Gelatin

Asked by Isaac Mizrahi · January 20, 2004 · Kashrut

Question

Shalom Aleichem Rabbi Abadi. My name is Isaac Mizrahi. I am a good friend of Michael Bitton who often chats with you regarding kashrut. I trust the Rebbi's Psak 100%; however, after being raised in Los Angeles all my life (I am 19) I went to a Chofetz Chaim Yeshiva in Los Angeles I truly do not understand how gelatin could possibly be kosher. If you would please write back to me in leangth as I am eager to learn this interesting psak, I would be truly greatful. Tizku L'mitzvos. Sincerely, Isaac Mizrahi

Answer

Answered by Aaron Abadi

It is rendered inedible during the processing. Rav Chaim Ozer has a whole Teshuva (Responsa) on this. Even the ones that come out against it, are not very firm on their Psak, but are rather unsure and thus don't permit it. The research that we made and that included many samples, has convinced my father that it is Kosher. The ones today that do not allow Gelatin are feeding the people bugs and non-kosher cheese. It's propoganda, not Halachah. AA