Why is blood forbidden in Jews' diet?

Question

I'm curious because many people eat it, and maybe they shouldn't. I don't, just because I don't feel like it, but I would like to know if there is a particular reason. A real, reasonable reason.

Answer 1

It's not the blood. Here are the rules for Kosher eating (not all Jews observe these)

General Rules

Although the details of kashrut are extensive, the laws all derive from a few fairly simple, straightforward rules:

1. Certain animals may not be eaten at all. This restriction includes the flesh, organs, eggs and milk of the forbidden animals.
2. Of the animals that may be eaten, the birds and mammals must be killed in accordance with Jewish law.
3. All blood must be drained from the meat or broiled out of it before it is eaten.
4. Certain parts of permitted animals may not be eaten.
5. Meat (the flesh of birds and mammals) cannot be eaten with dairy. Fish, eggs, fruits, vegetables and grains can be eaten with either meat or dairy. (According to some views, fish may not be eaten with meat).
6. Utensils that have come into contact with meat may not be used with dairy, and vice versa. Utensils that have come into contact with non-kosher food may not be used with kosher food. This applies only where the contact occurred while the food was hot.
7. Grape products made by non-Jews may not be eaten.

Answer 2

"For blood is life" is written in the Torah - the laws given to Moses. Many of the dietary restrictions address the perceived (then) difference between the human and the beast; the primitive and the civilized. Human sacrifice was customary among tribes in the Middle East (as well as in the Americas); unborn lamb was considered a delicacy; hunting was brutal. So these kosher laws sanitized eating flesh, so to speak.
Deuteronomy, Chapter 12

Answer 3

I don't think I know anyone who consumes blood other than in a blood transfusion.
As is the case with all meat products, the animal is bled before butchering.

Answer 4

It isn't.

The blood of the calf cannot be mixed w/ the milk of the mother. To make sure that this doesn't happen, Kosher food keeps all "milk" dishes separate from all "meat" dishes. This separation involves tons of rules and rituals, including dishes, utensils, pans, etc set aside for each use.

Answer 5

out of respect for life... the life is in the blood...

Answer 6

It is in the old testament. God told them NO!