[Avodah] timtum halev

[David Riceman]

Me:
>> I don't think that these rishonim thought it was a metaphysical
>> issue, I think they thought that non-kosher food is physically
>> different and produces milk which is physically different ...
>>     
> RAM:
> But I don't understand why would anyone think that there is a physical difference between a cow that was shechted with a smooth knife, and one that was shechted with a dented knife, or had its head hacked off in some other manner.
> <snip>
> Can you elaborate on why you think that those rishonim "thought that non-kosher food is physically different and produces milk which is physically different"?
>   
If you look at my translation of the Rama's citation of Hagahos Ashri, 
you'll see that I translated "neveilah" as "carrion".  I don't think 
they thought all non-kosher foods were different, only certain foods.  
For example, Hazal say that non-Jews have warmer bodies because they eat 
rodents and insects (I apologize that I don't recall the source - 
perhaps someone with a better memory can cite it).

David Riceman