Eggs, Onions and Garlic: Peeled Leftovers

There is a lesser-known halacha that one should not eat eggs, onions, or garlic that were left exposed overnight. This is due to “ru’ach ra’ah,” a spirit of impurity, which is said to rest upon these foods if they were left exposed overnight. This only applies to peeled eggs, onions, and garlic.[1] There are no restrictions on storing these foods overnight, or for days at a time for that matter, when they are stored whole. One who eats these items after they were peeled and kept overnight is said to be putting one’s life in danger.[2] It is important to note that the issue of peeled eggs, onions, and garlic is not a kashrut-related issue, but rather, it is a safety concern based on the ancient belief that eating these foods can be harmful. We are taught that we should take issues of safety even more seriously than issues of halacha.[3]

One may eat these foods if at least some of the original peel or skin remained attached.[4] Some authorities rule that keeping these items covered or sealed in the refrigerator is adequate to permit them to be eaten the next day.[5] So too, wrapping them in aluminum foil or the like satisfies this requirement, as well.[6] One may also eat these foods without restriction if they were used as ingredients in another food, such as in a salad.[7] So too, if they have been processed in any way then it is permitted to keep them overnight and there is no danger in eating them.[8] Some authorities rule that adding a little salt or oil is adequate in order to evade the concerns of ru’ach ra’ah.[9] In fact, some allow adding salt or oil even after the fact if these foods were found to have been accidentally left uncovered overnight. There is also an opinion that such foods can simply be washed off and then eaten.[10] Garlic and onion powder are not subject to these restrictions.[11]

Although one should make an effort to comply with these halachot, a number of authorities rule that one may be lenient with this halacha nowadays.[12] Among the reasons for this is that a number of authorities maintain that there is no longer “ruach ra’ah” in our day.[13] One whose family tradition is not to concern oneself with the issue of foods left exposed overnight need not accept it upon oneself nor impose it upon one's immediate family.[14] It is also noted that most of the primary halachic works make no mention of any restrictions on eating these foods.[15]

[1] Nidda 17a. Pri Chadash, YD 116:9; Shulchan Aruch Harav, Shemirat Guf V’nefesh, 7; Birkei Yosef, YD 116:10;  Aruch Hashulchan, YD 116:22; Kaf Hachaim, YD 116:92.

[2] Rashi, Maharsha, to Nidda 17a.

[3] Berachot 32b, Rambam, Hilchot Rotzei'ach 11:4.

[4] Ben Ish Chai, Pinchas 14.

[5] Rivevot Ephraim 3:495, 5:523; Vayaan David, YD 119; Tzitz Eliezer 18:46.

[6] Rivevot Ephraim 3:495.

[7] Ben Ish Chai, Pinchas 14; Kaf Hachaim, OC 504:1, YD 116:92; Shevet Hakehati 2:247; Teshuvot V’hanhagot 3:256.

[8] Shevet Halevi 3:169, Kaf Hachaim, YD 116:93; Darkei Teshuva YD 116:74  

[9] Taamei Haminhagim, Likutim, 16; Kaf Hachaim, YD 116:93; Yaskil Avdi 7:44; Tzitz Eliezer 18:46; Revivot Ephraim 5:523.

[10] Yad Meir 19. But see Minchat Yitzchak 6:74.

[11] Degel Ephraim 28.

[12] Yabia Omer, YD 2:7; Igrot Moshe, YD 3:20; Be’er Moshe 3:115:2; Minchat Yitzchak 2:68:13; Tzitz Eliezer 18:46; Az Nidberu 11:47; Shevet Hakehati 2:247.

[13] Tosfot, Yoma 77b s.v. mishoom,  Chullin 107b s.v. hatam; Yerushalmi, Terumot 8:3; Pri Hasadeh 3:61,62; Darkei Teshuva, YD 116:74; Har Tzvi, YD 2:74; Shevet Halevi 3:169; Yaskil Avdi, OC 7:44, YD 8:14. But see: Divrei Yatziv, YD 1:31:4 (especially in the footnote there); Chelkat Yaakov, YD 3:39:3 for some shocking statements regarding the lack of observance of this practice.

[14] Yad Meir 19; Darkei Teshuva, YD 116:74.

[15] Teshuvot Pri Hasadeh 3:61:2.