6160 – An Animal Shailah? -
Q. Kvod Horav, I realize that on the over 6000 questions that you have answered with the help of very important Poskim, you have addressed many unusual and new Shailot. I have some that you would likely appreciate, since I teach to modern science college students. Are there any special halachot for consuming conjoined animals? For examples slaughtering a kosher animal which has 2 heads and necks, is it possible? If so, how can it be done correctly according to Halacha?
A. R. Yisroel Yehoshua Trunk of Kutna (1820–1893) asserts that Yaskov and Esav gestated within a shared amniotic sac in the womb of their mother Rivka (as proven from the fact that Yacov Avinu came out grasping his older brother’s heel).
As a consequence, there was a high risk that the twins would end up sticking together and developing as conjoined twins. In order to counter that possibility, Hashem miraculously arranged for the twins to constantly “turn around” inside their mother’s womb (Gen. 25: 22) in order that the two fetuses not stick together. See responsa Yeshuot Malko vol. 2 (Piotrkow, 1927), p. 74a.
See next question.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a, and Horav Dovid Bartfeld consulting, Horav Hagaon Rav Yitzchak Berkowitz Shlit’a
Reviewed by: Hagaon Rav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
Published: November 6, 2026