Prohibition of Blood/2

Prohibition of Blood

Exegetical Approaches

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Lesson in the Sanctity of Life

Refraining from eating blood, the source of an animal's vitality, reminds one of the sanctity of all life.

Sources:RambanVayikra 17:11About R. Moshe b. Nachman #2, ?Abarbanel, R. Kook?, ? Keli Yekar, ?Shadal, RDZH

Detrimental to Health

Eating blood is detrimental to both one's physical and spiritual health.

Sources:Ibn Ezra, Rambam, Ramban, Sefer Hachinukh, Ralbag #3, Abarbanel, Seforno, Or hachayyim, R. Hirsch, Netziv¹

Distancing from Idolatry

Consuming blood is prohibited since it is related to idolatrous practices.

Sources:RambamMoreh Nevukhim 3:46About R. Moshe b. Maimon, ralbag, seforno, shadal first opinion

Sanctified to Hashem

¹ Netziv distinguishes between the reason for the prohibition of eating the blood of domesticated and non-domesticated animals and maintains that only the latter is related to the negative effects it will have on man's nature.