JOSEPH W. TKACH
PASTOR GENERAL

December 1987

Dear Friend:

Thank you for your recent question concerning whether or not eating rare meat is a violation of God's prohibition against eating blood.

The command in Leviticus 17:10-11 prohibits eating blood as such; it does not refer to the juices which remain in the meat. If the animal is allowed to bleed freely at the time it is butchered, God's requirement has been fulfilled, and we may eat the meat without misgivings. We need not be concerned about any other juice, whether reddish colored or not, which remains in the meat.

We hope you will let us know whenever we can assist you further with your study of the Bible. It is our pleasure to serve you.

PERSONAL CORRESPONDENCE DEPARTMENT