And why should a Jew not be in the Donner Party?

The TV mentioned something about the Donner Party last week, and it led to one of those weird conversations we sometimes have at my house, and a question: What is Judaism’s position on cannibalism in a survival situation? Clearly, under ordinary circumstances it’s forbidden, if only because people aren’t kosher, (Hijack: Why is breast milk kosher for babies, when it comes from a non-kosher animal?) but what if it’s the only way to save your life?

From what I understand, exceptions to the laws of kashrut have always been made in life and death situations. Similarly, the sick do not have to fast on Yom Kippur. And breast milk is legitimate just for obvious reasons.

Judaism is a belief, not a mindless fanaticism.

Well, here’s Rabbi Joseph Ozarowski’s answer:

http://jewish.com/askarabbi/askarabbi/askr633.htm

Ask a Rabbi is a handy site, in general.

There is one other example of a kosher product from a non-kosher animal:

Bees are explicitly named as non-kosher

There is one other example of a kosher product from a non-kosher animal:

Bees are explicitly named as non-kosher

What have you got against bees?!?

Here is a trick I learned from a free-loading scab of an ex-co-worker: Always order pizza with sausage and ham. Then he wouldn’t try to con me out of any.

God, I hated that guy.