<![CDATA[Ask Noah Q&A Forum - Treatment of Animals/Forbidden Meat (R, T)]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/ Fri, 24 Apr 2026 04:27:24 +0000 MyBB <![CDATA[Hunting and Fishing]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=3392 Tue, 21 Apr 2026 22:47:20 +0000 Director Michael]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=3392
Quote:Is fishing permitted for Noahides? I'm talking about rod and reel fishing, with the hooks and everything. It says in The Divine Code that hunting purely for sport is forbidden.

Fishing is permitted on the same basis as hunting for birds and animals. Fishing is a type of hunting - for fish. In The Divine Code, see Part IV, chapter 7. It explains that hunting purely for sport is forbidden. The same applies for fishing purely for sport, in which the fish that are caught will not be used for any practical human need.

Most people are in places where they can buy fish from stores. That's a valid ethical reason for choosing not catch fish for yourself, but rather to eat fish that have already been caught by others and put on the market. But the availability of commercial fish doesn't make it forbidden for a person on his own to catch fish that will be eaten.

Quote:What types of fishing are permitted. Can one catch and release?

Catch-and-release fishing is classified as causing unnecessary tza'ar ba'alei chayim ("pain / suffering to a living creature"). So it should not be done.
It is permitted to catch fish to eat them. (Gentiles may eat any species of fish. Jews are only permitted to eat kosher species of fish, which are those with fins and scales.)

Quote:So fishing with hooks is permitted, despite the risk of a hook snapping off and causing unnecessary harm to a fish?

It's permitted, and it's not considered to be a risk of unnecessary harm to the fish.
That risk is a necessary part of that method of procuring fish for food.

Likewise, hunting animals for food is permitted (in accordance with the government's laws), despite the risk that an animal might be only wounded by the hunter and might still escape without being taken.

Ethically, a hunter or fisherman is encouraged to take steps to reduce the amount of suffering that he will or might cause to the creatures he is obtaining or trying to obtain for food, if it's not troublesome or inconvenient for him to do so.]]>
Quote:Is fishing permitted for Noahides? I'm talking about rod and reel fishing, with the hooks and everything. It says in The Divine Code that hunting purely for sport is forbidden.

Fishing is permitted on the same basis as hunting for birds and animals. Fishing is a type of hunting - for fish. In The Divine Code, see Part IV, chapter 7. It explains that hunting purely for sport is forbidden. The same applies for fishing purely for sport, in which the fish that are caught will not be used for any practical human need.

Most people are in places where they can buy fish from stores. That's a valid ethical reason for choosing not catch fish for yourself, but rather to eat fish that have already been caught by others and put on the market. But the availability of commercial fish doesn't make it forbidden for a person on his own to catch fish that will be eaten.

Quote:What types of fishing are permitted. Can one catch and release?

Catch-and-release fishing is classified as causing unnecessary tza'ar ba'alei chayim ("pain / suffering to a living creature"). So it should not be done.
It is permitted to catch fish to eat them. (Gentiles may eat any species of fish. Jews are only permitted to eat kosher species of fish, which are those with fins and scales.)

Quote:So fishing with hooks is permitted, despite the risk of a hook snapping off and causing unnecessary harm to a fish?

It's permitted, and it's not considered to be a risk of unnecessary harm to the fish.
That risk is a necessary part of that method of procuring fish for food.

Likewise, hunting animals for food is permitted (in accordance with the government's laws), despite the risk that an animal might be only wounded by the hunter and might still escape without being taken.

Ethically, a hunter or fisherman is encouraged to take steps to reduce the amount of suffering that he will or might cause to the creatures he is obtaining or trying to obtain for food, if it's not troublesome or inconvenient for him to do so.]]> <![CDATA[Traps for harmful insects]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=3377 Wed, 08 Aug 2018 14:57:13 +0000 John]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=3377

Dear AskNoah rabbis,


Since being good to animals is important in Judaism and Noahidism, I have a question for you about yellow jackets. Hornets were described in the Jewish Bible as driving out nations from before the children of Israel. In this part of Oregon right now, I've heard rumors there has been, so far, a very strong run of yellow jackets in the area this season (thought I haven't confirmed that rumor). Those traps that have a chemical attractant are very effective, but I can't see how they are humane. It seems to me that the yellow jackets would die of dehydration and heat, since they would have no access to water and the see-through plastic traps would act like a greenhouse.

What is the best course of action, and how might this be different for Noahides vs. Jews? Should catch-and-release be used? If so, how (hopefully without getting stung)? And what about possible strife if a neighbor somehow found out you were releasing yellow jackets – how would that be prioritized? What if a Noahide college student had roommates that were using the chemical attractant traps described above – should he find a way of releasing the yellow jackets from that trap at a different location so they would not die such a bad death? If there were many yellow jackets or hornets in some area, would it be better for a Noahide to accept that G-d allowed them to multiply, and only to go about one's business while trying to ignore them, even if they were present in large numbers? Or, if a Noahide is aware that a certain popular high-frequency radio technology has been the primary reason for colony collapse disorder in honeybees and has increased tick populations (the yellow jackets feed on ticks) leading to various environmental imbalances, should he focus his yellow jacket-related efforts more on educating mankind about the problems with that technology?

Thanks!]]>

Dear AskNoah rabbis,


Since being good to animals is important in Judaism and Noahidism, I have a question for you about yellow jackets. Hornets were described in the Jewish Bible as driving out nations from before the children of Israel. In this part of Oregon right now, I've heard rumors there has been, so far, a very strong run of yellow jackets in the area this season (thought I haven't confirmed that rumor). Those traps that have a chemical attractant are very effective, but I can't see how they are humane. It seems to me that the yellow jackets would die of dehydration and heat, since they would have no access to water and the see-through plastic traps would act like a greenhouse.

What is the best course of action, and how might this be different for Noahides vs. Jews? Should catch-and-release be used? If so, how (hopefully without getting stung)? And what about possible strife if a neighbor somehow found out you were releasing yellow jackets – how would that be prioritized? What if a Noahide college student had roommates that were using the chemical attractant traps described above – should he find a way of releasing the yellow jackets from that trap at a different location so they would not die such a bad death? If there were many yellow jackets or hornets in some area, would it be better for a Noahide to accept that G-d allowed them to multiply, and only to go about one's business while trying to ignore them, even if they were present in large numbers? Or, if a Noahide is aware that a certain popular high-frequency radio technology has been the primary reason for colony collapse disorder in honeybees and has increased tick populations (the yellow jackets feed on ticks) leading to various environmental imbalances, should he focus his yellow jacket-related efforts more on educating mankind about the problems with that technology?

Thanks!]]> <![CDATA[How to/can a Gentile observe only eating Jewish-certified kosher meat?]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=2069 Wed, 15 Nov 2017 14:59:19 +0000 Noahide Q]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=2069 but not a requirement, for a Gentile to voluntarily restrict himself to only eating Jewish-certified kosher meat. That is because a practical consequence of the Jewish kosher-slaughter method is that there is no possibility that it could be forbidden as "meat from a living animal."

So a Noahide is permitted to choose to eat only kosher-certified meat, if he wishes to go "beyond the letter of the law" in the observance of his commanded prohibition against eating meat that was removed from a living land mammal or bird.

I would like to understand how this voluntary restriction could be put into practice considering the following:

1] A gentile is punishable for eating even the slightest amount of an edible part that was taken from a living land mammal or bird.

2] Many general foods that are not labelled 'Kosher' will contain an amount of meat, or derived elements, that could possibly be forbidden as meat from a living land mammal or bird e.g. breads.

3] A Gentile's utensils may retain slight amounts of meat that could possibly be forbidden as meat from a living land mammal or bird.

While a Gentile does not have a prohibition in cases of doubt, if a Gentile relies on this in relation to scenarios 2] & 3] how can they justify not relying on doubt in all cases?

If a Gentile is going to voluntary restrict themselves to eating only kosher-certified meat, and thereby not rely upon doubt, then how could they carve out an exception for scenarios 2] & 3]? Shouldn't the Gentile either rely on doubt in all cases, or be as scrupulous as possible in all cases to avoid the possibility of eating meat from a living land mammal or bird?

Is it because we are still only talking about an entirely voluntary restriction, that the Gentile can be selective to what extent he/she reduces the possibility of eating meat from a living land mammal or bird.

Kindest Regards
Neil
Brisbane, Australia]]> but not a requirement, for a Gentile to voluntarily restrict himself to only eating Jewish-certified kosher meat. That is because a practical consequence of the Jewish kosher-slaughter method is that there is no possibility that it could be forbidden as "meat from a living animal."

So a Noahide is permitted to choose to eat only kosher-certified meat, if he wishes to go "beyond the letter of the law" in the observance of his commanded prohibition against eating meat that was removed from a living land mammal or bird.

I would like to understand how this voluntary restriction could be put into practice considering the following:

1] A gentile is punishable for eating even the slightest amount of an edible part that was taken from a living land mammal or bird.

2] Many general foods that are not labelled 'Kosher' will contain an amount of meat, or derived elements, that could possibly be forbidden as meat from a living land mammal or bird e.g. breads.

3] A Gentile's utensils may retain slight amounts of meat that could possibly be forbidden as meat from a living land mammal or bird.

While a Gentile does not have a prohibition in cases of doubt, if a Gentile relies on this in relation to scenarios 2] & 3] how can they justify not relying on doubt in all cases?

If a Gentile is going to voluntary restrict themselves to eating only kosher-certified meat, and thereby not rely upon doubt, then how could they carve out an exception for scenarios 2] & 3]? Shouldn't the Gentile either rely on doubt in all cases, or be as scrupulous as possible in all cases to avoid the possibility of eating meat from a living land mammal or bird?

Is it because we are still only talking about an entirely voluntary restriction, that the Gentile can be selective to what extent he/she reduces the possibility of eating meat from a living land mammal or bird.

Kindest Regards
Neil
Brisbane, Australia]]> <![CDATA[Avoid eating impure animals?]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=2047 Fri, 31 Mar 2017 13:29:05 +0000 Maximilian]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=2047
Is it alright according to Torah if I avoid to eat "unclean animals" like G'd spoke in Leviticus 11?
Even before Noah was on the Ark G'd spoke about clean and unclean animals, in Genesis 7,2.

I can imagine that trying to avoid these spiritually unclean animals can help to get a better relationship with G'd?

I feel better eating just animals which G'd called clean, is it okay if I do so?

Thank you!]]>
Is it alright according to Torah if I avoid to eat "unclean animals" like G'd spoke in Leviticus 11?
Even before Noah was on the Ark G'd spoke about clean and unclean animals, in Genesis 7,2.

I can imagine that trying to avoid these spiritually unclean animals can help to get a better relationship with G'd?

I feel better eating just animals which G'd called clean, is it okay if I do so?

Thank you!]]> <![CDATA[Eating live creatures (not mammals or birds)]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=2044 Tue, 31 Jan 2017 21:35:57 +0000 philosofer]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=2044 I was watching some video's of eating live octopus, crabs, fish & frogs (yes, an east Asian thing, not at my local British restaurant)

Do these fall under the Noahide law against live animal eating - from what I saw they seem to be permitted as they are neither bird or mammal.]]> I was watching some video's of eating live octopus, crabs, fish & frogs (yes, an east Asian thing, not at my local British restaurant)

Do these fall under the Noahide law against live animal eating - from what I saw they seem to be permitted as they are neither bird or mammal.]]> <![CDATA[Processed foods with animal-based ingredients]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=1984 Thu, 17 Sep 2015 22:19:54 +0000 Shanti]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=1984 Shanti]]> Shanti]]> <![CDATA[Laboratory testing on animals]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=1963 Mon, 12 Jan 2015 02:43:58 +0000 Director Michael]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=1963
Answer: It is not required to refrain from buying such products.

You can however try to influence your government to enact civil laws requiring that product testing with animals be done as humanely as reasonably possible, and only when there is a real need for the sake of the safety and well-being of humans.]]>
Answer: It is not required to refrain from buying such products.

You can however try to influence your government to enact civil laws requiring that product testing with animals be done as humanely as reasonably possible, and only when there is a real need for the sake of the safety and well-being of humans.]]> <![CDATA[Ownerless Animals]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=1937 Thu, 30 Oct 2014 07:10:18 +0000 Johnny]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=1937
If one was feeding stray cats daily due to them relying on one for their sustenance, if after sometime one's landlord warned one not to feed the animals and stated they themselves (the landlord) could be fined by the health department, would it be perfectly fine for one to refrain from feeding the owner-less animals (in this case, the stray cats)?

Would it be perfectly fine to refrain from feeding the animals (and thus it wouldn't be considered cruel) if one was only warned by their landlord but no mention of the health department or anything of that sort was brought up?

Another question I have is, if owner-less animals (whether stray cats or dogs, et cetera) rely on one for their sustenance, would it be pious or unnecessary for a Gentile to go out of his way to feed them if he can barely afford to buy the animals food (due to other expenses the Gentile has)?]]>
If one was feeding stray cats daily due to them relying on one for their sustenance, if after sometime one's landlord warned one not to feed the animals and stated they themselves (the landlord) could be fined by the health department, would it be perfectly fine for one to refrain from feeding the owner-less animals (in this case, the stray cats)?

Would it be perfectly fine to refrain from feeding the animals (and thus it wouldn't be considered cruel) if one was only warned by their landlord but no mention of the health department or anything of that sort was brought up?

Another question I have is, if owner-less animals (whether stray cats or dogs, et cetera) rely on one for their sustenance, would it be pious or unnecessary for a Gentile to go out of his way to feed them if he can barely afford to buy the animals food (due to other expenses the Gentile has)?]]> <![CDATA[Foie Gras - Forced Fattening]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=655 Sat, 12 Nov 2011 14:36:39 +0000 Donny]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=655
Many blessings,
Donny]]>
Many blessings,
Donny]]> <![CDATA["Mountain Oysters" and Lambs' Tails]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=653 Tue, 08 Nov 2011 19:53:26 +0000 Mattityahu ben Noach]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=653 I know that it is forbidden to eat the limb of an animal which was removed while the animal was still alive. It is my understanding Mountain Oysters are removed while the bull is alive, making them forbidden for Gentiles. I would assume they are forbidden for Jews, too, but...
1) Are they kosher for Jews if the animal was dead before they were removed?
2) Are they okay for Gentiles if it can be ascertained with certainty the animal was dead before they were removed?
3) If they are not kosher for Jews but are okay for Gentiles if removed after the animal is dead, would/could a Jewish butcher (I think the word is "shochet") set the body apart for Gentiles to eat? ]]> I know that it is forbidden to eat the limb of an animal which was removed while the animal was still alive. It is my understanding Mountain Oysters are removed while the bull is alive, making them forbidden for Gentiles. I would assume they are forbidden for Jews, too, but...
1) Are they kosher for Jews if the animal was dead before they were removed?
2) Are they okay for Gentiles if it can be ascertained with certainty the animal was dead before they were removed?
3) If they are not kosher for Jews but are okay for Gentiles if removed after the animal is dead, would/could a Jewish butcher (I think the word is "shochet") set the body apart for Gentiles to eat? ]]> <![CDATA[Not mixing diary and meat without a vow to avoid]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=642 Thu, 20 Oct 2011 04:56:18 +0000 Mattityahu ben Noach]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=642 First question: is that is an acceptable practice?
Sometimes, my burger (or whatever) will arrive with cheese. I rarely complain about anything someone has set before me because I am grateful for the food and I do not wish to embarrass them by complaining. The exceptions would be poultry that is undercooked or some other potentially dangerous condition. Egg shells in my omelet? I blow it off. I have been a cook and I know egg shells in the eggs can sometimes happen no matter how careful the cook is (it also means they used real eggs.)
Second question: is it permitted for me to eat the cheeseburger (or whatever), knowing I have no commandment not to and I have made no vow to avoid mixing? (I just TRY to do it to remind myself there is Someone Above Whose opinion I should be mindful of.)]]> First question: is that is an acceptable practice?
Sometimes, my burger (or whatever) will arrive with cheese. I rarely complain about anything someone has set before me because I am grateful for the food and I do not wish to embarrass them by complaining. The exceptions would be poultry that is undercooked or some other potentially dangerous condition. Egg shells in my omelet? I blow it off. I have been a cook and I know egg shells in the eggs can sometimes happen no matter how careful the cook is (it also means they used real eggs.)
Second question: is it permitted for me to eat the cheeseburger (or whatever), knowing I have no commandment not to and I have made no vow to avoid mixing? (I just TRY to do it to remind myself there is Someone Above Whose opinion I should be mindful of.)]]> <![CDATA[Pets and feeding them]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=602 Sat, 18 Jun 2011 20:00:23 +0000 patrick eirenn]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=602 <![CDATA[Insects (in fruit and vegetables)]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=293 Wed, 08 Jul 2009 16:30:00 +0000 sodergard]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=293 And what about insects on frozen/boiled food, they are dead but frozen to death/boiled alive?]]> And what about insects on frozen/boiled food, they are dead but frozen to death/boiled alive?]]> <![CDATA[Raising Kosher Beef, Chicken, etc.]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=258 Mon, 13 Apr 2009 19:00:56 +0000 saidjake]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=258 Thanks for any information,
jake (currently in Alaska but looking at going back home to eastern Kansas)]]> Thanks for any information,
jake (currently in Alaska but looking at going back home to eastern Kansas)]]> <![CDATA[Slaughtering (including Kosher or Halal)]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=130 Wed, 09 Jan 2008 09:26:03 +0000 Kochimodo]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=130 This would mean violation of the commandment no to eat a limb torn from a living animal.
An Islamic butcher first prays to G-d before killing the aninimal.
So I wonder if it is allowed for B'nei Noah to buy meat from an Islamic butcher.]]> This would mean violation of the commandment no to eat a limb torn from a living animal.
An Islamic butcher first prays to G-d before killing the aninimal.
So I wonder if it is allowed for B'nei Noah to buy meat from an Islamic butcher.]]>