Pisqa’ 761
1
“Only be scrupulous not to eat the blood” (Dt.12:23).
R. Judah says:
This indicates that Israel swilled blood
prior to the giving of the Torah!
Is it possible to say that
they did so even after receiving it in joy from Mt. Sinai?
The Teaching states:
“Only” (raq; Dt.12:23)—
[the restrictive clause implies
that consumption of blood must cease
“from now on”].
Said R. Shimon b. Azzai:
Now, aren’t there three hundred
similar prescriptions in the Torah—
[why then emphasize be scrupulous]?
To instruct as follows:
Just as the verse warns you from eating the blood,
which is the easiest commandment to obey,
all the more so should you be warned about
the rest of the commandments!2
2
R. Shimon says:
Every commandment which Israel received
in joy from Mt. Sinai,
they now perform with joy;
but every commandment which Israel did not receive
in joy from Mt. Sinai,
they do not perform with joy!
Rabban Shimon b. Gamliel says:
Every commandment for which
Israel martyred itself in times of persecution,
they now practice openly;
but every commandment for which
Israel did not martyr itself in times of persecution,
still wavers in their hands!
“For the blood is the vital-force” (Dt.12:23)—
this explains the point [of not eating the blood].
3
“So, do not eat the vital-force with the meat” (Dt.12:23).
This verse [proscribes] eating
a limb cut from a living animal.
Now, doesn’t reason dictate as much?
Just as a mixture of milk and meat
is permitted to descendants of Noah,
but prohibited to Israel,
isn’t it reasonable that
a limb cut from a living animal,
which is prohibited to descendants of Noah,
should be prohibited to Israel as well?
[The example of] the shapely war-captive (Dt.21:11)
—and other similar cases—
illustrates the issue.
For she is prohibited to descendants of Noah,
but permitted to Israel!
Thus, you should not wonder why
a limb cut from a living animal
—while it is prohibited to descendants of Noah—
might be permitted to Israel!
[Therefore,] the Teaching states:
“So, do not eat the vital-force with the meat” (Dt.12:23)—
This verse [proscribes] eating
a limb cut from a living animal.
R. Hananiah b. Gamliel says:
this verse [proscribes] eating
the blood from a living animal.3
4
“Do not eat it” (Dt.12:24)—
this includes [the proscription against eating]
a mixture of milk and meat (Dt.14:21).
Now, doesn’t reason dictate such a rule?
Just as carrion,
for the boiling of which we are not held liable,
yet, we are held liable for eating it,
isn’t it reasonable that,
For a mixture of milk and meat,
for the boiling of which we are held liable,
we should be liable for eating it as well?
[The example of] a field sown
with mixed species of seeds
illustrates the issue.
For we are held liable for sowing the seeds,
but are not held liable for eating them!4
Thus, you should not wonder why
a mixture of milk and meat—
although we are held liable for boiling it,
we might not be held liable for eating it!
[Therefore,] the Teaching states:
“Do not eat it” (Dt.12:24)—
this includes [the proscription against eating]
a mixture of milk and meat.
R. Eliezer says:
Now, just as the Paschal lamb,
for the boiling of which we are not held liable,
yet, we are held liable
for eating [the boiled meat],
so, too, a mixture of milk and meat,
for the boiling of which we are held liable—
isn’t it reasonable that we be
held liable for eating it as well?
The example of compounding incense
illustrates the issue.
For we are held liable
for [an error] in compounding [the ingredients],
but are not held liable for sniffing it!
Thus, you should not wonder why
a mixture of milk and meat—
although we are held liable for boiling it,
we might not be held liable for eating it!
[Therefore,] the Teaching states:
“Do not eat it” (Dt.12:24)—
this includes [the proscription against eating]
a mixture of milk and meat.
5
Rabban Gamliel, our Teacher, says:
Look what He says:
“Only be scrupulous not to eat the blood” (Dt.12:23)–
just as Scripture warns you from eating the blood,
which is the easiest commandment to obey,
all the more so should you obey
the rest of the commandments!5