Gid Ha’nasheh: Relevant Animals

Q. From which animals is it forbidden to eat the gid ha’nasheh?

A. Shulchan Aruch (YD 65:5) writes that the prohibition of eating the gid ha’nasheh applies to domestic animals (cows, sheep, goats) and wild animals (e.g., deer). It applies equally in both the right and left leg. However, it does not apply to birds, because the meat on the thigh of a bird is generally not rounded, and the Torah (Bereishis 32:33) describes the location of the gid ha’nasheh as being on the rounded part of the thigh (kaf ha’yarech).

The Gemara (Chullin 92b) is uncertain whether or not the prohibition of gid ha’nasheh applies to an animal that does not have a rounded thigh. Since in general most animals have a rounded thigh, perhaps all animals are included in the prohibition of gid ha’nasheh. Whenever there is an uncertainty about a Torah prohibition (safek diorsysa), we rule lichumra (we are strict).

The Prisha (YD 65:12) notes that some birds have rounded thighs. Why is this not a matter of concern? The Kenesses Hagedolah (Tur 65:9) answers that since the gid ha’nasheh of most birds are not rounded, we are not obligated to investigate further.

______________________________________________________

The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt"l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.