Difference between revisions of "Prohibition of Blood/2"
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<li>R. Hoffmann explains that if the animal's blood is supposed to represent and substitute for the sinner's soul, being sacrificed in the sinner's stead, it is inappropriate for it to be consumed.<fn>He elaborates that the animal's blood, standing in for the human soul, takes on a somewhat spiritual status. As such, it cannot simply be absorbed by the body, for the physical and spiritual must remain distinct.</fn></li> | <li>R. Hoffmann explains that if the animal's blood is supposed to represent and substitute for the sinner's soul, being sacrificed in the sinner's stead, it is inappropriate for it to be consumed.<fn>He elaborates that the animal's blood, standing in for the human soul, takes on a somewhat spiritual status. As such, it cannot simply be absorbed by the body, for the physical and spiritual must remain distinct.</fn></li> | ||
− | <li>Ralbag adds that Hashem wanted to ensure that man recognize the atoning powers of blood, so that he feel that his sacrifice was effective in achieving penance. As such, | + | <li>Ralbag adds that Hashem wanted to ensure that man recognize the atoning powers of blood, so that he feel that his sacrifice was effective in achieving penance. As such, Hashem prohibited its consumption, highlighting its unique role.<fn>See <a href="Purpose of the Sacrifices" data-aht="page">Purpose of the Sacrifices</a> that Ralbag asserts that people need an active process through which they can feel that their sins are forgiven to enable them to start afresh.  Had a person simply confessed his sins or repented in his heart, he would not think that this sufficed to achieve penance, so therefore Hashem provided an active ritual for him to partake in.  The sprinkling of blood, and accompanying prohibition of its consumption, is an important part of this process.</fn></li> |
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− | <point><b>"כִּי הַדָּם הוּא הַנָּפֶשׁ"</b> – This phrase comes to explain not why it is prohibited to eat the blood, but why | + | <point><b>"כִּי הַדָּם הוּא הַנָּפֶשׁ"</b> – This phrase comes to explain not why it is prohibited to eat the blood, but why blood was chosen to serve as atonement and is sprinkled on the altar. Since blood represents or is the source of the animal's soul, it can represent man's soul and act as its substitute on the altar.</point> |
<point><b>Why is blood of non-sacrificial meat prohibited?</b></point> | <point><b>Why is blood of non-sacrificial meat prohibited?</b></point> | ||
<point><b>Spilling vs. covering blood</b></point> | <point><b>Spilling vs. covering blood</b></point> |
Version as of 08:13, 5 December 2019
Prohibition of Blood
Exegetical Approaches
Blood is the Soul
Blood is prohibited from consumption since blood represents the animal's soul and life force. This position subdivides regarding why this is problematic:
Sacredness of Life
Refraining from eating blood, the source or symbol of an animal's vitality and soul, reminds one of the sanctity of all life. Eating it would be repugnant and both demonstrates and invites cruelty.
Mixing of Animal and Human Nature
Sanctified to Hashem
Since the blood of animals is thrown on the altar and sanctified to Hashem, it is not fit for human consumption.
Sources:Ibn Ezra, R. Yosef Bekhor Shor,12 Ramban, Ralbag, Abarbanel #1, R. Avraham Saba, Netziv, R. David Zvi Hoffmann
"וַאֲנִי נְתַתִּיו לָכֶם עַל הַמִּזְבֵּחַ לְכַפֵּר עַל נַפְשֹׁתֵיכֶם" – This verse forms the basis for this approach, but commentators focus on different aspects of it, leading to two related, but somewhat distinct understandings of the prohibition:
- Apportioned to Hashem – According to Ibn Ezra, R"Y Bekhor Shor, and Ramban, the crucial point of the verse is that the blood is dedicated to the altar.13 In other words, the blood is Hashem's portion of the sacrifice (חלק גבוה) and, as such, it is off limits to man.
- Role in atonement – Ralbag, Abarbanel and R. Hoffmann, instead, focus on the blood's role in atonement.
- R. Hoffmann explains that if the animal's blood is supposed to represent and substitute for the sinner's soul, being sacrificed in the sinner's stead, it is inappropriate for it to be consumed.14
- Ralbag adds that Hashem wanted to ensure that man recognize the atoning powers of blood, so that he feel that his sacrifice was effective in achieving penance. As such, Hashem prohibited its consumption, highlighting its unique role.15
"כִּי הַדָּם הוּא הַנָּפֶשׁ" – This phrase comes to explain not why it is prohibited to eat the blood, but why blood was chosen to serve as atonement and is sprinkled on the altar. Since blood represents or is the source of the animal's soul, it can represent man's soul and act as its substitute on the altar.
Why is blood of non-sacrificial meat prohibited?
Spilling vs. covering blood
Prohibition to Noach
Similarity to other forbidden foods / items