Halachot and Customs
How was it permitted for Abraham to feed the angels meat and milk?
Question
Hello,
It is said that the holy patriarchs observed the entire Torah even though it had not yet been given in their time. If so, how could Abraham have served his guests beef with butter? Even if he did not eat it himself, surely it is not appropriate for someone who keeps kosher to serve his guests food that is not kosher!
Thank you,
Hodaya
Answer
Greetings,
You asked well, and the commentators addressed this and gave several answers, including:
1. In truth, Abraham our father first served them butter and milk, and only after they finished eating the milk did he serve them the calf that he had made. In that case, there is certainly no prohibition (Rabbenu Yosef Bekhor Shor on the Torah, Genesis 18:8. And so too the Malbim there).
2. Abraham our father made the calf through Sefer Yetzirah, and as it is written, and the calf that he "made"; and meat of this kind does not have the status of meat, and it is permitted to eat it with milk (the Malbim there. See also Meshech Chochmah there).
With blessings,
Hillel Meirs
