Why does Jewish law prohibit eating meat and milk but not chicken and eggs?

In Judaism, the prohibition against consuming meat and milk together comes from the Torah, specifically from the verse in Exodus 23:19 and Exodus 34:26, which state: "You shall not boil a kid in its mother's milk." This prohibition is interpreted by Jewish tradition to mean that meat and milk should not be cooked, eaten, or enjoyed together.

The prohibition is further elaborated upon in the Talmud, where it is expanded to include not only the cooking of meat and milk together but also the consumption of them in any form or combination. This separation of meat and dairy products is a fundamental principle of Jewish dietary laws, known as kashrut.

The reason for this prohibition is not explicitly stated in the Torah, but various explanations and interpretations have been offered by Jewish scholars and commentators over the centuries. Some of the commonly cited reasons include:

·         Respect for Life: Mixing meat and milk may symbolize a lack of respect for the sanctity of life, as it combines two products derived from living animals—meat from the animal's flesh and milk from its mammary glands.

·         Distinction and Holiness: Keeping meat and milk separate helps to maintain a clear distinction between different types of foods and reinforces the concept of holiness and sanctity in daily life.

·         Avoidance of Cruelty: The prohibition may serve as a reminder of the importance of compassion and empathy toward animals, as boiling a kid in its mother's milk could be seen as an act of cruelty or disrespect toward the animal and its offspring.

·         Spiritual and Symbolic Significance: Some interpretations suggest that the prohibition has spiritual or symbolic significance beyond its practical implications, representing concepts such as purity, separation, and the avoidance of mixing opposing forces.

Regarding chicken and eggs, they are not subject to the same prohibition as meat and milk. In Jewish tradition, poultry is considered pareve, or neutral, meaning it can be eaten with both meat and dairy products without violating kashrut laws. As such, chicken and eggs can be consumed in meals that include either meat or dairy, but they should not be cooked or served together with meat and dairy products in the same dish.