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

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-why-should-a-jew-not-be-in-the-donner-party/206507>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [October 9, 2003, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-why-should-a-jew-not-be-in-the-donner-party/206507 "2003-10-09T17:23:31Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![coffeecat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coffeecat/32/3405_2.png) [@coffeecat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coffeecat)\
**Post date:** [October 9, 2003, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-why-should-a-jew-not-be-in-the-donner-party/206507/1 "2003-10-09T17:23:31Z")

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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?

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**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\
**Post date:** [October 9, 2003, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-why-should-a-jew-not-be-in-the-donner-party/206507/2 "2003-10-09T18:20:01Z")

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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.

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**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\
**Post date:** [October 9, 2003, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-why-should-a-jew-not-be-in-the-donner-party/206507/3 "2003-10-09T18:57:45Z")

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

[http://jewish.com/askarabbi/askarabbi/askr633.htm](http://jewish.com/askarabbi/askarabbi/askr633.htm)

Ask a Rabbi is a handy site, in general.

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**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\
**Post date:** [October 9, 2003, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-why-should-a-jew-not-be-in-the-donner-party/206507/4 "2003-10-09T19:53:07Z")

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

Bees are explicitly named as non-kosher

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**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\
**Post date:** [October 9, 2003, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-why-should-a-jew-not-be-in-the-donner-party/206507/5 "2003-10-09T20:35:13Z")

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

Bees are explicitly named as non-kosher

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**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\
**Post date:** [October 9, 2003, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-why-should-a-jew-not-be-in-the-donner-party/206507/6 "2003-10-09T22:16:16Z")

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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.