Do I Say a Blessing on Non-Kosher Food?

Question:

Is it improper and hypocritical to recite a blessing on non-kosher food? I'm starting to become more observant of the Torah laws, but I'm not yet at the stage of keeping 100% kosher. What do you advise?

Answer:

First of all, may I commend you for your desire to keep growing in your Judaism and spirituality. Our sages tell us (Ethics of the Fathers 4:2) "A mitzvah brings another mitzvah." Doing mitzvot puts one in a "positive cycle," where one mitzvah leads to another. So, generally speaking, "all or nothing" is definitely not a Jewish mentality… and the fact that you are not yet observing one mitzvah is not a reason not to do another. And starting slowly and moving upwards steadily but sincerely in one's observance is certainly not hypocrisy! (See also I'd feel hypocritical wearing a Kippah full-time...)

But as it happens, this particular case is an exception to the abovementioned rule—allow me to explain:

What exactly is the purpose of making a blessing on food? With the blessing we are acknowledging G‑d, the Creator of the food, and thanking Him for providing it for us. So it is a mockery to bless and thank G‑d for the un-kosher food that one is eating—in opposition to His will.1

If, however, you unintentionally or accidentally ate nonkosher food, according to many opinions, you should make an after-blessing. 2

Additionally, if non-kosher food was eaten to stave off life-threatening danger, all agree that blessings are said before and after. This is because, in this instance, eating this food is a mitzvah.3

Footnotes

Shulchan Aruch, Orech Chaim 196:1; Shulchan Aruch Harav, ibid.

See Taz, Orech Chaim, 196:1; Shulchan Aruch Harav, Orech Chaim 196:1; Mishnah Berura 196:4.

Shulchan Aruch, Orech Chaim 196:2; Shulchan Aruch Harav, Orech Chaim 196:5.

By Chaya Sarah Silberberg

Chaya Sarah Silberberg serves as the rebbetzin of the Bais Chabad Torah Center in West Bloomfield, Michigan, since 1975. She also counsels, lectures, writes, and responds for Chabad.org’s Ask the Rabbi service.

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51 Comments

Vicki Stone Portland August 11, 2023

in my journey towards Baal Tshuvah, 30 yrs ago, I asked our rabbi if I should do a blessing at Burger King Reply

Caleb Cincinnati June 2, 2023

Genuinely, I don't think this is a fair reasoning. What if a man is in prison and unable to control his own diet? Should he not still bless G-d for his food? In a similar vein, what about young converts who are in a household they're unable to kasher? Why would it be an affront to still show gratitude? Speaking as a convert who does keep kosher, kashering a kitchen is an expensive and fairly long process to get right if you're starting from scratch. This feels less like "avoiding affronts" and more like looking down on people who didn't have the advantage of starting into orthodoxy from birth. Pardon the pun considering the subject, but it leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Reply

Eliezer Zalmanov for Chabad.org June 7, 2023

in response to Caleb:

The main issue with reciting blessings for non-kosher food is that it might be mistaken for being kosher. This would apply in all situations, including those you mentioned. Reply

David Bali August 30, 2020

Certain types of of food are absolutely forbidden: pork, shellfish, muscles, oysteres(all crustaceans), fish without gill-fins and/or without scales, any animal with a cloven hove... there are too many to list.

Such animals should never be eaten; however, in case of survival, when there are no other possibilities and the is no other food available in such a case you should recognise that being forced to eat such things is a type of spirtual reprimand, calling one to t'shuva. When the blessing for life to continue living is provided through unkosher species and one eats out of necessity "for life", then one is obligated to praise the "Master of All Works" by giving thanks to the Eternal King - Hashem. This will transform the curse of having to eat the prohibited food as a means of survival, into a blessing so you can do t'shuva. Reply

David Chester Petach Tikva, Israel February 14, 2019

I am reminded about the story about the man who phoned an orthodox rabbi and asked for him to tell the blessing for pork! The rabbi did not answer and slammed down the receiver.
When this man then phoned a reform rabbi with this question, the rabbi responded "what is pork?"
On finally phoning a liberal communities rabbi the response was "what is a blessing?" Reply

Eleonora NY February 13, 2019

Chaya, what a remarkable response. Thank you for the insight Reply

David Chester Petach Tikva, Israel November 23, 2015

Attitude to Non-kosher Food To Chaya Sarah Silberberg, Michigan--I don't know why you cannot accept the fact that although the food may not be kosher, it is still the result of a Heavenly creative force, and that we should remember this when we recite our blessings for receiving it? Our forefathers (and fore-mothers) have been killed in their refusing non-kosher food when under terrible duress, but that is not the situation with us today and our attitude should be one of tolerance not strictness. Reply

Chaya Sarah Silberberg Michigan November 18, 2015

It requires extraordinarily twisted reasoning to claim that an action that directly contravene's G-d's clearly expressed will allows us to be "participants in G-d's works and recognize his power," and shows our "our acknowledgement of G-d." Reply

David Chester Petach Tikvah, Israel November 17, 2015

There should be deeper examination of what a pronounced blessing is. In the Tanakh fathers bless their sons. These patriarchs had Divine means for passing a part of G-d's benevolence on to at least one child, but today this does not apply. We do not read in the Tanakh of blessings addressed directly for G-d. But today we choose blessings for other purposes.

To bless G-d for providing a particular thing is a confusion because G-d has such greatness that there is no need for more, He is already blessed to the maximum! Those who claim that the pronounced blessing is a "thank you" message, seem unaware that the "brechat hamazon" after the meal are adequate here. So the blessings for food preceding our meals are actually reflections in ourselves as being participants in G-d's works and recognize his power.

When we take this attitude, it allows us to make a blessing on non-kosher food, since we are showing our acknowledgement of G-d in all manner of things, both the good and the bad. Reply

Suri Katz Toms River August 24, 2022

in response to David Chester:

why would you choose to eat non kosher foods? G-d expressly Commands us not to do so. Do you really feel that its proper to bless Him while youre rebelling against His Mitzvah? Reply

David Harold Chester Petach Tikva, Israel June 9, 2023

in response to Suri Katz:

Suri, You are assuming that I do eat non-kosher food as a matter of choice. I do not choose to eat non-kosher food, and I hardly ever do so, except when I am without having the knowledge of its status.
Since the orthodox belief in thanking G-d for the bad as well as the good happenings, it is logical (although less close to what you claim as the original mitzvah), to thank him too, for this bad occasion. I would be a rebel if I did not thank Him at all!
The logic of this is like the answer to the opposite of love. It is not hate, but neglect. Reply

Natan Ha Goy Seattle, WA November 16, 2015

Re: It's a nice idea Dear holy Viktor,

This possible quote from the Rebbe is perplexing. Eating is one of the most animalistic things we do. In fact, one of the debates between Beit Hillel and Beit Shammai is over just this issue--whether eating feeds the yitzer ha'ra (the animal, evil inclination) or the yitzer ha'tov (the spiritual, good inclination). Beit Shammai held that it feeds the animal nature, except on Shabbat. Beit Hillel (and thence the sages) hold that the eating on Shabbat can elevate eating the entire week, making every meal an act of holiness.

Thinking back to the idea that "a mitzvah leads to a mitzvah and a sin leads to a sin", one might be led to ask if there was a sin that led to all sins. I dare to mention the sin of Adam HaRishon. His sin? Violating kashrut.

The laws of kashrut apply to everyone (even gentiles!), everywhere, and at all times. (And even change!) Adhering to them requires planning and costs money. Perhaps this is not such a strange saying after all. Reply

Karen NYC September 19, 2024

in response to Natan Ha Goy:

The laws of kashrut do not "apply to everyone (even gentiles!)." The laws of kashrut were given to the Children of Israel. If gentiles wish to adhere to our dietary laws, there's nothing stopping them from doing so; however, the laws don't apply to them. Reply

Anonymous Long Island, NY November 16, 2015

Why would any Jew who says a blessing over food before eating, eat what is considered to be non-kosher to begin with? Reply

Yehuda Shurpin for chabad.org November 16, 2015

Re: It's a nice idea Although I don't know where that supposed quote from the Rebbe comes from, it is true that 2000 years ago they didn't necessarily have certifying Kashrut organizations. They also didn't have any supermarkets or processed foods. Today too, there are many things that you don't need any certification for, however, at the same time there are many products, especially processed foods that you have no idea how it was made or what is really inside of it. And you would need to rely on certification to be sure it was Kosher. Reply

Viktor San Francisco, CA November 10, 2015

It's a nice idea I respect and value the thought of the article, but respectfully disagree. It is a nice thought, and creates a path towards elevating a mitzvah. The problem is that there is no reference to how this is actually breaking hallacha. It seems like this is mostly something that is taught as a custom that is taught in orthodox education.

In reality, the master and creator of the universe puts us in very unique situations of all kinds of observancy. The Rebbe is quoted to have said, that the path to "Judaism should begin with food." I always thought that was a perplexed thought; to focus on food as opposed to going to synagogue, or studying Torah, etc... what elevates the food is the conscious thanks that we make for the energy that our creator gives and sustains us. Do you think Jews 2,000 years ran around buying hectured-products? No, it's known that they didn't. What is known is that they said the brachas. Reply

Chaya Sarah Silberberg Michigan April 8, 2015

Dear Deborah,

You can say a blessing over such a salad. However, there are a number of problems with eating in a non-kosher restaurant, even if you order just a salad.

1) Since insects are not kosher, and frequently bugs attach themselves to leafy vegetables like lettuce, broccoli, etc., ordering a salad would be a kosher problem.

2) Salad dressings may be non-kosher.

3) The knives, cutting boards, dishes, utensils and countertops used in preparing your salad may have residue of non-kosher ingredients.

3) We have a responsibility to avoid creating a situation where others may draw the wrong conclusion ("marit ayin"). If you are sitting at a table in a non-kosher restaurant. a passerby might see you and think that the restaurant is really kosher and it's okay to eat there. Or he might think that since you (who keep kosher) are lax in observance, then somehow it's okay for him, too.

So it's best not to eat salad in a non-kosher restaurant... Reply

Deborah Talsky April 8, 2015

Very helpful! Is salad that has not been washed 3 times not considered Kosher?
When at work and offered lunch with coworkers and choose salad - is this not appropriate to say Blessing? Reply

Nathan Ha Goy Austin, TX, USA April 3, 2013

Blessing Non-kosher Food Dear holy Mr. Flinkstein:

Jews in the entire world, including America, (as well as many Gentiles) are and remain acutely aware of the sanctification of the Name that was brought through the faithfulness of the Six Million of the Shoah. The question here was about one who continues to chose non-Kosher food when other options (including vegetarian or even skipping a meal) remain ready options. When someone knowingly and willingly violates Hashem's declared will, then reciting a blessing is a mockery.

The imprisoned who cannot prevail on his captors for kosher food, the ill who cannot procure a kosher remedy, and the famished who can only find non-kosher are required to eat, as life is more important than kashrut. There is a blessing for this circumstance, but in the hands of one who is not whole-hearted, it is likely to be abused. Given the question which was asked, it was important to avoid this faux "easy out". Reply

C S Silberberg West Bloomfield, MI December 27, 2012

Dear Sir,

Which Shulchan Aruch are you referring to?

Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim, 186 Seif 1 states as follows:

"Women are obligated to say the Grace After Meals. It is a question whether they are obligated d'Oraisa, and can be motzi men, or whether they are only obligated d'Rabbonon and may only be motzi someone whose obligation is also d'Rabbonon."

There is no discussion here whatsoever about reciting a blessing un non-kosher food.

You might want to check your facts... Reply

Flinkstein london, UK October 13, 2012

Blessiing non-kosher food It is obvious that American Jews do not know what some European Jews, such as for example the Patriotic Jews who were put in concentration camps instead of the gas chamber, had to eat in the German concentration in order not to starve.. Reply

Alan Habbaz Staten Island, NY February 9, 2012

Dear Hashem, help me not eat this unkosher morsel of what you deem not kosher. If I cannot control my desires this time help me do better next time and increase my wisdom to do your will better and better each and every moment, day, week, month and year. Reply

Anonymous October 21, 2010

cruelty to animals / halacha actually, it is against halacha to be cruel to animals... but these halachot are in effect for any animal, whether it is destined to be eaten or not, independent of whether or not the meat of the animal in the end is deemed kosher. Reply

Rochel Leah Natick, MA, USA October 21, 2010

Blessing over non-kosher food? What a lovely group of comment writers!

Barbara Niles, AZ, you are right on target about small doses. Please don't feel you have to adopt Jewish laws as soon as you read about them. Ideas slowly take root in my mind and after a long while I feel I am ready for another step in observance. Each person has their own journey to make through life.

Not supporting cruel parts of the food industry is very Jewish; but not a part of Halachah (Jewish law). I no longer eat veal or lamb because of the cruelty with which they're raised; but they are still kosher according to our ancient laws.

A Jew who is new to making a blessing over food and is not completely kosher yet, could begin by making a brocha over an apple or a slice of bread which has a kosher symbol on the packaging. It supports your efforts to keep kosher. When you take the step of making your oven and pots and pans and knives kosher, then your cooked vegetables, fruits, eggs and fish will be kosher, too! Reply

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