A Project Genesis website

JewishAnswers.org

Ask the Rabbi: answers from Project Genesis rabbis

Cannibalism

Question

Does the Torah forbid cannibalism?

Answer

The prohibition of cannibalism is implied by Deut.14:4-5. We can conclude from Gen.9:3 (see Gen.7:21) that cannibalism is also forbidden to Noahides. The Talmud (Chulin 92b) says that non-Jews accepted on themselves not to sell human flesh in meat markets.