Leeuwenhoek’s Halachic Legacy

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sultana_raisin_pistachio_dried_fruitBy Rabbi Yehuda Spitz

Antonie van Leeuwenhoek (1632 – 1723), although not the developer of the first rudimentary microscope, nonetheless is the figure most closely associated with the microscope’s mystique. He is credited for discovering micro-organisms, and is considered the greatest contributor toward making the microscope the essential research tool that it is known as, even today. In fact, his designs for improving the microscope were not successfully replicated until 1957, over two hundred years after his death!

Although the scientific, research, and medical significance and benefits of Leeuwenhoek’s work are obvious, this article sets out to explore what halachicrelevance his innovations have.

This issue actually affects many different aspects of halacha, the foremost being what status something that can only be seen with a microscope has in Judaism. For example, Sukkos time everyone checks their esrogim for blemishes. What is the status of an esrog that has no noticeable blemish, but when viewed under magnification glass, loupe or microscope, one can perceive imperfections? Similarly, if one can ascertain a problem in the script of a Sefer Torah only via a magnifier, would that invalidate the Sefer Torah? The most common question though arises when checking produce for insects[1]. If one can not detect any sign of bugs in the produce, but may perhaps be visible through magnification, is one allowed to eat the produce? And if not, is one required to use such a magnifying device to check to ensure that there are no lurking insects?

This issue, although a recurring theme in Judaism, is not a new one; it has already been addressed hundreds of years ago. There is a minority opinion that if a magnifying glass can help better find insects one would be required to use it to do a proper thorough inspection[2]. However, the majority of late Acharonim, including such luminaries as Rav Shlomo Kluger[3], the Chochmas Adam[4], the Tiferes Yisrael[5], and the Aruch Hashulchan[6], emphatically state that the Torah would not require something that could not have been kept at all times. As such, a magnifying glass or microscope could not possibly have been mandated for a halachic inspection, as it has only been around for several hundred years. Additionally, when the Torah commands an inspection, it must be something that the average Joe can personally perform[7], without the aid of instruments.

These authorities cite several proofs to this from diverse Biblical passages, such as the passage dealing with a Nazir[8], to whom all wine and wine byproducts (including wine vinegar) are prohibited, and by Ruth[9], who was told by the greatest authority of the time to dip her bread in vinegar. Yet, nowhere do we find that they pulled out a magnifying glass to check the vinegar (which was one product that over the millennia had a high infestation rate) to ascertain that no microscopic insect might have been inside. Furthermore, if minuscule mites would be prohibited due to the ability to see them under a microscope, how can anyone breathe? Every time we inhale we would be ingesting thousands of infinitesimal insects! The Torah was given to people, not angels!

The vast majority of contemporary authorities, almost without exception (!), rule this way as well, that re’eeyah – seeing, can only be referring to natural G-d given eyesight, and any magnifying tool will not change the halachic status of whatever needs to be checked[10], whether an esrogtefillin, Sefer Torah or flour.

However, as mentioned in a previous article “Bubby Didn’tEat Bugs, there are those who opine that it might be worthwhile to use a magnifier to help check better, if one can already see something, but is unsure what he is seeing. For example, if one can see a black dot, these authorities feel that one should use a magnifying glass to ascertain if it is an actual insect or merely dirt[11]. As stated previously, not everyone agrees with this, though[12]. Another application of this concept is to familiarize yourself to what you are seeing, i.e. checking lettuce by using the magnifier, as it is entirely possible that you are really seeing an insect, but don’t realize it as it might be camouflaged. Once one checks with magnification, he will recognize what the bugs look like and will be able to see them without visual aid[13].

But the bottom line is that using a magnifier or microscope to see something that cannot be seen by the naked eye, would have no halachic bearing, “bein lehakel bein lehachmir“. So, although Leeuwenhoek’s impact on the world in various important areas is immeasurable, nevertheless, his halachic legacy remains interestingly, microscopic.

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This article originally appeared on the Ohr Somayach website: www.ohr.edu.

For any questions, comments or for the full Mareh Mekomos / sources, please email the author:[email protected]

Rabbi Yehuda Spitz serves as the Shaul U’ Meishiv and Rosh Chabura of the Ohr Lagolah Halacha Kollel at Yeshivas Ohr Somayach in Yerushalayim. He also currently writes a contemporary halacha column for the Ohr Somayach website titled “Insights Into Halacha“. http://ohr.edu/this_week/insights_into_halacha/.


[1] See previous article “Bubby Didn’t Eat Bugs!“.

[2] The Ya’avetz (Shu”t Sheilas Ya’avetz vol. 2, 124) and the Sefer HaBris (cited in Binas Adam 38) imply this way. Rabbi M.M. Weissmandl in article in Kovetz Ohr Yisrael (vol. 20) opines that there is no real argument and differentiates between a magnifying glass and microscope; however from the actual words of the authorities, it seems tenuous to make this distinction and it would seem they would maintain that neither would make a halachic difference.

[3] Shu”t Tuv Ta’am V’Daas (Tinyana, kuntress acharon, 53), who vehemently objects to the Ya’avetz’s words.

[4] Binas Adam (34, to klal 38), who rejects the shitta of the Sefer HaBris.

[5] Tiferes Yisrael on Maseches Avoda Zarah (Ch. 2 Mishna 6, Boaz 3).

[6] Aruch Hashulchan (Y”D 84, 36).

[7] Several authorities stress that the halacha is referring to people with good eyesight (20/20 vision). See Shu”t Chasam Sofer (O.C. 132 s.v. v’odos) and Darchei Teshuva (84, 15).

[8] Bamidbar (Parshas Nasso Ch. 6, verse 3).

[9] Ruth (Ch. 2, verse 14).

[10] Including Rav Chaim Soloveitchik of Brisk (cited in Shu”t Igros Moshe Y”d vol. 2, 146 s.v. umah), the Melamed L’hoyeel (Shu”t vol. 2 Y”D 27), the Chazon Ish (cited in many sefarim including Orchos Rabbeinu vol. 3, haghos to O.C., hilchos tefillin 12; Maaseh Ish vol. 1,pg. 20; Nezer Chaim pg. 375,klalim nifradim 1), the Steipler Gaon (Kraina D’Igresa vol. 2, 77), Rav Moshe Feinstein (ibid and E.H. vol. 3, 33 s.v. aval and Y”D vol. 4, 2), the Tchebiner Rebbe (Shu”t Dovev Meisharim vol. 1, 1), Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (Shu”t Minchas Shlomo, Tinyana 63, 2 s.v. uma’attah and Halichos ShlomoMoadim vol. 2, Pesach Ch. 7, 25), the Debreciner Rebbe (Shu”t Ba’er Moshe vol. 5, 16), Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv (cited in Ashrei HaIsh vol. 3, pg. 211 end 13), Rav Shmuel HaLevi Wosner (Shu”t Shevet HaLevi vol. 7, 2, 10), Rav Moshe Sternbuch (vol. 1, 628 & vol. 3, 323), Rav Menashe Klein (Shu”t Mishneh Halachos vol. 4, 128 & 129 & vol. 5, 157), Rav Ovadiah Yosef (Shu”t Yabea Omer vol. 4, Y”D 21, 7 & Shu”t Yechaveh Daas vol. 6, 47), the Pri Chaim (Shu”t Y”D 43), the Bais Avi (vol. 1 O.C. 64), the Even Yikra (Vol. 2, 33), the Mayim Chaim (Shu”t O.C. 259), the She’arim Metzuyanim B’Halacha (46, 16 and 20), and the Yalkut Yosef (IV”H vol. 2, 84, 6). And although the Shearis Yisrael (vol. 1, O.C. 11 & 12) argues on the Dovev Mesharim and Chazon Ish by a certain specific case, see Shu”t L’Horos Nosson (vol. 5, 2, 2) who explains that he only disagrees by that specific case but the rule hold true. Similarly, although Rav Dovid Baharan (brought in the Kuntress Bein Hashmashos of the Even Ha’Ezel) cites a proof from the Gemara in Bechoros 52b that the Torah can be referring to supernatural eyesight, the Even Ha’Ezel himself (vol. 8, hilchos Krias Shma Ch. 1, 3 s.v. v’henei harav) dispels his proof, and maintains that this ruling holds true.

[11] This is essentially a dispute between Rashi (Eiruvin 28a s.v. tzirah, Chullin 67b s.v. b’aviha) and the Rashba (Shu”t vol. 1, 275) whether one needs to ascertain actual movement of the dot, or one has to assume that it is a bug. On this topic see Rema Y”D 84, 6; Shach (ad loc 20), Minchas Yaakov (46, 7), Pri Megadim (ad loc S.D. 20), Chochmas Adam (38, 9), Shu”t Beis Efraim (Hachadashos pg. 8), Shu”t Tzemach Tzedek (Hachadashos Y”D 92, in the brackets), Mishmeres Shalom (84 S.D. 8, 2, citing the Maharsham), Darchei Teshuva (84, 28 s.v. Ayi”sh), and Kitzur Shulchan Aruch (46, 34). The Chazon Ish (above) was known to have ruled stringently with this.

[12] See for example, Shu”t Shevet HaLevi (vol. 7, 122), Shmiras Shabbos K’Hilchasa (Ch. 3, 37, 105), Halichos Shlomo – Tefilla (Ch. 4, 25, 78), V’Aleihu Lo Yibol (vol. 2, Y”D 1), Shu”t Igros Moshe (Y”D vol. 2, 146 s.v. umah & Y”D vol. 4, 2), and Yalkut Yosef (IV”H vol. 2, 84, 21).

Shu”t Machazeh Eliyahu (91, 8). He brings proof to this from the Chasam Sofer’s custom (Minhagei Chasam Sofer Ch. 10, 18; see also Shu”t Chasam Sofer Y”D 277) on Erev Pesach by checking Maror.

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17 COMMENTS

  1. “if one can see a black dot, these authorities feel that one should use a magnifying glass to ascertain if it is an actual insect or merely dirt”– If its a bug I don’t want to eat it and if its dirt I don’t want to eat it – so I would remove it in anycase and would not need to ascertain exactly what it is. We do not need to be frummer than Moshe Rabbeinu. I also never heard of any precedence to filter water- when our ancestors dug wells they drank-or even knelled down by a river and drank
    Perhaps some would think that a regular optical microscope isn’t sufficient- we should use an electon microscope- or if optical magnification is good enough- what power is acceptable 5X -10x- 20x magnification – where would it end????

  2. Excellent article! Thanks for the clarity.nI was looking for mareh makomos on this issue and was faced with the same question, why only now are the poskim so makbid about checking for bugs..I see now who the “makilim” really were…

  3. Thanks for the comprehensive article R’ Spitz. One additional aspect of the issue of insects that can be seen with the naked eye but only identified as insects via microscope is the New York City water controversy re: copepods. A large number of Rabbonim have paskened that the water needs to be filtered to remove these crustaceans, though they can not be identified with the naked eye. The copepods can be seen as white specks in the water, but can not be identified as other than sediment without magnification. As I understand it, the issue is whether if something can be seen but not identified as an “sheretz” with only the naked eye, is it assur or not.
    R’ Yisrael Belsky, though, holds them not to be an issue.

  4. Why i should i read a torah article about a goy?
    what do i care what he says? the authors conclusion is that we dont – so why bring him in the first place?

  5. BS”D
    DEAR RAV SPITZ
    PLEASE INFORM THE OILEM THAT:
    THE PEPINO MELON FRUIT USED FOR TU B’SHVAT IS
    NOT A TREE GROWN FRUIT , THE BROCHE IS
    BOIRE PRI HOADOMO.
    KOL TUV HTZLOCHE RABO

  6. #8: The tano’im and amora’im listened to goyishe scientists of their day – in fact there’s a Gemarah (in Berachos, I think, but I could be wrong), where there is a debate between the Chachomim and goyishe scientists regarding mayim she’lanu for Matzah baking, and the Gemara states that the goyishe scientists are correct.

    “Mikol melamdai hiskalti” is not restricted to Yidden.

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