“You shall not eat any blood.” Maimonides (1135–1204) maintains that blood is prohibited because, in ancient times, it was associated with idolatry: “Although blood was considered impure by various sects, they still consumed it, believing it to be food for demons. By eating it, they came into contact with impure spirits that foretold the future.”
Although no one naturally craves blood, after slaughter it was collected in bowls or pits, and people would eat the meat beside it. Thus, as if sitting “at the table” with demons (shedim), they believed this shared “feast” enabled contact with spirits (Moreh Nevuchim 3:46).
These practices were widespread, and no one doubted their effectiveness. The Torah treats those who consume blood almost the same way it addresses the idolatry of Molech, with its child sacrifices: “I will set My face against that person.” In this way, consuming blood and idolatry are equated. In the Temple, however, blood דווקא had a purifying and atoning effect for our souls (neshamot).
Consumption and Atonement (Kapparah)
Nachmanides (13th century) follows the literal meaning of the verse: “for the soul of all flesh is in its blood.” That is, the soul of the flesh resides in the blood. Later, the Torah commands us to be firm in not consuming blood, for “the blood is the soul, and you shall not eat the soul together with the flesh.”
Although the entire world was created for humanity—as the only being that recognizes the Creator—originally only plant-based foods were permitted: “Behold, I have given you every herb yielding seed and every fruit-bearing tree” (Genesis).
But after the Flood, when all animals were saved through the merit of Noah, God permitted their slaughter. From then on, animal life came to serve humanity. The animal’s body was given for human consumption, while its soul would serve for atonement (kapparah) on the altar. Therefore, the soul (the blood) may not be consumed.
“You Are What You Eat”
Bahya ibn Paquda (11th century) states that animal blood is designated for the altar. Moreover, the animal’s soul is in some way bound to the blood. The natural instincts of animals are connected to it, and therefore it is forbidden to mix animal blood with our own: “you are what you eat.”
If we were to consume animal blood, we would absorb some of those traits—such as brutality and coarseness—into our personality.
Restraining Cruelty
Others explain the prohibition as an attempt to restrain cruelty. A deeper analysis suggests that although humans were given dominion over animals, it was not intended that they completely dominate and control the animal kingdom.
Isaac Abarbanel (15th century) states that blood distributes the soul throughout the body. The phrase “for the soul of the flesh is in the blood” also refers to the human soul. Our soul is in the blood, and therefore our correction (tikkun) is also connected to it.
Furthermore, Abarbanel explains that mixing animal blood with human blood results in coarseness and cruelty. Since we have a higher spiritual calling, it is not fitting for us to consume such blood. One could also say that in animals, blood is essentially their entire vital essence; eating meat with blood is as if consuming the entire animal.
Blood as a Symbol of the Divine Element
David Zvi Hoffmann (19th century) views the prohibition as an expression of reverence for God. Blood symbolizes the spirit—the divine element within the human being.
This prohibition is also connected to the ban on slaughtering animals outside the Temple context (as offerings). Killing an animal unnecessarily can be seen as a disguised form of murder.
Separating Human and Animal Blood
Isaac Breuer (20th century) offers a different analysis. Blood is the active element in physical life. Many people tend to equate human blood with animal blood—but this is a fundamental mistake.
The strict prohibition of blood דווקא serves to distinguish between the animalistic desires within humans and the animal nature itself. Eating is, naturally, a physical act—but precisely at that moment we must strengthen ourselves not to “eat the soul together with the flesh.”
We must resist the materialism that claims that our entire being is merely earthly.
