What does the Bible say about bacteria? Are they good? Are they bad? Are they kosher?

Question

Can we kill them en-masse with antibiotics as we see fit, or is it a sin?

Answer 1

Best with BBQ Sauce and Jalapenos.



Rev. Neil

Answer 2

I realise that this is supposed to be a dumb joke but still --



Microscopic lifeforms are not relevant to Kashrut.



Bacteria are non-moraly capable life forms - just like any other wild animal.



Only people can be good or bad.



Torah says: If an ox gores people, the ox should be killed.

I don't see any religious impediment to the use of antibiotics. They should be used in the best manner possible to maximize medical utility to people.



Heaven - if you want them to ;-)

Answer 3

Bacteria that you cannot see with the naked eye do not need to be kosher. As far killing them, according to Torah law you are allowed to kill a person that is trying to kill another person if there is no other way to stop him. If so bacteria, which are not people should be the same.

Answer 4

bacteria is neither good or bad. there are some that are harmful to us and there are some that are beneficial. the Bible never says anything about bacteria.

Answer 5

It says you're supposed to splash yourself with dead bird's blood to cure illness, so not sure how the bacteria would feel about that but I'm guessing they really wouldn't care.

Answer 6

Well, your intestines have a colony of E. coli living in 'em, so I reckon God thinks they're OK.