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From: mmc@gummo.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.religion.jewish
Subject: Re: Re: Kosher Meals -- meat and fish to - (nf)
Message-ID: <988@gummo.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 24-Feb-84 10:55:13 EST
Article-I.D.: gummo.988
Posted: Fri Feb 24 10:55:13 1984
Date-Received: Sat, 25-Feb-84 04:22:06 EST
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#R:pegasus:-98100:gummo:67600001:000:1091
gummo!mmc    Feb 24 10:55:00 1984

I was told (no authority cited, so this constitutes semi-informed
hearsay) that the prohibition on eating fish with meat is a Rabbinical
ordinance, based on a contemporary belief that the combination was
unhealthful.

Speaking from a somewhat traditional though non-Orthodox position, and
given that (1) my recollection is accurate and (2) that the basis of
the prohibition of eating fish with meat is as it was described to me,
I do not see a basis for this regulation today other than the argument
that our observance must follow the pattern set by our ancestors.

It might be interesting for our group to discuss the following general
question in the philosophy oh Halachah (Jewish religious law):

	Given a Rabbinical ordinance explicitly based on information
	available when that ordinance was promulgated, and given
	information available to us now which significantly alters our
	understanding of the basis of the ordinance, what should our
	attitude as Jews be toward the original ordinance?

I address this question to all interested parties.

	Mark Chodrow	{zeppo,harpo,gummo}!mmc