12-24-2009, 10:47 AM
(This post was last modified: 12-24-2009, 10:50 AM by Director Michael.)
The Noahide Commandment (Genesis 9:4) that prohibits eating meat that was severed from a living animal (i.e. while its heart was still beating) does not apply to shellfish. It only applies to land mammals and birds, as explained in Part 4 of "The Divine Code" by Rabbi Moshe Weiner. Although there is no permission for causing pain or suffering to any living creature unless there is some overriding need, the use of shellfish as food for Gentiles is considered to be a valid need. (Jews are forbidden to eat shellfish, according to the Jewish dietary commandments.)