Dateline Jerusalem – Locusts are the eighth of 10 plagues that descended upon Egypt prior to the Exodus led by Moses a few thousand years ago. According to the Torah (Bible), G-d covered the land of Egypt with swarms of locusts. The ground could not be seen. The sky of locusts cast a shadow over Egypt. They filled the fields, the trees and the houses of the Egyptians when Pharaoh refused to let the Israelites leave Egypt. Reminiscent of that biblical plague, just last week swarms of locusts, the size of small birds in concentrations of millions, formed a black cloud over Egypt. Locusts are not unusual in Egypt, except when they come in biblical proportions, like now. However, the locusts last week were not content to remain in Egypt. Winds swept them over the Egyptian border into Southern Israel just as Israelis are preparing to observe the Passover (Pesach) holiday commemorating the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt. Coincidence? I think not.
The swarm of locusts that just invaded Israel's borders settled mostly in the Negev Desert and the Ministry of Agriculture has been spraying ever since in an attempt to eradicate them and protect Israeli crops. For over a week Israel has been trying to cope with the millions of locusts penetrating its borders. Via diplomatic channels, Egypt's President Morsi has been asked to allow Israel to fly crop-dusters over the Sinai to keep the locusts from harming both Egypt and Israel. No response so far.
Now It Is Getting Serious
Several locusts even have made it into my area in central Israel, and there are reports they have been seen as far north as the Lebanese border. I have not personally witnessed them in Rehovot, but friends in neighboring towns have not been as fortunate. Now that the weather is changing and we are experiencing our pre-Passover hot and dry desert wind called a “chamsin” or “sharav,” more locusts are feared.
Sources agree that locusts are grasshoppers that fly and swarm. Insects usually are not considered kosher. Therefore, they are forbidden to be eaten by Jews – except for grasshoppers and/or locusts, according to Jewish law. Unless there is a continuous tradition, or “mesora,” that verifies that it is kosher, it cannot be eaten. In the Torah, the description only refers to color and broad characteristics. Jewish families from Yemen and from Iraq have such a personal tradition. For centuries, they have considered them kosher. Originally they were food for the poor. Today locusts are considered a delicacy. Ashkenazim and Tunisian Jews are forbidden to eat them because of the uncertainty in the four types of referenced species of locusts.
When the locusts swarmed into the Negev last week, throngs of people went locust hunting. A restaurant in Jerusalem cannot seem to acquire enough to satisfy its patrons. That makes me wonder whether the locusts are flying from the Negev and invading the rest of Israel, or that a few got loose when captured by those searching for the epicurean treat of crunchy fried locusts. Ugh! The thought of eating a giant crunchy insect makes me ill. During my high school years, I remember walking through some of the most expensive department stores in Beverly Hills, passing displays of boxes and jars of chocolate-covered ants. I am amazed by what lengths people are willing to go to try something exotic, dangerous, or new.
L'hitraot. Shachar
