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Question
One Rishon (Rabbeinu Yechiel cited by the Semak number 213) asserts that the rule of Davar Charif applies only to the sharp items specifically mentioned by the Talmud -- a radish and assa foetida (Chiltit, see Avodah Zarah 39a). Most Rishonim, though, follow the opinion of Tosafot (Chullin 112a s.v. Agav) and Rambam (Hilchot Maachalot Asurot 9:24) that this rule applies to any sharp item such as onion or garlic. The Shulchan Aruch (Y.D. 96:21) rules in accordance with the majority opinion. However, the minority opinion is used as a Snif Lehakel, a consideration in a lenient ruling (see Shach 96:12 and Biur HaGra 96:9). Davar Charif applies not only to sharp items such as radishes, but also to any food item with a very strong taste. This is evident from the examples of Davar Charif that appear in the Shulchan Aruch - lemons, very salty fish, strongly pickled vegetables, and spices. Please address this!! It seems clear that rishonim, and the Shulchan aruch agree thatonions are sharp! So is it a myth or is it in the shulchan aruch and rishonim??/ Waiting to hear from you!
Answer
Answered by Aaron AbadiFirst of all, the word Radish does not appear in the Gemara or Rishonim. We decide to use that to translate a different word, an Aramaic word. Second of all, there are hundreds of types of onions and the same is with all vegetables. Some types are sharper than others. There are many things that a Rav takes into account when studying an Halachic topic. Not all the Artscroll translations or the accepted American translations are accurate. I wrote recently an example of that regarding Aravot and Kinor (see below), showing how absurd our translation is. That is why there is such a thing as a Talmid Chacham who is "Moreh Hora'ah." His job is to sift through all that and make a Psak. Let's not assume we know everything. I don't feel the need to explain this whole concept. We addressed it earlier and for those who have the capabilities to appreciate the depth of this topic, wait to learn about my father's opinion in his Sefer. I don't know if it is in this one, but it should certainly be in the next. AA ------------------------------------------------------- I can't find the response, but here is the main gist of it. What does Kinor mean? Most say a "Harp." What does our Aravot look like? If you've seen the way the Aravot grow, the ones that are most commonly sold today, you'll know that it is like a bush of stalks coming straight up from the ground. Now, the Pasuk in Tehillim that we are familiar wit says, "Al Naharot Bavel, Sham Yashavnu..." Then it says "Al Aravim Betochah Taleenu Kinorotainu..." This means we hung our Kinor on the Aravot trees/bushes. Imagine hanging a harp on a little bush/stalk kind of plant. Now, if Kinor happened to be, say a violin (which it is not), and if Aravah was a weeping willow, suddenly it makes sense. They hung their violins on the Willow tree. We are never satisfied with having a word that we cannot translate, so we force a translation on it.