The answer is: Its mother's milk

Ex 23:19

In the fascinating tapestry of the Old Testament, you stumble upon that peculiar law: “You shall not boil a young goat in its mother’s milk.” This commandment appears in Exodus 23:19 and sometimes raises eyebrows, even getting a chuckle as people wonder who thought of that in the first place! What's intriguing is how this seems to do more than just dictate cooking practices—it also reveals layers of meaning about mercy, life, and the relationships that bind families together in the natural world.

Some scholars link this idea to ancient practices surrounding magic or fertility rituals, imbued with a sense of respect toward the nurturing bonds between a mother and her offspring. Through this lens, the prohibition isn't merely culinary; it's a deep spiritual teaching about keeping separations between life-giving sustenance and unique, family-focused experiences. In a way, it echoes themes of compassion found throughout the scriptures.

The repetition of this idea later appears in the kosher laws in Leviticus, underscoring its importance to Israelite identity and ethics. Surprisingly, it finds echoes in modern cultural practices, wherein many still highlight the bonds between animals and their young. Think of it as an early formula reminding us to treat nurturing relationships and natural connections with care, both in cooking and in life. Next time you whip up a delicious meal, ponder on what staying attentive to these relationships looks like in wasn’t so common at meal times!