Mitzvah —
192
Not to eat blood
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חֻקַּ֤ת עוֹלָם֙ לְדֹרֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם בְּכֹ֖ל מוֹשְׁבֹֽתֵיכֶ֑ם כׇּל־חֵ֥לֶב וְכׇל־דָּ֖ם לֹ֥א תֹאכֵֽלוּ׃ - פָּרָשַׁת וַיִּקְרָא
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Leviticus 3:17 - "[This is] an eternal statute for all your generations, in all your dwelling places: You shall not eat any fat or any blood."
This Mitzvah's Summary
מִצְוָה עֲשֵׂה - Positive Commandment
מִצְוָה לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה - Negative Commandment
Kashrut – כַּשְׁרוּת
Forbidden to eat the blood of any animal or bird.
This mitzvah prohibits the consumption of blood, which the Torah describes as the life-force (nefesh) of the creature. The prohibition applies to domesticated and wild animals as well as birds. Blood must be properly drained through ritual slaughter and salting before meat is permitted for consumption. The Torah repeatedly stresses this command, emphasizing that Israel must elevate the act of eating by avoiding the very essence of animal life.
Commentary & Classical Explanation:
- Rambam (Hilchot Ma’achalot Asurot 6:1): Explains the prohibition against eating blood applies broadly to all animals and birds, and details the methods of removal.
- Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 148): The root is that blood represents the animal’s soul; eating it coarsens the human spirit. By refraining, we refine our souls and honor the sanctity of life.
- Talmud (Keritot 21a): Lists eating blood as one of the sins punishable by karet (spiritual excision), showing the gravity of this prohibition.
Commentaries
(Source: Chabad.org)
