# Can Jews and Moslems drink milk from pigs? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 4, 2006, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-jews-and-moslems-drink-milk-from-pigs/363207 "2006-07-04T21:40:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2006, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-jews-and-moslems-drink-milk-from-pigs/363207/21 "2006-07-06T15:50:21Z")
[QUOTE=Martini Enfield] If I might be permitted a minor hijack, I’ve often wondered about the Jewish dietary restriction whereby it’s not permissable to eat meat and cheese as part of the same dish- something about not boiling a kid in it’s mother’s milk, as I understand it. But how would this apply if, for example, the cheese was from New Zealand and the meat was from the US? There’d be no chance at all of the two animals concerned being related… And what about Goat Cheese and Beef Meat, or Regular Cheese and Goat Meat? Hey, it’s not like there are any Jewish people (that I know of) around here to ask… [/QUOTE] By the same token, you could munch on a slice of cheese melted on a breast of chicken, secure in the knowledge that no matter what bizzare shipping and stocking of products might have occurred, there’s no way that combination involves the milk of the mother. But the rules of kasrut involve more than merely a strict and literal observance of the mitvot. They involve what’s often called “building a fence around the Torah,” a concept that’s offered in the very first Misnah - the idea being that by observing this set of rules, not only is G-d’s command observed, but there is created a zone of safety, an area such that you KNOW you’re not going to inadvertantly transgress the commandment. ---
**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:** [July 6, 2006, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-jews-and-moslems-drink-milk-from-pigs/363207/22 "2006-07-06T15:58:18Z")
[QUOTE=grimpixie] With one notable exception… Grim 😉 [/QUOTE] Right. And there is at least one product of a non-kosher animal that is perfectly kosher. A lot of these “rules” are later interpretations and are not explicit in the bible. Grim of course is referring to humans and the second product is honey. Bees and ants are explicitly forbidden and grasshoppers and locusts explicitly allowed. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2006, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-jews-and-moslems-drink-milk-from-pigs/363207/23 "2006-07-06T16:00:41Z")
I’ll stick with the Texas sausage from City Barbecue. ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2006, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-jews-and-moslems-drink-milk-from-pigs/363207/24 "2006-07-06T18:43:31Z")
[QUOTE=Excalibre] Some authorities do maintain that gelatin from non-kosher animals can be kosher, because during the intermediary rendering process the material stops being food at all, and thus apparently maintains no memory of its origins. [/QUOTE] So. . . could a homeopathic remedy derived from pork be kosher?😉 ---
**Author:** ![spingears](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@spingears](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spingears)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2006, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-jews-and-moslems-drink-milk-from-pigs/363207/25 "2006-07-06T18:49:10Z")
[QUOTE=Quartz] Obviously, physically they can, but is pigs’ milk kosher or halal? [/QUOTE] Let’s not be picky! I had dinner with two of each in Geneva one time. I ordered the roast pork loin by pointing to it on the menu for the waiter. They all told the waiter they wanted the same. After dinner they commented on how good the roast lamb was to which I heartily agreed. 😉 One day in the cafeteria one of them pointed to a piece of ham saying “I’ll have some of the red fish.” The server said, “Thats ham” to which he replied, “Did I ask what kind of fish?” :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2006, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-jews-and-moslems-drink-milk-from-pigs/363207/26 "2006-07-07T01:15:38Z")
Hmmm… most interesting. Thanks for the information, everyone! (I’ll stop hijacking now…) ---
**Author:** ![Excalibre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@Excalibre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Excalibre)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2006, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-jews-and-moslems-drink-milk-from-pigs/363207/27 "2006-07-07T02:18:28Z")
[QUOTE=spingears] Let’s not be picky! I had dinner with two of each in Geneva one time. I ordered the roast pork loin by pointing to it on the menu for the waiter. They all told the waiter they wanted the same. After dinner they commented on how good the roast lamb was to which I heartily agreed. 😉 [/QUOTE] You let them eat something they wouldn’t normally have eaten? You didn’t even feel like you might want to tell them that it was pig? That strikes me as entertaining yourself at other people’s expense. ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2006, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-jews-and-moslems-drink-milk-from-pigs/363207/28 "2006-07-07T15:07:49Z")
John Mace: > [@](#): > > What about the bone marrow? Not sure. Exapno: > [@](#): > > So calcium from pig’s bones would be considered kosher? No matter how you split hairs, so to speak, that would surprise me. The answer, though, is probably yes (as long as the manufacturer was supervised to ensure no actual meat at all is still on the bone at the time of the processing). The source for this hair-splitting is Leviticus 12:8, which (after listing animals that may not be eaten) says “Of their flesh you shall not eat”, and the Midrash (quoted by the sage Rashi) comments “Of their flesh you shall not eat, but you may eat of their bones, sinews and hooves.” FormerMarineGuy: > [@](#): > > Where did you get this from? I have a devout Muslim friend here and he states he has never heard of such a thing. You have a cite? The quote I was responding to specifically mentioned Kosher. I make no claims regarding Muslim law. As for a cite (regarding the Kosher status of pig bones) see above. Malienation: > [@](#): > > This includes mere physical contact. Not true, at least as regards Kosher. I know the verse in Leviticus says “and their carcasses you shall not touch,” but this is interpreted as a purity prohibition - their carcasses render impure by touch, so one must not touch them when one is likely to go to the Holy Temple. grimpixie: > [@](#): > > With one notable exception… If you’re referring to human, you’re being too clever for your own good - human flesh is actually not considered to be non-Kosher based on the laws of Kosher animals. (Though it is prohibited for other reasons.) (more responses later) ---
**Author:** ![Earthworm\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f07891/32.png) [@Earthworm\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earthworm_Jim)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2006, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-jews-and-moslems-drink-milk-from-pigs/363207/29 "2006-07-07T18:51:41Z")
[QUOTE=Excalibre] You let them eat something they wouldn’t normally have eaten? You didn’t even feel like you might want to tell them that it was pig? That strikes me as entertaining yourself at other people’s expense. [/QUOTE] From the second part of his story, I got the impression the friends in question knew what they were ordering, but were playing coy about it. I **am** a bit curious who they thought they were fooling. I would hope Allah and/or G-d aren’t quite so…credulous. ---
**Author:** ![Excalibre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@Excalibre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Excalibre)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2006, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-jews-and-moslems-drink-milk-from-pigs/363207/30 "2006-07-07T19:03:33Z")
[QUOTE=Earthworm Jim] From the second part of his story, I got the impression the friends in question knew what they were ordering, but were playing coy about it. I **am** a bit curious who they thought they were fooling. I would hope Allah and/or G-d aren’t quite so…credulous. [/QUOTE] The second story sounded that way. I didn’t get that vibe from the first story at all. And yeah, I doubt pretending ignorance fools YHWH. He’s apparently pretty bright. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2006, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-jews-and-moslems-drink-milk-from-pigs/363207/31 "2006-07-07T22:03:07Z")
[QUOTE=cmkeller] If you’re referring to human, you’re being too clever for your own good - human flesh is actually not considered to be non-Kosher based on the laws of Kosher animals. (Though it is prohibited for other reasons.) [/QUOTE] I thought the reference was human milk- a kosher product from a non-kosher source (like honey from bees). It was response to the statement that kosher milk only comes from kosher animals… ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2006, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-jews-and-moslems-drink-milk-from-pigs/363207/32 "2006-07-08T00:13:25Z")
Right…and my response was that humans are not technically non-Kosher animals. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2006, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-jews-and-moslems-drink-milk-from-pigs/363207/33 "2006-07-08T00:21:11Z")
[QUOTE=cmkeller] Right…and my response was that humans are not technically non-Kosher animals. [/QUOTE] Whoops- misread the “technically not non-kosher” as “non-kosher” :o ---
**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:** [July 8, 2006, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-jews-and-moslems-drink-milk-from-pigs/363207/34 "2006-07-08T13:44:45Z")
[QUOTE=cmkeller] John Mace: If you’re referring to human, you’re being too clever for your own good - human flesh is actually not considered to be non-Kosher based on the laws of Kosher animals. (Though it is prohibited for other reasons.) [/QUOTE] I had to stop chewing my cud and scratch my cloven hoof over that statement. ---
**Author:** ![yBeayf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/e274bd/32.png) [@yBeayf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yBeayf)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2006, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-jews-and-moslems-drink-milk-from-pigs/363207/35 "2006-07-08T18:03:49Z")
> [@](#): > > Basically, the foods that are considered haram (i.e. not fit for consumption) , are things that have died naturally, been killed in a fight, pigs, anything over which anything other than the name of Allah has been said, anything that died from a fall, or was beaten, or strangled, or gored by horns, or things that wild beasts have eaten. Further, anything slaughtered on a pagan altar is forbidden, and anything that you hunt with an arrow. According to Sunni jurisprudence, animals hunted with an arrow are halaal provided the arrow is shot with the intention to kill the animal and the Basmallah is recited as the arrow is released. Animals hunted with dogs are also halaal, with the same rules about intention and Basmallah, and also that the dog must not have started to eat the animal after it is killed. Also, according to the Sunnis, any animal that lives in the sea is halaal, even if it dies naturally. ---
**Author:** ![grimpixie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecb155/32.png) [@grimpixie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grimpixie)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2006, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-jews-and-moslems-drink-milk-from-pigs/363207/36 "2006-07-10T12:51:59Z")
[QUOTE=cmkeller] grimpixie: If you’re referring to human, you’re being too clever for your own good - human flesh is actually not considered to be non-Kosher based on the laws of Kosher animals. (Though it is prohibited for other reasons.) [/QUOTE] Boo - you’ve ruined my favorite Jewish trivia question!! 😉 Grim [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-jews-and-moslems-drink-milk-from-pigs/363207.md?page=1)