Cohn, Jacob. The Royal Table - VWC: Faculty/Staff Web

MISCELLANEOUS PROHIBITIONS 139
A different type of prohibited substance is the flesh of an
animal condemned to stoning for killing a man. 2 Even
though such an ox be slaughtered ritually and found to be
free of trefak defects, he may not be eaten or enjoyed in
any way. 3
Nothing may be salvaged of an animal which
the court has condemned to lapidation.
Finally, there is a class of prohibited foods which has
as its basis no specific Biblical or rabbinic warrant but
which must be avoided simply as dangerous. By an ex-
tension of the Scriptual injunction "and ye
shall watch
greatly for your souls" the rabbis have come to consider
the avoiding of danger a Biblical command. Thus sanita-
tion and hygiene are brought within the pale of Jewish
law. For example, liquids left uncovered in countries where
snakes abound may not be used lest a snake has drunk
from them and left his poison behind. 4 Meat and fish
should not be cooked or eaten together, because it is said
that this may lead to leprosy. 5 "One should refrain from
eating anything dangerous," reads the Code, following a
Talmudic dictum, "for danger is more to be avoided than
a legal prohibition." 6
Disgusting things,
such as vomit or
excrement, should be avoided, and he who does not do so
violates the commandment to refrain from abomination. 7
It is likewise a violation of a religious law as well as of a
hygienic principle to eat from dirty or otherwise loathsome
dishes. 8
Cleanliness, both of body and of soul, leads to the
Spirit of God.
ibid. 6.
Exodus XXI, 29.
Baba Kama 38*
Avodah Zarah 30; Hullin 6a; Y. D. 116, 1.
Pesachim 76a; Y. D ibid. 2.
Y. D. Ramah ibid.
Makkoth 16a, Yad, Maachaloth Awroth, XVH 29, Y. D.
Ibid.