nevertheless these you shall not eat of those which chew the cud, or of those which divide the cloven hoof; the camel, and the hare, and the coney: for they chew the cud, but do not divide the hoof; therefore they are unclean to you.

Transliteration

Akh et-ze lo tokhelu mima'alei hageira umimafrisei haparsa hassu'a et-hagamal ve'et-ha'arnevet ve'et-hashafan ki-ma'aleh geira hema ufarsa lo hifrisu teme'im hem lakhem.

Hebrew Leining Text

אַ֣ךְ אֶת־זֶ֞ה לֹ֤א תֹֽאכְלוּ֙ מִמַּֽעֲלֵ֣י הַגֵּרָ֔ה וּמִמַּפְרִיסֵ֥י הַפַּרְסָ֖ה הַשְּׁסוּעָ֑ה אֶֽת־הַ֠גָּמָ֠ל וְאֶת־הָאַרְנֶ֨בֶת וְאֶת־הַשָּׁפָ֜ן כִּֽי־מַעֲלֵ֧ה גֵרָ֣ה הֵ֗מָּה וּפַרְסָה֙ לֹ֣א הִפְרִ֔יסוּ טְמֵאִ֥ים הֵ֖ם לָכֶֽם׃
אַ֣ךְ אֶת־זֶ֞ה לֹ֤א תֹֽאכְלוּ֙ מִמַּֽעֲלֵ֣י הַגֵּרָ֔ה וּמִמַּפְרִיסֵ֥י הַפַּרְסָ֖ה הַשְּׁסוּעָ֑ה אֶֽת־הַ֠גָּמָ֠ל וְאֶת־הָאַרְנֶ֨בֶת וְאֶת־הַשָּׁפָ֜ן כִּֽי־מַעֲלֵ֧ה גֵרָ֣ה הֵ֗מָּה וּפַרְסָה֙ לֹ֣א הִפְרִ֔יסוּ טְמֵאִ֥ים הֵ֖ם לָכֶֽם׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Understanding the Prohibition

The verse (Devarim 14:7) lists animals that possess one of the two kosher signs—chewing the cud (ma’aleh gerah)—but lack the other—split hooves (mafrisei parsah). These animals (camel, hare, and coney) are deemed non-kosher despite partially meeting the criteria. Rashi explains that the Torah explicitly identifies these animals to prevent confusion, as one might mistakenly assume they are kosher due to their chewing of the cud.

Significance of the Two Kosher Signs

According to Rambam (Hilchot Ma’achalot Asurot 1:2), the dual requirement of chewing the cud and having split hooves serves as a Divine decree (chok), beyond human rationale. However, the Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah 13:2) suggests symbolic meanings: chewing the cud represents deep Torah study (rumination on wisdom), while split hooves signify moral separation (havdalah) from improper conduct.

Specific Animals Mentioned

  • The Camel: Though it chews the cud, its hooves are not fully split (Rashi, Chullin 59a). The Talmud notes its hooves are padded, lacking complete division.
  • The Hare and Coney (Shafan): These animals appear to chew the cud but do not actually regurgitate food; rather, they move their jaws in a similar manner (Rashi, based on Chullin 59a). Their hooves are also undivided.

Spiritual Implications

The Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 156) teaches that kosher laws train individuals in self-discipline and holiness. Partial adherence to mitzvot—like these animals’ partial kosher signs—is insufficient; full commitment is required. The Sforno adds that non-kosher animals symbolize traits (e.g., stubbornness in the camel) that Jews must avoid.

Halachic Clarifications

The Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De’ah 79:1) rules that any animal lacking even one kosher sign is forbidden. The Gemara (Chullin 59a) further examines physiological details to determine whether an animal truly chews the cud or has split hooves, emphasizing precision in halachic categorization.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Chullin 59a
The verse is discussed in the context of the laws of kosher animals, specifically regarding animals that chew the cud but do not have split hooves.
📖 Niddah 51b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the characteristics of unclean animals and their implications for ritual purity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Deuteronomy 14:7 mean?
A: Deuteronomy 14:7 lists animals that are forbidden to eat according to Jewish dietary laws (kashrut). Specifically, it prohibits the camel, hare, and coney (hyrax) because, although they chew their cud (a sign of kosher animals), they do not have fully split hooves—another requirement for kosher animals. The Torah considers them 'unclean' (טְמֵאִים) for consumption.
Q: Why are some animals with one kosher sign (chewing cud) still not kosher?
A: The Torah (Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14) requires land animals to have BOTH signs of kashrut: chewing their cud (מַעֲלֵה גֵרָה) AND having fully split hooves (מַפְרִיסֵי פַרְסָה). Animals like the camel, hare, and coney only meet one criterion (chewing cud) but lack split hooves, making them non-kosher. Rashi explains that these animals may appear kosher at first glance, but the Torah clarifies their true status.
Q: How do we know which animals are kosher today based on this verse?
A: The Torah provides clear signs: kosher land animals must 1) chew their cud and 2) have fully split hooves (e.g., cows, sheep, goats). The Talmud (Chullin 59a) further examines these signs in detail. Today, Orthodox Jews rely on these criteria and traditional kosher certification to identify permitted animals. The camel, hare, and coney remain forbidden because they fail the split-hoof requirement.
Q: What is the spiritual lesson behind these dietary laws?
A: The Rambam (Guide for the Perplexed 3:48) teaches that kosher laws cultivate discipline and holiness by directing Jews to be mindful of what they consume. The Midrash (Sifrei Devarim) also connects these laws to refining character—just as we separate permitted from forbidden foods, we must distinguish between proper and improper behavior in life.
Q: Why does the Torah call non-kosher animals 'unclean' (טְמֵאִים)?
A: The term 'unclean' (טָמֵא) here does not mean physically dirty but refers to a spiritual state that restricts holiness. Rashi explains that consuming non-kosher animals affects the soul’s purity. The Talmud (Yoma 39a) states that avoiding these foods helps elevate a person’s spiritual connection to Hashem.