Buffalo Burgers and the Zebu Controversy

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zebu-buffaloBy Rabbi Yehuda Spitz

This past Shabbos, many of us read Parshas Shmini, most well-known for being the Parsha that discusses and specifies the requirements needed to discern which animals are considered kosher. For example, fish need to have fins and scales while domestic land animals (beheimos) need to chew their cud (ruminant) and have completely split hooves. Non-domestic land animals (chayos) share the same basic set of rules to be considered kosher, but have slightly differing halachos. Some of the more well known ones include that they do not have the prohibition of eating forbidden fats (cheilev) that a domestic land animal does, but there is a requirement to cover its blood immediately after slaughtering (kisui hadam), similar to a fowl but unlike abeheimah.

Our question is what is a buffalo considered? Can we partake of a nice juicy buffalo burger? Although the Shulchan Aruch himself rules that a buffalo is considered a kosher beheimah, it is quite certain that he was not referring to our American buffalo, which was unknown at the time and is truly a bison, but rather the Asian Water Buffalo. However, even the American buffalo/ bison chews its cud and has split hooves. Surely that should be enough to let us start grilling!

But, if so, why is its meat not more common? And, on an anecdotal level, this author has never seen Buffalo Burgers advertised in Eretz Yisrael in any Mehadrin supermarket, butcher, or even fast food joint! So, as the expression goes, “Where’s the beef?”

The reason for the lack of buffalo meat is based on a cryptic comment of the Shach, where he compares the kashrus status of the chaya to that of fowl.

The Torah enumerates the 24 various non-kosher “birds”. Since so many thousands of bird species exist, the Gemara Chullin (61b) specifies four necessary indicative features (simanim) that identify a specific type as kosher. However, many early authorities contend that we do not rely on our understanding of these simanim and only eat fowl that we have an oral tradition (mesorah) that this specific species is indeed kosher. The Rema rules this way, that one may not eat any species of bird without a mesorah.

The Shulchan Aruch in Yoreh Deah 80, 1, (Laws of a Kosher Chaya) discusses the different type of horns which distinguishes a chaya from abeheimah. The Shach enigmatically comments that “I did not elaborate since nowadays we only use what we received as a mesorah, similar to the laws of kosher fowl”. The basic understanding seems to be that the Shach is implying that just as for a bird to be considered kosher it needs to have amesorah even if it fits all other requirements, so too a chaya would also need to have a mesorah to allow it to be eaten, even though it is technically kosher!

The Pri Megadim, the foremost commentary on the Shach, categorically rejects such a possibility, as it would run counter to the Gemara’s rulingthat identifying features are adequate to determine a chaya’s kashrus status. Additionally, there is no mention of such a requirement in any of the early authorities. He concludes that the Shach meant something else entirely, namely the differences between a beheimah and a chaya. Since the defining distinctions between a beheimah and a chaya are often unclear, one should not eat the cheilev of any species (permissible by a chaya, prohibited by abeheimah) unless we have an oral tradition that said species is indeed a kosher chaya. In other words, the Shach was referring to the need of a mesorahto allow a nuance in halacha, but not in actually identifying a kosher animal. The majority of later authorities agree with the Pri Megadim’s understanding of the Shach’s comment and rule likewise, that mesorah plays no factor in whether or not an animal (domestic or not) may be eaten; the only necessary requirements being that it chews its cud and has split hooves. This would mean that buffalo burgers can be on the menu!

However, before you get that grill fired up, you might want to “Hold Your Horses (er… Buffalo)”. Two major later authorities, the Chochmas Adam and the Aruch Hashulchan both seem to accept the Shach’s words at face value, and not like the Pri Megadim’s interpretation, implying that an oral traditionis needed to allow any land animal to be eaten. In fact, the renowned Chazon Ish ruled this way explicitly in 1950, regarding the importing of the Zebu (“The Indian Humpbacked Cow”) stating that the Chochmas Adam’s interpretation of the Shach’s comment is the correct one! He therefore maintained that any “new” land animal may not be eaten unless there is a mesorah! He added that since the Chochmas Adam was considered in Lithuania (Lita) as the authoritative work on Yoreh Deah, we must follow his ruling relating to this. The Chazon Ish concludes that the only known animals that we eat are “cows, sheep, and goats”. This understanding would obviously not permit the buffalo either.

In fact when the “New Zebu Controversy” broke out several years ago, many wished to have Zebu meat banned, based on the Chazon Ish’s strongly worded ruling.

However, several contemporary authorities pointed out many potential flaws with such an argument, including:

1.                          If the Shach truly meant to qualify the permissibility of eating a chaya, he would have written it in the previous chapter (Y”D 79), which discusses which animals are kosher, and not where he actually commented, where only identifying features were being discussed.

2.                          The Chochmas Adam is not really any clearer in his ruling than the Shach himself; thus allowing his comments to be interpreted like the Pri Megadim’s opinion as well.

3.                          The Chazon Ish himself only restricted an animal that is considered a “new species”; it has since been proven that the Zebu has been eaten and considered kosher for a long time in many different countries.

4.                          Rav Yaakov Kamenetzky has been quoted as maintaining that the Pri Megadim was considered the authoritative work in Lita, and not necessarily the Chochmas Adam.

5.                          Even if we would assume that the Chochmas Adam’s ruling would be binding for those in Lita, it most definitely would not be obligatory to any other communities, who would be free to follow their own halachic authorities.

6.                          The Chochmas Adam himself writes that deer (venison) is permissible, and as mentioned previously, the Shulchan Aruch ruled that Water Buffalo is kosher, proving that the Chazon Ish’s rule of only eating “cows, sheep, and goats”, is not absolute.

7.                          The Chochmas Adam and the Aruch Hashulchan both wrote explicitly that only chaya needs a mesorah, not abeheimah. The Zebu (being a humpbacked cow) however, is considered a beheimah, not a chaya, and therefore should not require an oral tradition.

8.                          The Chazon Ish himself, in a later letter, accepts that the Zebu is technically a kosher animal, but reiterates that we need to have a proper mesorah to permit it to be eaten. Yet, he concludes that “in our times, when Reform is making inroads into authentic Torah Judaism, it is impossible to allow new things to be considered permitted if in the past they were deemed prohibited… as one breach (of tradition) leads to subsequent breaches”. Nowadays, it can be debated that this logic might no longer be applicable.


Due to these rationales, as well as the facts that currently most milk cows in Israel are descended from Zebu, and that many Tefillin and Sifrei Torah are written on parchment made from their hide, and although initially reported otherwise, Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv shlit”a, concluded that these humpbacked cows are essentially permitted.

So, are we going to see Buffalo Burgers or Zebu Zurprize in our local Israeli supermarket any time soon? Probably not. As even though many contemporary authorities rule that there is no real kashrus issue with them and that they may be eaten by even those stringent on the highest levels of kashrus, still several authorities feel that out of respect and in deference to the great Chazon Ish, in Eretz Yisrael, “the land of the Chazon Ish”, it is preferred to abstain from partaking of them. For this reason Buffalo Burgers apparently won’t be found in Israel with a Mehadrin hashgacha, although easily obtainable “in the land where the buffalo roam”.

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This article originally appeared on the Ohr Somayach website: www.ohr.edu.

For any questions, comments or for the full Mareh Mekomos / sources, please email the author:[email protected]

Rabbi Yehuda Spitz serves as the Shaul U’ Meishiv and Rosh Chabura of the Ohr Lagolah Halacha Kollel at Yeshivas Ohr Somayach in Yerushalayim. He also currently writes a contemporary halacha column for the Ohr Somayach website titled “Insights Into Halacha“.  http://ohr.edu/this_week/insights_into_halacha/.


This is true for Chutz La’aretz; in Eretz Yisrael however, Parshas Tazria and Metzora were read. For more on this topic see previous article “Parsha Permutations“.

For more on this topic see earlier article “Fish With Legs?!“.

See Mishna/ Gemara Chullin 83b and 89b.

Shulchan Aruch Y”D 28, 4. The Rema however, is unsure and classifies it as a possible chaya. The difference between these two positions is whether one should cover its blood after slaughter without a bracha.

The Baer HaGolah (ad loc. 9) traces this to the Agur (1099) citing Rav Yeshaya HaAcharon of Italy. This buffalo is also mentioned by Tosafos (Zevachim 113b s.v. orzulaya), the Mordechai (Chullin 653) and the Shach (Y”D 80, 3). In Italy “buffalo” is still used to refer to the Water Buffalo. It would be hard to imagine that these early authorities were referring to the American Bison which was completely unknown at the time of writing their sefarim. See Rabbi Dr. Ari Z. Zivotovsky’s excellent article “Kashrut of Exotic Animals: The Buffalo.

Y”D 82, 3. See Rashi to Chullin 62b s.v. Chazyuha.

For a fascinating discussion of what a unicorn might be considered, see Pri Chadash Y”D 80, 2.

Y”D 80, 1.

Y”D 80 S.D. 1.

Chullin 59b.

Including (ad loc.) the Kreisi U’Pleisi (2), Pischei Teshuva (end 1), Beis Yitzchak (Amudei Zahav 3), Mishmeres Shalom (S.D. 1), Darchei Teshuva (3), and Kaf Hachaim (5).

Chochmas Adam (klal 36, 1), Aruch Hashulchan (Y”D 80, end 10).

Chazon Ish (Y”D 11, 4 & 5), Kovetz Igros (vol. 1, 99), Kovetz Igros (vol. 2, 83). These writings of the Chazon Ish were actually a correspondence between himself and the Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rav Yitzchak Isaac HaLevi Herzog. Rav Herzog wrote a Kuntress on the topic, Kuntress Pnei Shor (printed in his responsae as Shu”t Heichal Yitzchak Y”D vol. 1, 20) concluding that the Zebu is permitted to be eaten. He also maintained that there was amesorah in India and other countries going back centuries that the Zebu was considered a kosher cow. He suggests that anyone who argues that a mesorah is required is possibly violating the Biblical commandment of ba’al toseif. See also Paer HaDor (of the Chazon Ish) vol. 4, ppg. 226 – 230, which summarizes the correspondence.

The Chazon Ish’s nephew, Rav Chaim Kanievsky, follows this as well, telling people who were nichshal in a Bassar B’Chalav matter, to relearn and review the halachos with the Chochmas Adam. See sefer Doleh U’Mashkeh (pg. 258 – 259), Rabbi Yaakov Skoczylas’ Ohel Yaakov (on IV”H, revised edition pg. 222, footnote s.v. v’shamati) and Rabbi Avi Weisenfeld’s Kashrus in the Kitchen Q & A (Teshuvos from HaGra”Ch Kanievsky ppg. 208 – 211).

Including Rav Y. I. Herzog (ibid.), Rav Shmuel HaLevi Wosner (Shu”t Shevet HaLevi vol. 10, 114), Rav Yisroel HaLevi Belsky (Shu”t Shulchan HaLevi vol. 1, Chelek HaBiurim 19), Rav Asher Weiss (Minchas Asher al HaTorah, Shmini, 14), and Rav Shalom Krauss (Shu”t Divrei Shalom vol. 7, 38). Although not all bring the same arguments, nevertheless, each of these authorities cites at least one of these reasons. See also Kovetz HaMaayan (Teves 5768, vol. 48, 2, ppg. 16 – 18) in the article by Rabbi Dr. Ari Z. Zivotovsky.

See for example, the Beis Yitzchak (ibid.) and Kaf Hachaim (ibid.), who learn their opinions this way as basic understanding.

See Shu”t Meishiv Davar (Y”D 22), although referring to the turkey, nonetheless, the Netziv permits it to be eaten on this basis, that it has been eaten for a long time and is considered a mesorah. For more on the topic of turkey, see Shu”t Shoel U’Meishiv (fifth Mahadura, vol. 1, 69), Shu”t Divrei Chaim (Y”D vol. 2, 45 -48), Shu”t Maharam Shick (Y”D 98 – 100), Shu”t HaElef L’cha Shlomo (Y”D 111), Shu”t Tzemach Tzedek (Y”D 60), Shu”t Binyan Tzion (Vol. 1, 42), Shu”t Dvar Halacha (53), and Darchei Teshuva (82, 26).

Shu”t Shulchan HaLevi (ibid., pg. 282, s.v. v’yoser).

Printed in Pa’er Hador ibid, ppg. 228 – 230.

It is worthwhile to note that another of the issues the Chazon Ish prohibits for the same reason is slaughtering meat in another country and importing it to Eretz Yisrael. This author is not entirely sure why that proviso is widely ignored (as even the most Mehudar B’datzim do shchita in foreign countries), but the Zebu issue erupted in renewed controversy, even as both are part and parcel of the same letter the great Chazon Ish wrote!

See Yeshurun vol. 22 pg. 934 s.v. uv”g, Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff’s “Anyone For a Giraffe Burger?” and Halachic World vol. 2 pg. 162, “Bison Blues”.

See Shu”t Shulchan HaLevi ibid, pg. 284, 2, and Minchas Asher ibid, pg. 82, s.v. hinei.

Shu”t Shevet HaLevi ibid, Minchas Asher ibid quoting Rav Elyashiv.

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19 COMMENTS

  1. Ye’yasher kochakha, R. Spitz.

    See also R. J. David Bleich’s Contemporary Halakhic Problems Vol. 5 (Targum Press, 2005), pp. 248-264, for a survey of this question. Erekh ha-Shulchan (Yoreh De’ah 11:4-5) is cited there as agreeing with the stringent approach to Shakh professed by Chokhmat Adam, Arukh ha-Shulchan and Chazon Ish. Regarding R. Eliashiv’s position, R. Bleich writes (p. 260) “based upon a variety of considerations, he ruled that meat already on the market might be consumed but that no future slaughter of animals from the herds in question be undertaken pending clarification of the matter.” [It may well be, however, that R. Eliashiv’s ruling quoted by R. Spitz was issued after R. Bleich’s book was already published.]

  2. to # 3 – look in the last two footnote: the author quotes what rav elyashiv originally wrote but later when the issue was clarified essentially permitted it – See Shu”t Shulchan HaLevi ibid, pg. 284, 2, and Minchas Asher ibid, pg. 82, s.v. hinei. that seems to be the author’s intent
    [it might be worthwhile to see original to know where the footnotes go!]

  3. I’ve eaten glatt kosher bison meat, as well as venison. The former is rather tough compared to cow meat; the latter is very tender and delicious.

    Kadesh atzmecha b’mutar lach.

  4. Sorry, but almost ALL cows in America and South America are interbred with the zebu for hardiness. In fact, in South America, the cows have a higher percentage of zebu than in North America. So if you’re in Eretz Yisroel, your meat is zebu or zebu hybrid. If you want to avoid zebu, don’t eat meat.

  5. A) I’m wondering if given the author’s various positions lechumra whether he eats turkey
    B) perhaps the author should have included a discussion as to giraffe (common misconception is that we don’t know where to cut, thats what we tell the little kids in Cheder but grow ups should really know better )

  6. Also could the author comment on the non-cow bovine that is thee source of much of the Argentinian beef brought into Israel? (albeit some times mated with cows)

  7. to thinking outload,
    where did you see that? the author comes out to be meikel not machmir!
    also i think i saw turkey addressed in one of those nonnumbered footnotes! [i still think it might be worthwhile to see the original article to know where the footnotes go!]

    also unless i am mistaken -those bovines are the zebu! – that was the whole point the author addressed! [and quite well i might add!]

  8. I’ve eaten bison and found it very good if cooked the right way. It’s also good for people who need to cut out cholesterol, since it has much less fat than beef. However, the bison raised on ranches has been interbred with cattle, so it’s not the “pure” bison you see in the tourist brochures.

    Let’s not go hunting chumrahs. We have plenty of l’maaseh problems to deal with. The more we worry about chumrahs the less energy we have for real problems, and the more risk we run of turning young people off because all we show them is the rules, not the hashkafah or the brenn.

  9. Dear Rabbi Y Spitz,

    You enlighten us once again with amazing tidbits of torah. Thank you so much for such a wonderful article!

    Good shabbos! Regards to your brother in law

  10. Thank You for writing such an interesting and comprehensive article. The sources listed will keep me busy till next year.
    Please could you enlighten us on the giraffe issue. If its just the mesorah issue it would seem according to some opinions in this article that giraffe would be kosher!!! (or is there another catch?)

  11. to # 3 – that erekh hashulchan you quoted does not exist – it must be a mistake in the book you quoted! check it up yourself.
    gr8 article btw matzav! gonna find me some buffaloooo

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