Eating Prohibited Meat has Consequences.
Divine Code for October 26, 2022
Today: Page 251
Topic 3:1 -- 3:2
Genesis 9:4 "But flesh with its soul, its blood, thou shalt not eat".
As long as the soul of the animal is in it, that is, as long as the animal is alive, and someone knowingly eats from it, - think, for example, of eating "mountain oysters" - then that is a capital sin. This person will be punished by the hand of Heaven and should receive punishment from a Beit Din.
The exception to this rule is when an animal is mortally wounded (e.g. when a Noahide slaughters an animal), then while it is still in its death throes (i.e. convulsions), and if meat was cut from the animal during that time, it is forbidden (i.e. it is a sin) for a Noahide to eat that meat before the animal dies, but it is not a capital sin. Thies meat (or organ) is forbidden to be eaten forever.
If meat is taken from a living animal, but one eats from it after the animal dies, that is also a sin and the person deserves punishment.
The one who cuts from a living animal is punishable to "tza'ar ba'alei chayim". Meaning thet the person is causing unnecessary pain or suffering to the animal. (See Part IV, chapter 7).
A society has the option of instituting civil punishment for the above sins (e.g. through a fine or community service), but is not obliged to do so. But people should at least be taught and warned not to commit that sin.
Reading schedule the Divine Code
Yesterday: Topic 2:9 - 2:12
Tomorrow: Topic 3:3 - 3:4
Brought By Angelique Sijbolts
Angelique Sijbolts is one of the main writers for the Noahide Academy. She has been an observant Noahide for many years. She studies Torah with Rabbi Perets every week. Angelique invests much of her time in editing video-lectures for the Rabbis of the Academy and contributes in administrating the Academy's website in English and Dutch. She lives in the north of the Netherlands. Married and mother of two sons. She works as a teacher in a school with students with special needs. And is a Hebrew Teacher for the levels beginners and intermediate. She likes to walk, to read and play the piano.
Sources
The Divine Code 4e edition by rabbi Moshe Weiner
With thanks to dr. Michael Schulman
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