25 May 2011

While Kashrut predates the germ theory of disease certain rules appear to protect human health. Prohibitions on consuming carrion eaters (Leviticus 11:31) or the use of bowls and vessels in which animals have died (Leviticus 11:31–32) can be seen as preventing disease. Likewise, rules for processing meat, such as glatt, the requirement that lungs be checked to be free of adhesions, would help prevent consumption of animals that had been infected with tuberculosis. Similarly, the ban on slaughtering unconscious animals would prevent certain sick and possibly infectious animals from being consumed. The prohibition against eating pigs (Leviticus 11:3–8) is the preponderance of parasites (e.g., worms) in pigs.