Meat and Dairy

Cheeseburger: a classic example of meat and dairy (source)Three times in the Torah, the instruction is repeated, "You shall not boil a young goat in its mother's milk" (Exodus 23:19, 34:26; Deuteronomy 14:21). This commandment is carried over into traditional Jewish practice as a complete separation of all meat and dairy products.

This issue is often taken to exemplify the difference between "biblical" and "rabbinic" kosher. The difference between the English translation of the verse and normative kosher law is so stark that many people perceive it as a classic example of a non-biblical rabbinic ruling.

It is no secret that rabbinical rulings exist that go beyond mere interpretation of the Torah. Jewish scholars refer to these rulings as derabbanan (דרבנן), which means "of our rabbis," in contrast with the laws that are de'oraita (דאורייתא), meaning "of the Torah." The difference between these two types of laws is an important distinction in Judaism.

Rabbinic rulings are set in place for various reasons, the most common being in order to prevent the likely transgression of a biblical law. Often those reasons are misunderstood, and sometimes they might seem like a stretch to us, but regardless, the explanation for these rulings can be found. (Such is not the case in biblical law, on the other hand. More often than not, the Scriptures are silent in regards to the meaning and purpose they were given, leaving us only to ponder and speculate.)

One might think that the sages instituted an additional law separating meat and dairy as just such a buffer. It would seem that the intention of separating the two was to prevent a scenario in which a young goat might actually be boiled in the milk of its mother. However, the sages do not see the separation of meat and dairy as an additional "fence" at all. Rather, this law is considered "biblical" in its very essence. The sages seem to have felt that the separation of meat and dairy arises from the text itself. (In fact, they do not seem to even know for certain why God prohibited the combination.)

Somehow, the elders and teachers in Israel thousands of years ago read the same verses in Hebrew and concluded that God had instructed us not to serve meat and dairy together. How is that possible?

So far we have found that although the English translation is often helpful, it also quite often leads us off course. We have run across Hebrew words translated into English words with a much broader meaning,1 as well as those translated into English words with a narrower meaning.2 We have found words that are roughly equivalent but do not match a modern scientific definition.3 There have been cases where the translators felt a need to supply words that were missing,4 as well as cases where they interpreted a passage for us, although their interpretation may not have been correct.5 We have even found that a literal, non-interpretive translation can lead us astray when it is not taken in its proper context.6 This goes to show that to understand the Bible, we must read it in its original language and familiarize ourselves with the culture and interpretation that surrounds it.

If we examine this commandment in light of the original language and culture, we will at least make some steps in bridging the gap between the historic Jewish interpretation and the modern English translation we have been given.

1. 1. Such as behemah (a large land animal such as a cow) being translated as "animal."
2. 2. Such as sheretz (teeming creatures) being translated as "insects."
3. 3. Such as ohf (birds), which includes the bat.
4. 4. Such as "naturally" in Deuteronomy 14:21.
5. 5. Such as "everything that can stand the fire" in Numbers 31:22.
6. 6. Such as "You shall eat no fat" in Leviticus 7:23.