Why is Honey Kosher?

The Talmud (Bechoros 5b) postulates, “What emanates from non-kosher is non-kosher.” (For example, camel milk is not kosher.) If so, why is honey kosher? After all, honey emanates from non-kosher bees.

The Gemara (Bechoros 7b) cites two opinions as to why bee’s honey is permitted.  The Chachamim explain that honey is permitted because it is not a secretion. Rather, honey is the collected nectar in a different form, which is expelled from the bee.  Rebbi Yaakov says that the permissibility of bee’s honey is derived from a Talmudic exegesis of the verse in Vayikra (11:21):  “However, this you may eat from among all the flying insects…”

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.