Sechora - Non-Kosher Food

QUESTION: Is one permitted to do business with (i.e. buy and sell) non-kosher food?

ANSWER: The Mishnah (Sheviis 7:4) writes that Jewish hunters, who happen to catch non-kosher fish or animals, may sell them [to non-Jews]. The obvious implication is that this is only permitted if it happened by chance, but one may not set up their business to intentionally trade with non-kosher food. The Gemara (Pesachim 23a) writes that this prohibition is derived from the verse “Sheketz Hu” (It shall be detestable) [Vayikra 11:41]. The Gemara explains the term “it shall be detestable”, which refers to non-kosher foods, to mean that one must also avoid doing business with them.

The Aruch Hashulchan (YD 117:20) writes that the position of most Rishonim is that this is in fact a Biblical prohibition. However, there are many Rishonim that hold it is a Rabbinic prohibition. Either way, Shulchan Aruch (YD 117:1) rules that there is a prohibition to buy and sell non-kosher foods such as meat, fish and chicken. However, foods that are only forbidden by Rabbinic decree, such as Gevinas Akum (non-kosher cheese), or Bishul Akum (foods cooked without Jewish involvement) are not included in this prohibition.

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The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt"l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.