2,284. Human Meat

Maachalos Assuros 2:3

As far as humans, even though Genesis 2:7 tells us that “the man became a beast with a living soul” (understood here as “an animal soul”), man isn’t a hooved animal, so he isn’t included in the prohibition against eating non-kosher animals. Therefore, one who eats human meat or fat, whether from a living or deceased person, is not liable to lashes. It is nevertheless prohibited based on a positive mitzvah. Leviticus 11:2 lists the seven types of kosher wild animals and says, “These are the beasts from which you may eat,” from which we see that that any other species may not be eaten. A prohibition inferred from an obligation is considered a positive mitzvah.

Maachalos Assuros 2:4

If one eats an olive-sized piece of a non-kosher bird, he is liable for lashes under Biblical law as per Leviticus 11:13, “These you shall avoid from the birds; you may not eat them.” One also violates a positive mitzvah as per Deuteronomy 14:11, “You may eat all kosher birds,” from which we see that non-kosher birds may not be eaten. One who eats an olive-sized piece of a non-kosher fish is liable to lashes under Biblical law as per Leviticus 11:11, “They are detestable to you; do not eat their meat.” One also violates a positive mitzvah as per Deuteronomy 14:9, “All that has fins and scales, that you may eat,” from which we see that those without fins and scales may not be eaten. We see that anyone who eats a non-kosher fish, domesticated or wild animal, or bird neglects a positive mitzvah and violates a negative mitzvah.