Deuteronomy 14:21 - Strangers eat forbidden meat?

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Hebrew Text

לֹא תֹאכְלוּ כָל־נְבֵלָה לַגֵּר אֲשֶׁר־בִּשְׁעָרֶיךָ תִּתְּנֶנָּה וַאֲכָלָהּ אוֹ מָכֹר לְנָכְרִי כִּי עַם קָדוֹשׁ אַתָּה לַיהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ לֹא־תְבַשֵּׁל גְּדִי בַּחֲלֵב אִמּוֹ׃

English Translation

You shall not eat of any thing that dies of itself: thou shalt give it to the stranger who is in thy gates, that he may eat it: or thou mayst sell it to an alien: for thou art a holy people to the Lord thy God. Thou shalt not boil a kid in its mother’s milk.

Transliteration

Lo tochlu kol-nevelah la-ger asher-bi-sh'areicha titnenah va-achalah o machor la-nachri ki am kadosh atah la-Adonai Eloheicha lo-tvashel gedi ba-chalev imo.

Hebrew Leining Text

לֹ֣א תֹאכְל֣וּ כׇל־נְ֠בֵלָ֠ה לַגֵּ֨ר אֲשֶׁר־בִּשְׁעָרֶ֜יךָ תִּתְּנֶ֣נָּה וַאֲכָלָ֗הּ א֤וֹ מָכֹר֙ לְנׇכְרִ֔י כִּ֣י עַ֤ם קָדוֹשׁ֙ אַתָּ֔ה לַיהֹוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ לֹֽא־תְבַשֵּׁ֥ל גְּדִ֖י בַּחֲלֵ֥ב אִמּֽוֹ׃ {פ}

Parasha Commentary

Prohibition of Neveilah (Carrion)

The verse begins by prohibiting the consumption of neveilah (an animal that dies without proper ritual slaughter). Rashi (Devarim 14:21) explains that this prohibition applies even if the animal was otherwise kosher, as it did not undergo shechitah (ritual slaughter). The Torah permits giving the neveilah to a ger toshav (a resident alien who accepts the Noahide laws) or selling it to a nokhri (a non-Jew), but Jews are forbidden from deriving benefit from it by eating it.

Holiness as the Basis for Dietary Laws

The verse states, "For you are a holy people to Hashem your God", linking the dietary restrictions to the sanctity of the Jewish people. Rambam (Hilchos Ma'achalos Asuros 14:12) teaches that these laws elevate the Jewish people by instilling discipline and separating them from base physicality. The Sforno adds that holiness requires abstaining from anything spiritually impure, including improperly slaughtered meat.

The Prohibition of Cooking a Kid in its Mother's Milk

The verse concludes with the famous prohibition: "Do not cook a kid in its mother’s milk." The Talmud (Chullin 115b) derives from this verse three separate prohibitions:

Cooking meat and milk together
Eating meat and milk cooked together
Deriving benefit from meat and milk cooked together

Rashi explains that this prohibition extends beyond goats to all kosher animals, as the term "g'di" (kid) is used generically. The Ramban (Devarim 14:21) suggests this law also carries ethical weight—avoiding cruelty by not using a mother’s milk to cook her offspring.

Connection Between the Two Prohibitions

The juxtaposition of neveilah and meat and milk teaches a broader lesson. The Kli Yakar notes that both laws emphasize kedushah (holiness) through restraint—avoiding improper food sources and forbidden mixtures. This reflects the principle that physical actions influence spiritual refinement, a recurring theme in Jewish dietary laws.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Chullin 113a

The verse is discussed in the context of the prohibition of eating nevelah (an animal that dies without proper slaughter) and the permissibility of giving or selling it to a non-Jew.

📖 Chullin 115b

The latter part of the verse, 'Thou shalt not boil a kid in its mother’s milk,' is extensively discussed as the source for the prohibition of mixing meat and milk.

📖 Avodah Zarah 64b

The verse is referenced in a discussion about the permissibility of selling nevelah to non-Jews.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does 'You shall not eat any animal that dies of itself' mean in Deuteronomy 14:21?
A: This verse prohibits eating 'nevelah'—an animal that died without proper kosher slaughter (shechitah). The Torah teaches that we must maintain holiness in our diet, and consuming an animal that died naturally is spiritually impure. Rashi explains that this law reinforces the sanctity of the Jewish people, who are commanded to eat only meat prepared in a holy manner.

Q: Why does the Torah allow giving non-kosher meat to a stranger or selling it to a foreigner?
A: The Torah permits giving or selling non-kosher meat (nevelah) to non-Jews because they are not bound by the same dietary laws. Rambam (Hilchos Maachalos Asuros 4:8) explains that this teaches compassion—rather than wasting food, we may provide it to others who are permitted to eat it. However, Jews must still adhere to the laws of kashrus.

Q: What is the meaning of 'You shall not boil a kid in its mother’s milk'?
A: This commandment is the source for the Jewish prohibition against mixing meat and milk. The Talmud (Chullin 115b) expands this to include not cooking, eating, or benefiting from any mixture of meat and dairy. Rashi explains that this law teaches sensitivity—avoiding the cruelty of cooking a young animal in the very milk meant to nourish it.

Q: Why does the Torah call the Jewish people a 'holy people' in this verse?
A: The Torah emphasizes that the Jewish people are 'am kadosh' (a holy nation) to highlight that our dietary laws elevate us spiritually. Ramban explains that holiness comes from separating from certain physical acts, like eating non-kosher food. By following these laws, we connect to Hashem and live a life of sanctity.

Q: How do these laws apply to Jews today?
A: These laws remain fully binding today. Orthodox Jews strictly avoid eating nevelah (non-kosher meat) and meticulously separate meat and dairy, waiting between consuming them (depending on custom, 1-6 hours). The Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De’ah) details these halachos, ensuring we maintain the Torah’s standards of holiness in our daily lives.