I'm currently learning about kapa and wanted to know why Rav Chananel would interprit "kapa" as bugs/worms when from the Torah it is forbidden to eat such things dead or alive. What good would it do if the vapors of "kapa" would kill them? When we are going to eat it anyway? It is only defeating the purpose.
Elie M., New York, USA
Excellent question!
Tosfos (D"H Kapa) explains that that there was a Rov (majority) against there being any Kapa (bugs/worms) in the Maror, thus the Maror would be permitted to be eaten. However, the Kapa are poisonous, and with regard to danger, we do not rely on a Rov. It was thus necessary to take extra precautions against the Kapa. Evidently, killing the Kapa removed the danger.
Y. Landy
(Please accept our apologies for the delay in getting back to you on this. Due to the pressures of organizing our Grand Siyum and Pesach vacation, the Kollel fell behind in keeping up with our email questions. We are now back on track, and you should receive prompt answers to any future questions, G-d willing.)