In Korach and Chukas-Balak 5783 Halacha Discussions, (June 2023) we explained the proper method of preparing the popular dish “eggs and onions” on Shabbos. In footnote 14 (Korach 5783, 17 June 2023), we mentioned briefly that there is a “danger” in leaving peeled eggs overnight. Let us elaborate on this somewhat obscure statement:
The Torah’s commandment “beware for your souls” (Devarim 4:9) includes the prohibition of placing oneself in any type of life-threatening situation, e.g., walking dangerously near the edge of a roof, exposing oneself to a disease, etc. In addition to such obviously dangerous acts, Chazal warned against other dangers which are not easily understood today, such as the well-known prohibition against eating meat and fish together.
Although we cannot explain the danger in terms of medical science, we accept and adhere faithfully to Chazal’s warning that eating fish and meat together is a danger.
Another “dangerous” food which we are alerted to is eating a peeled egg, peeled onion, or peeled garlic clove that was left overnight. The Talmud says that a ruach ra’ah, literally a “bad spirit” or a “spirit of impurity,” rests upon these foods when peeled and left overnight (similar to the “spirit of impurity” that rests on one’s body when asleep at night and remains on the hands upon awakening).
According to this, if a person eats these foods after they were left overnight, he endangers his life. Moreover, he will be judged by the Heavenly Court as a person who took his own life.
Interestingly, though, this danger is not as well-known as the danger of eating fish and meat together, and many communities do not practice it. The difference is probably because the prohibition against eating meat and fish together is quoted by rishonim and in Shulchan Aruch, whereas the danger of these peeled foods is omitted by many of the rishonim and not recorded in Shulchan Aruch. Perhaps they held that this particular “spirit of impurity” was no longer prevalent.
Some people are stringent with peeled radishes also, but this stringency has no apparent source.
Thus, in many communities this prohibition is not followed, and furthermore, many people have never even heard of it. But in many other communities, the prohibition is followed, to some degree or another. While omitted by many early sources, the prohibition against eating these three peeled foods is nevertheless cited by some rishonim, and written as practical halachah by several of the later authorities, among them Pri Chadash, Shulchan Aruch Harav, Aruch Hashulchan, and Ben Ish Chai.
Nowadays, does everyone have to be careful of this prohibition? Clearly, if it is a family custom, then one should continue observing it – since it has a Talmudic source and is just as valid as any other well-founded custom. However, the poskim have differing opinions as to whether one who never followed this practice is required to adopt it. Some rule that it is mandatory, others recommend it, while others do not require following it at all.
The prohibition applies even if the peeled foods were wrapped, or sealed, or stored in a closed pot or container, or were placed in a refrigerator. It also applies whether the peeled items were whole, cut up into large or small pieces, diced, or crushed.
Continued next week...
