Expert: Ovadiah ben Avraham - 10/25/2006

Question
Hello-

I'm wondering what Judaism says about this..

  "Q- Lev 17:10  says...
 "And whatsoever man [there be] of the house of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among you, that eateth any manner of blood; I will even set my face against that soul that eateth blood, and will cut him off from among his people"


 I understand this passage to refer to the "eating" of meat...but what about a person who may receive a blood transfusion...the blood enters within the blood system regardless....would this also be a violation?   And the stranger and the sojourner noted in the passage, who are they?


Answer
Roni,
Thank you for your question. I have commented on this subject before, so you may want to look up my "Use of Blood" discussion with another of your brethren.

Suffice it to say here that eating is an active and specifically defined verb. Receiving is a passive verb and has an entirely different meaning. With no disrespect intended, we believe your church fathers misinterpreted the verse and, at least partially, built a religion upon it. Human life is very important in Judaism and aside from murder, unlawful sexual unions and idolatry, everything possible must be done to save a life. As an aside, I personally find it interesting that JW's do not salt or soak their meat or even necessarily cook it thoroughly (so they may indeed eat blood), yet are so stringent about transfusions.

The stranger, in this context, is the convert to Judaism.

Hope this helps! Shalom!