Chapter 33: 8-11
Matter Forbidden Due to Danger
8. It is customary to place some iron on all foods and beverages at the
time of the equinox. Nevertheless, this precaution need not be taken
regarding cooked, pickled, or salted foods.
9. It is forbidden to eat food and drink which disgust people, or to eat
from filthy dishes which disgust people. Similarly, one should not eat with
dirty hands. All these matters are included in the prohibition (Leviticus
11:43): "Do not make yourselves revolting." Even if one says that he
personally is not disgusted by these matters, his opinion is negated to
that of the majority.
10. When an animal or bird was dangerously ill and was ritually slaughtered
before it died, the slaughter makes the animal's flesh permissible.
Nevertheless, people who are careful will follow the stringencies of not
eating it.
11. It is forbidden to cut down a fruit tree that produces fruit (as long
as it produces a reasonable amount - e.g., an olive tree which produces a
fourth of a kav olives, a date palm which produces a kav of dates [Bova
Kama 91b].) This also is dangerous to the person who cuts down the tree.
Nevertheless, if it grows next to other trees which are more important than
it and it harms them, or one needs its place, or it would be more valuable
if used for timber than for fruit, one may cut it down.
