Project Genesis




Mitzvos (Commandments)

Kosher Food

Mother’s Milk and Kosher Laws

Question: I am a lactation consultant, and a client of mine had extreme complications in childbirth last night. She may not be able to nurse her baby, at least not right away. The family is exploring alternatives to nursing. Now, the family will only consume milk that is produced under the strict supervision of an observant Jew (Cholov Yisroel). The father thinks that they could only use donor milk from a Jewish woman who keeps Kosher. Is this true? The problem is that the certified breast milk banks in the US do not have milk so designated. This family also has a high prevalence to allergy problems, so mother’s milk has an important advantage over cow milk or soy formula. What should this family do?

Answer: Thank you for your question. There are actually a number of issues involved here, but it seems that time is of essence regarding this question, so I will be as concise as possible.

There are really two issues involved here. On the practical level, there is a Kosher issue. Cholov Yisroel has no bearing on the question, as this is a Rabbinic injunction on milk derived from kosher animals, not on mother’s milk. Additionally we don’t find (other than the story of Moses – which I’ll mention soon) that there is a prohibition to drink milk from a non-Jew. Milk is a separate entity in itself, which is permitted by the Torah when coming from a human female, whether Jewish or non-Jewish. It can be compared to honey which is not considered non-kosher, even though it’s coming from a non-Kosher insect, the bee.

However, on a more esoteric level, our Rabbis tell us that what a person eats affects his soul. We know that the quality of a mother’s milk is influenced by what she eats; therefore it follows that if she ingested non-Kosher food, traces of that would come into the milk. Therefore, although in terms of Jewish law there is nothing wrong with giving the baby donor-milk from a breast milk bank, if it would be convenient, and there would be a donor available who keeps Kosher who would be happy to pump some milk for the baby (e.g. a sister or close friend), this would be preferable.

In the case that you are describing, since the doctor or family feels that there may be a problem with formula, if all that is available is donor milk from the breast milk bank, this should be used rather than expose the baby to the potential negative reaction to the formula.

Take care!

Rabbi Aaron Tendler

[Editor – The answer given was based on the information presented. Should this question have practical relevance for a reader, s/he is strongly encouraged to discuss the matter with a competent expert in Jewish law, with consultation of a qualified physician.]

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