Thursday 20 October 2016

halacha - Drinking human blood case permissibility


In Kesubos (I believe 60a) it says that you may not drink human blood because of Maris ayin (it can be misconstrued by a observer that you're drinking animal blood).


So what if I have a sign on my theoretical cup of blood saying 'HUMAN BLOOD'. Is there still Maris ayin? Or is this comparable to drinking almond milk where, at least in the Middle Ages, they put almonds around to show any lookers that you're not eating meat and milk together?



Answer



There is a halacha known as Bal Teshaktzu which prohibits from engaging in any activity that could be viewed as disgusting (see e.g., Avoda Zara 68b). Whether this applies to blood can be derived from SA YD 116:6



It is prohibited to eat food and drinks that a person's soul is disgusted by, such as drinks and food that have vomit or feces mixed with them, and rotten moisture and things like this. It is assur to eat and drink from dirty vessels that a person's soul is disgusted by them, like bathroom vessels and glass vessels that they let blood into.




R Ari Enkin here expands



The Torah considers human dignity to be of primary importance and it is even a factor when deciding halachic matters. [...] One is forbidden to eat any food that most people find disgusting even if one happens to enjoy it. (O.C. Y.D. 116:6, Kaf Hachaim 116:66, Rambam Ma’achalot Assurot 17:29) [...] So too, although eating certain bugs and even drinking urine is essentially permissible, these things should not be done under the principles of Ba’al Teshaktzu. (Tosfot Chullin 66a, Rema Y.D. 13:1, Shach Y.D. 81:3)



Therefore it appears prohibited to drink blood even if it is clear to all this is human blood. Yuk!


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