Kosher Nullification

What is the source that non-kosher foods are nullified when diluted 60x?

Shalom!

Thank you for your question.

The source for this can be found in the Talmud (Chullin 98a) where we find the ruling of Rabbi Yehoshua Ben Levi in the name of Bar Kapara that, as a general rule, it can be assumed that non-kosher food is nullified in sixty parts. In mathematical terms it means that the non-kosher foods makes up no more than 1.63% of the mixture. It is explained that when an ingredient is less than this amount in a mixture it’s taste cannot be sensed.

The Talmud brings a proof from the laws of sacrifices. One who made a vow to become a Nazirite must bring a ram offering when his vow is completed. Anyone may eat from the meat of this offering with the exception of the “zeroah” – the arm. This is because the arm of the animal is of a higher holiness and may only be eaten by a Kohen.

Nevertheless, the arm must be cooked along with the rest of the animal and only then is it broken off to be given to a Kohen. But here’s the problem: as mentioned, the arm is not kosher for all Jews - it’s only kosher for the Kohen. So perhaps cooking the ram with the “non-kosher” arm renders the entire animal not kosher?

The rabbis point out that the arm of a ram is 1/60th of the volume of the ram. So indeed, even though the arm is not kosher for most Jews, it is “nullified” and does not render the rest of the animal prohibited for anyone.