Eternal Divides: The Immutable Nature of Kashrut Standards
The laws of kashrut remain a striking example of how religious canons can maintain their relevance despite all the changes in the world around us. At the heart of kashrut lies the idea of unchanging, divinely established characteristics that determine which animals can be considered “clean.” These traits are inherently embedded in nature, and regardless of evolutionary processes, they remain inviolable within the framework of religious tradition.In our dynamic modern life it is easy to get carried away by the notion of constant development and change, yet kashrut reminds us of the fundamental principles that withstand the passage of time. According to Jewish law, animals must possess an innate “cleanliness” – a quality defined by their very physical attributes rather than one that is developed over time. Thus, the division between clean and unclean remains fixed, emphasizing the depth and stability of religious norms.In conclusion, one can confidently say that despite all technological and biological breakthroughs, the foundations of kashrut remain eternal. This principle not only underscores a belief in the divine but also reminds us of the value of enduring traditions that inspire the quest for permanence in a constantly changing world.
Can we expect that over time all animals will meet the kosher requirements in Judaism?Based on the established norms of kashrut, it should not be expected that over time all animals will meet kosher requirements. According to Jewish law, the properties of an animal are determined by its innate physical characteristics, and these traits do not change over time. As stated directly in one of the sources:"Kosher for Jews — food, clothing, and objects of worship, ritually fit for use from the perspective of Halakha (the normative component of Judaism). The prescripts of kashrut concerning the permissibility of food relate to animal products, their methods of preparation, and the rules of consumption. Only 'clean' (tahor) animals, birds, and fish (see: Lev. 11: 2–47) are allowed. All 'unclean' (lo tahor) animals, birds, and fish, and everything obtained from them (milk, eggs) are forbidden for consumption..." (source: link txt, pages 1860-1863)This excerpt clearly indicates that only those animals that inherently possess the specific qualities of cleanliness as dictated by sacred mandates are deemed kosher. Since these attributes are not the result of evolutionary changes but are divinely assigned, it is not feasible to expect that all animals will eventually meet these requirements.Thus, according to these sources, the laws of kashrut establish an immutable division of animals into clean and unclean categories, a system that remains unaffected by changes over time.