Frederic Melton
The consumption of a burger with goat cheese poses a dilemma for those who observe Jewish dietary laws. The issue revolves around the interpretation of the Torah's prohibition against cooking a kid in its mother's milk. While some argue that this phrase refers specifically to young goats, others, like Rashi, believe it encompasses calves and lambs as well. The broader interpretation aims to prevent accidental transgression and is known as building a fence around the Torah. This prohibition has been further expanded over time to include all meat and poultry, creating a strict separation between meat and dairy products in kosher diets. As a result, a burger, which falls under the meat category, and goat cheese, which is considered dairy, cannot be combined according to kosher laws.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is goat cheese kosher? | Yes, but not with a beef burger |
| Why? | The beef falls into the "meat" category and the goat cheese falls into the "dairy" category, which is prohibited by Jewish law |
| Source of the law | The Torah: "Thou shalt not cook a kid in its mother's milk" |
| Interpretations | Rashi, Talmudic writers, Shabbethai Bass, Yoel Sirkis, Joshua Falk, Shabbatai ben Meir, David HaLevi Segal |
| Other kosher options | Goat cheese can be enjoyed in a salad, pasta, or on crackers |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- The Torah prohibits cooking a kid in its mother's milk
- The Talmud interprets this as prohibiting mixing meat and milk from any kosher animal
- The prohibition is expanded to include all meat and poultry
- This includes substances derived from milk, such as cheese
- Eating kosher has influenced Jewish American Chinese restaurant patronage
The Torah prohibits cooking a kid in its mother's milk
The Talmud discusses the issue at length and concludes that the verse was not intended to be limited to a kid and its mother's milk but rather as a general injunction against mixing meat and dairy. This interpretation is supported by the fact that the Torah uses the word "kid" without specifying "goat", which could be interpreted as referring to any young animal. Additionally, the prohibition was expanded to include all meat and poultry to protect people from accidentally transgressing.
Some commentators suggest that the reason for this prohibition is to prevent cruelty to animals, as it would be heartless to use the mother's milk, intended to nurture the child, to cook that same child. Others suggest that it is based on health concerns or that it is meant to distance Jewish people from ancient pagan rituals that involved cooking and consuming meat and milk together.
In terms of modern kosher practices, a beef hamburger with goat cheese would not be considered kosher due to the prohibition on mixing meat and dairy. However, a cheeseburger made with human breast milk would not technically break kosher laws regarding mixing meat and dairy, but it would still be forbidden due to marit ayin, the idea that someone seeing this could be misled about what is acceptable according to kosher laws.
Goat Cheese and Histamine: What's the Connection?
You may want to see also
The Talmud interprets this as prohibiting mixing meat and milk from any kosher animal
The consumption of meat and dairy products together is a key principle of Judaism. The Torah, in Exodus 23:19, 34:26, and Deuteronomy 14:21, states: "You shall not boil a kid in its mother's milk." This prohibition is interpreted in several ways, but it is the one that the majority of Jews follow the most.
The Talmudic writers interpreted this as a general prohibition against mixing milk and meat from any kosher animal, except for fish. This interpretation is based on the fact that domesticated kosher animals (sheep, goats, and cattle) have meat similar to birds and non-domestic kosher land animals, so these meats should also be prohibited. The Talmudic rabbis believed that the biblical text forbade cooking and eating a mixture of milk and meat, so they imposed three distinct regulations: not cooking meat and milk together, not eating milk and meat together, and not deriving benefit from a combination of milk and meat.
The term "kid" in the Torah has been debated, with some arguing that it refers specifically to goats, while others claim it includes calves and lambs as well. Rashi, a prominent Talmudic commentator, argued that "kid" should be interpreted broadly to include calves and lambs, in addition to young goats. This interpretation is supported by instances in the Bible where the word "goat" is used after "kid" to qualify it as such.
The rabbis of the Talmud did not provide a reason for the prohibition, but later authorities offered various explanations. Some, like Maimonides, connected it to a prohibition of idolatry in Judaism. Obadiah Sforno and Solomon Luntschitz suggested that the law referred to a Canaanite religious practice of cooking young goats in their mother's milk to increase the yield of their flocks. Chaim ibn Attar, an 18th-century kabbalist, compared this practice to the slaying of nursing infants.
Goat Cheese: Room Temperature Benefits and Taste
You may want to see also
The prohibition is expanded to include all meat and poultry
The consumption of a beef hamburger with goat cheese is not kosher. The beef is categorised as "meat", and the goat cheese as "dairy", and Jewish law forbids the mixing of meat and dairy products in food preparation. This prohibition is derived from the Torah, which states, "Thou shalt not cook a kid in its mother's milk".
The prohibition was further expanded to include all meat to protect people from accidentally transgressing. This idea is known as "building a fence around the Torah". The prohibition was later expanded again to include poultry, creating a general rule against mixing milk and meat from any kosher animal, except for fish. This expansion was influenced by the Talmudic writers, who believed that since domesticated kosher animals (sheep, goats, and cattle) have similar meat to birds and other kosher land animals, their milk and meat should also be prohibited from being mixed.
As a result, the consumption of any meat or poultry with dairy products, such as cheese, is prohibited for those following kosher dietary laws. This includes cheeseburgers made with beef and goat cheese, as well as other combinations of meat or poultry with dairy.
Goat Cheese: Ethical or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
This includes substances derived from milk, such as cheese
The consumption of substances derived from milk, such as cheese, is governed by Jewish dietary laws that prohibit the mixing of milk and meat products in food preparation. The Torah states, "You may not seethe a kid in its mother's milk", which has been interpreted to mean a general ban on boiling meat in milk. This prohibition is based on a close analysis of the words used and omitted in the original verses. The term "kid", for instance, is understood to refer to a tender young animal, including calves and lambs, in addition to young goats.
As a result, the prohibition has been expanded to include all meat and poultry, preventing the accidental transgression of the rule. This means that a kosher person cannot consume a beef hamburger with goat cheese, as the beef falls into the "meat" category, and the goat cheese falls into the "dairy" category. However, it is important to note that this restriction only applies to meat and milk from domesticated kosher mammals, such as cattle, goats, and sheep.
Some Jewish authorities, such as Yoel Sirkis and Joshua Falk, argue for an even more stringent interpretation, prohibiting the mixing of milk and meat from any animal, kosher or not. On the other hand, Shabbatai ben Meir and David HaLevi Segal argue that excluding the general ban on non-kosher animals, such mixtures should not be prohibited. It is worth noting that milk substitutes created from non-dairy sources are permitted.
To prevent the consumption of forbidden mixtures, later rabbinic writers have suggested placing a large and unusual item between individuals or using different tablecloths to avoid sharing non-kosher foods.
Goat Cheese: Healthy Superfood for Men?
You may want to see also
Eating kosher has influenced Jewish American Chinese restaurant patronage
Keeping kosher has influenced Jewish Americans' patronage of Chinese restaurants. Firstly, Chinese cuisine does not traditionally mix meat and dairy, which is forbidden under Jewish dietary law. This absence of dairy in Chinese cooking made it compatible with kosher laws, despite the presence of pork and shellfish.
The first mention of Jewish Americans eating Chinese food was in 1899, when a Jewish publication criticized the community for eating at non-kosher restaurants. However, by 1936, there were at least 18 Chinese tea gardens and restaurants in Jewish neighborhoods in New York City, and Jews felt more comfortable dining there than at Italian or German eateries. This was partly due to the absence of religious symbols and the lack of a history of antisemitism associated with Chinese restaurants.
Chinese food also offered a way for Jewish immigrants to assimilate into American culture. It was seen as a sign of sophistication and a departure from parochialism. The unusual wallpaper, eccentric decorations, chopsticks, and exotic food names all contributed to the allure of Chinese restaurants. Additionally, eating Chinese food on Christmas became a tradition for Jewish Americans, as it was one of the few dining options available on that day.
While keeping kosher influenced Jewish Americans' patronage of Chinese restaurants, it is important to note that some Jews considered the pork in Chinese food to be "safe treyf" because it was often concealed in dishes like wontons and was therefore easier to eat without seeing it. This flexibility with kosher laws in restaurants, as opposed to at home, also played a role in the popularity of Chinese cuisine among Jewish Americans.
Goat Cheese and Candida Diet: What's Allowed?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
No. The beef falls into the "meat" category and the goat cheese falls into the "dairy" category, so a burger with goat cheese does not follow kosher rules.
The Torah states, "You may not seethe a kid in its mother's milk", which has been interpreted to mean that no meat and dairy products should be mixed in food preparation.
Foods in the "dairy" category include milk, cheese, and whey.
The Talmud states that the Biblical prohibition applies only to meat from domesticated kosher mammals, such as cattle, goats, and sheep. However, some argue that this should be extended to wild kosher mammals, such as deer, and kosher poultry, such as chickens.
Yes, goat cheese is kosher. It can be enjoyed in a salad, on pasta, or with crackers.
