Dietary prohibitions - Judaism - mixing of meat and dairy | alimentarium (2024)

The Jewish dietary laws outlined in the Torah have been subject to numerous interpretations. The consumption of blood and of the sciatic nerve, and also the mixing of dairy and meat products are explicitly forbidden. Their symbolic meaning is important and requires rigorous implementation.

0 comments

Dietary prohibitions - Judaism - mixing of meat and dairy | alimentarium (1)

© Shutterstock - ChameleonsEye -The making of unleavened bread by Orthodox Jews follows strict rules that prevent the dough fermenting, Israel, 2011

Dietary prohibitions

Practising Jews consider respecting kashrut and its food restrictions as fundamental. Kashrut is the body of Jewish dietary laws and customs stipulating the products that are either permitted or forbidden to be eaten and the manner in which they must be prepared.

Animals which can be consumed must be slaughtered in accordance with precise rules, called shehita. It is forbidden to consume the sciatic nerve or blood, which is equated with the principle of life.

Another dietary rule, cited three times in the Torah, concerns the separation of meat and dairy produce: “You shall not boil a kid in its mother’s milk.” (Exodus 23:19 and 34:26 and Deuteronomy 14:21) While this prohibition is interpreted in many different ways, it seems to be the one which the majority of Jews obey the most.

Prohibition on mixing dairy products with meat

In Jewish tradition, the prohibition on mixing dairy and meat products has been interpreted in several different ways. Some see it as an implementation of the same principle of separating animals authorised for consumption from those that are forbidden. Others associate it with the general prohibition on certain mixtures set out in the Torah, such as that of coupling animals from different species. Yet others see it as symbolic: the refusal to mix life (milk) and death (meat).

Several rules must therefore be followed to respect the prohibition on cooking and consuming meat products with dairy products. Traditionally, this separation begins in the kitchen as, in the refrigerator, these products must not come into contact with one other. Similarly, different cooking utensils and dishes are used and are washed and stored separately.

For practising Jews, respecting the laws of kashrut and its restrictions makes eating outside the home complicated. This means, for example, choosing restaurants under rabbinical supervision. However, kashrut laws which have structured the Jewish diet have also been adapted to the culinary traditions of host countries and countries of residence, borrowing their ingredients and their recipes.

Time between milk and meat

A certain amount of time must be left after consuming a meat dish before eating a dairy product, so that the meat and milk are not mixed in the stomach. The waiting time however is shorter if a meat product is eaten after a dairy product.

ASSOULY, Olivier, 2002. Les nourritures divines. Essai sur les interdits alimentaires. Paris: Actes Sud.

GUGENHEIM, Ernest. 1992. Le judaïsme dans la vie quotidienne. Albin Michel.

DOUGLAS, Mary, 2004 (trad.) [1999]. L’anthropologue et la Bible. Lecture du Lévitique. Bayard.

FISZON, Bruno, 2008. Les lois alimentaires juives: le cacherout. Bulletin de l’Académie Vétérinaire de France [en ligne]. 2008. Tome 161, n°4. [Consulté le 25 novembre 2015]. Disponible à l’adresse: http://bit.ly

MARTENS, Francis, 1977. Diététhique ou la cuisine de Dieu. Communications, L'objet du droit. N°26. 1977. pp. 16-45.

doi : 10.3406/comm.1977.1392

NIZARD, Sophie, 2006. «Tu ne cuiras pas le chevreau dans le lait de sa mère» [en ligne]. [Consulté le 15 décembre 2015]. Disponible à l’adresse: http://www.lemangeur-ocha.com

VIALLES, Noëlie, 1998. Toute chair n’est pas viande. Études rurales. 1998. N° 147-148. pp. 139-149.

Cacherout. Wikipédia, l'encyclopédie libre.[Consulté le 10 décembre 2015]. Disponible à l’adresse: https://fr.wikipedia.org

Dietary prohibitions - Judaism - mixing of meat and dairy | alimentarium (2024)

FAQs

Dietary prohibitions - Judaism - mixing of meat and dairy | alimentarium? ›

The classical rabbis only considered milk and meat cooked together biblically forbidden, but Jewish writers of the Middle Ages also forbade consumption of anything merely containing the mixed tastes of milk and meat. This included, for example, meat that had been soaked in milk for an extended period.

Can Jews not eat meat and dairy together? ›

The Torah states three times, “Lo s'vashel g'di b'chalev eemo” – “Do not cook a young animal in its mother's milk.” From these psukim, the Gemara derives three prohibitions – one may not eat milk and meat together, one may not cook them together, and one may not derive benefit from such cooked mixtures.

What does the Torah say about mixing meat and dairy? ›

Another dietary rule, cited three times in the Torah, concerns the separation of meat and dairy produce: “You shall not boil a kid in its mother's milk.” (Exodus 23:19 and 34:26 and Deuteronomy 14:21) While this prohibition is interpreted in many different ways, it seems to be the one which the majority of Jews obey ...

How many biblical prohibitions are associated with mixing dairy and meat? ›

Three times, at Exodus 23:19, Exodus 34:26, and Deuteronomy 14:21, Scripture ordains that one may not eat the flesh of a kid that has been cooked in its own mother's milk.

Why do Jews wait 6 hours between meat and dairy? ›

Rambam explains that meat tends to get stuck in one's teeth, and if one consumes dairy shortly after eating meat, the two may mix in the mouth (Hilchot Maachalot Asurot 9:28). Rashi maintains that since meat leaves fatty residue and an aftertaste, time is needed to allow them to dissipate (Chullin 105a).

Why do kosher kitchens have two of everything? ›

The requirement to keep meat and dairy products separate necessitates that they be prepared with their own designated utensils. Accordingly, a kosher kitchen can be characterized by duplicates: two sets of pots, two sets of dishes, and sometimes even two ovens or two sinks. On this page: Utensils.

Can Jews have cream? ›

Dairy includes the milk of any kosher animal, all milk products made with it (cream, butter, cheese, etc.), and any food containing even a small quantity of the above. Pareve foods are neither “meat” nor “dairy.” Eggs are pareve, as are all fruits, vegetables and grains.

Is it a sin to mix meat and dairy? ›

The classical rabbis only considered milk and meat cooked together biblically forbidden, but Jewish writers of the Middle Ages also forbade consumption of anything merely containing the mixed tastes of milk and meat.

What Scripture says do not mix milk and meat? ›

The prohibition of eating meat and milk, or foods derived from them, is first mentioned in the Talmud (Hul. 8:1), but is traced back by the rabbis to the Biblical commandment: "Thou shalt not seethe a kid in its mother's milk" (Ex. 23:19). It applies, however, to the flesh of poultry as well as to that of mammals.

Can Jews eat pizza? ›

When all of the ingredients inside a food are "kosher", the food is then labeled as "kosher." Pizza consists of 3 main ingredients: Dough, Sauce, and Cheese. The ingredients used to make the dough (flour, sugar, salt, water, etc.) must be (and typically are) kosher.

Can Jews eat shrimp? ›

Animals that live in water can only be eaten if they have fins and scales. This means that shrimps, prawns and squid are not fish in the true sense, and so they are just as non-kosher as the eel which has lost its fins through evolution.

What two foods must not be mixed according to kosher laws? ›

The Laws prohibiting the consumption of meats and dairy together originates in a phrase quoted three times in the Torah; "Do not seethe a kid in it's mother's milk" (Ex. 23:19; Ex. 34:26; Deut. 14:21).

Can orthodox Jews eat ice cream? ›

The very clear answer is that no, ice cream is not prohibited at all. Orthodox Jews love ice cream as much as any other culture, and the sheer number of brands, flavors, and recipes grows by the year — almost every ice cream brand you'll see on shelves boast a kosher symbol.

What is the law regarding the mixing of meat and milk according to Judaism? ›

According to kosher tradition, any food categorized as meat may never be served or eaten at the same meal as a dairy product. Furthermore, all utensils and equipment used to process and clean meat and dairy must be kept separate — even down to the sinks in which they're washed.

Can Jews eat fish and dairy at the same time? ›

6. Harav Ovadia Yosef zt”l discusses this issue at length and concludes that, “One should refrain from eating fish and milk or cheese due to the potential danger involved. However, those that are lenient to eat fish and butter together are permitted to continue in their approach.

How long do Dutch Jews wait between meat and milk? ›

As long as one recited a brachah achrona and cleared the table, one would be permitted to eat dairy immediately. The Taz writes that the custom of many Dutch Jews to wait one hour is based upon the ruling of Tosafos.

Can milk and meat be eaten together? ›

Yes, it takes time to digest meat & for this reason, non-vegetarian food should not be consumed for at least 3 hours after the consumption of milk. A healthy diet also means keeping away from toxic or harmful food items or food combinations in order to ensure a better way of lifestyle.

Can Jews digest milk? ›

Notwithstanding our predilection for cheese-eating on Shavuot, we are also more prone to lactose intolerance: three-quarters of all Jews cannot digest this milk sugar, as compared to 90 percent of Asian-Americans.

Is it bad to eat meat and cheese together? ›

In previous generations, people who restricted eating meat and cheese together, knowingly or unknowingly, made a healthy dietary choice. When eaten together, the high saturated fat content in these foods may increase your risk of developing these diseases.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Foster Heidenreich CPA

Last Updated:

Views: 5767

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (76 voted)

Reviews: 91% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Foster Heidenreich CPA

Birthday: 1995-01-14

Address: 55021 Usha Garden, North Larisa, DE 19209

Phone: +6812240846623

Job: Corporate Healthcare Strategist

Hobby: Singing, Listening to music, Rafting, LARPing, Gardening, Quilting, Rappelling

Introduction: My name is Foster Heidenreich CPA, I am a delightful, quaint, glorious, quaint, faithful, enchanting, fine person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.