Introduction
So far, we mainly wrote about things that should not be eaten due to one commandment or another. Now, we will detail a list of things that God warns us not to eat only because of the danger they pose:
- An egg, garlic, or onion that were peeled and left overnight, are forbidden to eat. If even a bit of their peel remains, or even the hair on the head of the garlic or onion – they are permitted. Also, if they are already mixed in a dish or salad – they are permitted. If oil or salt was poured on them, they are permitted without condition.
- Do not drink water heated in a metal vessel. Whether it only warmed up in the metal vessel or you only drink from the metal vessel, but if there’s another taste – it’s permitted.
- Do not drink water dripping from a pipe or similar – if drinking them directly from the pipe or with one hand, only drinking with both hands is permitted – so you can see what you’re drinking and if there are things that shouldn’t be there…
- The prohibition of eating fish and meat together, the details of which were presented above on page 56 – is also because of danger.
- Food and drinks that were under a bed while someone slept on it for a regular night sleep, should not be eaten, even if they are closed in a box.
In the Talmud in Tractate Chullin it says “danger is stricter than prohibition” (Danger is more severe than prohibition). In other words, laws relating to physical health and the maintenance of physical life are more serious than laws relating to spiritual matters!
Question: When I fly abroad, I put the bag with the kosher food that I brought from home under the seat even when I sleep, can I eat it later?
Answer: Yes. Specifically, when the food is on the ground it is forbidden to eat when someone sleeps above it. Apart from this, even the seat you sleep on the plane – what to do – isn’t considered much of a bed…
Question: I take my little kid in a stroller for a walk with a few treats under the stroller. Is it forbidden to eat them if the baby fell asleep?
Answer: Allowed. A baby’s sleep does not forbid the food located beneath the place where they sleep, even if it’s a stroller that’s also regularly used for sleep.
Question: I have a bunk bed at home, can I place food on the lower bed at night when someone is sleeping above?
Answer: It’s better not to, but if you placed it, you can eat those foods.
- Do not bring food and drinks into the bathroom. If they entered, it’s better not to eat them.
- Medicines found in a cabinet in the bathroom are allowed for use if they have no taste. Therefore, pay attention to children’s medicines and the like, which usually have a taste so that the children agree to take them, as well as lozenges intended for sucking when having a sore throat and the like – don’t place them in the cabinet in such places.
Question : There are many things in the Torah that are forbidden because of danger or cause forgetfulness and the like. Why is this not scientifically proven?
Answer : Our sages of blessed memory speak of people who are meticulous in following the laws of the Torah – this has an influence on their souls and bodies to become more delicate and holy. In these people, the things that our sages of blessed memory spoke about indeed have a detrimental effect on their bodies or souls. However, someone who is not careful about the words of the Torah, may not necessarily be influenced by these things, because their body and soul are already coarser and more materialistic and won’t be affected by these delicate matters.
