Non-edible ingredients

Asked by Pinhas Eliyahu · May 7, 2002 · Uncategorized

Question

Now for the key question. How do we (Jews) determine l'maaseh if something is "edible" or "non-edible"? Is there a "masterlist" that we all agree upon (why would I think there is)? Do we at least agree upon the criteria by which we measure an ingredient's "edibleness"? If 10,000 people eat whey in a country where 200,000,000 people do not eat whey, is whey considered to be "rauy l'achila"? Is there a "cut-off" at which an ingredient goes from "rauy" to "aino rauy" and vice-versa?

Answer

Answered by Aaron Abadi

Almost all ingredients that are inedible would have no argument. You feed it to anyone in the street & they'll say it's inedible. The dispute comes from so many years of thinking a certain way, that people have a hard time facing the truth. Eventually, in a few years, if you were to be so free as to have candles, aluminum foil, or paper plates in your home without proper certification, people would not eat at your house and they would not allow a Shidduch between your children and theirs. The religion most of us practice is called, "Mitzvot Anashim Melumadah." Meaning practicing what they are used to. It's not necessarily a religion based on commandments from God, saying do this and that. The people get programmed and they follow what they get used to and what is drilled in to them. People are so used to not swimming on Shabbat. Then you show them the Gemara and Shulchan Aruch and it's very clear that in a swimming pool it is OK. Yet, they will come up with a hundred rationalization why you shouldn't do it. Then you'll mention that most Chassidim go to a Mikveh each Shabbat and all women. They'll become increasingly uncomfortable realizing that you're squeezing them into a corner. There isn't even much of an argument against swimming. Then the fellow will approach his local Rabbi and ask him. The rabbi will say that it's very clear in Shulchan Aruch and the Gemora and it's unanimous that it's OK, but we don't do it. OK! There! My rabbi says that we don't do it. This is what has become of Judiasm. This is so clear & obvious to me. aaron Abadi