Medications: Difference between revisions

# The Rama<ref>Y.D. 87:10, see Shach 114:21. Refer to Pischei Teshuva 87:19, 21. </ref> says an animal's stomach lining which was salted and dried out so that it becomes like a piece of wood may be filled with milk since it does not retain any taste of meat.<ref>Refer to Shach 33 who says this applies to other organs as well, but initially this should not be done (Be’er Heitiv 27, see Pri Megadim Eishel Avraham 33). Refer to Achi Ezer 3:33:5 who says the Shach does not apply to hard bones. Some say this does not apply when a product is dried in a modern facility (Journal of Halacha and Contemporary Society 30:page 72:footnote 14). </ref> The same would apply to [[gelatin]] which is completely dried out.<ref>Opinion of Harav Shlomo Zalman Aurbach zt”l quoted in Kashrus and Medicines page 53:footnote 20, see Yabia Omer Y.D. 8:11 in depth.  </ref>

# A question which arises is, if a non-kosher food becomes like wood but is later edible does it change the status or does it retains its previous non-kosher status? Some say that once the product was dried it may not regain its non-kosher status.<ref>Refer o Shach Y.D. 114:21, Pischei Teshuva Y.D. 87:20, Nodeh B’Yehuda Y.D. 26, Aruch Ha’shulchan Y.D. 87:43, Achiezer 2:11, 3:33:5, Har Tzvi Y.D. 83, opinion of Harav Henkin zt”l (Edos L’Yisroel page 132), Orchos Habayis page 29.  </ref> Others are stringent in this regard.<ref>Pri Megadim Eishel Avraham Y.D. 87:33, Chasam Sofer Y.D. 81, see Igros Moshe Y.D. 1:37, 2:27, Kovetz Teshuvos 1:73:page 107.  See Mishnas Rav Aron 1:17:2. </ref>

# One who is sick is permitted to eat a non-kosher food (which is normally ossur b'achilah) in an unusual manner.<ref>Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 155:3, Shach 14, Mishnah Berurah O.C. 466:1. An example of this is giving someone non-kosher food through intravenous. </ref> Based on this, the opinion of some poskim is that swallowing a pill made from a [[gelatin]] coating is permitted, since it is for a <u>sick person</u> and it is not the usual manner of eating.<ref>Opinion of Harav Henkin zt”l quoted in Edos L’Yisroel page 132, opinion of Harav Shachter Shlita as expressed in OU document I-97. He adds that the gel-caps have no taste to them and are nifsal from feeding to a dog. </ref> However, there are poskim who maintain that swallowing a pill is the regular manner of consumption.<ref>Refer to Nodeh B’Yehdua Y.D. 35, Pischei Teshuva Y.D. 155:6, Har Tzvi Y.D. 97, opinions of Harav Shlomo Zalman Aurbach zt”l and Harav Elyashiv Shlita quoted in Medicines and Kashrus page 57:footnote 17, Yeishiv Moshe page 165, Shemiras [[Shabbos]] K’hilchoso 40:footnote 169, Halichos Shlomo Moadim ([[Pesach]]) 1:page 69. This is the opinion of Harav Yisroel Belsky Shlita quoting the opinion of Harav Henkin zt”l, see www.koltorah.org. </ref> Others are lenient and maintain that swallowing a pill is considered an unusual manner.<ref>Halichos Shlomo 1:17:1 (although he is quoted in the footnote above as saying otherwise), see  Toras Chaim (Chullin 120) who is lenient</ref> In addition, even those who are stringent by [[gelatin]], it would not apply to medicines. However, according to the stringent opinion above regarding [[gelatin]], one who only has a headache<ref>Refer to Halichos Shlomo Moadim ([[Pesach]]) pages 71-72 who is unsure if this should be permitted with a slight pain. See Minchas Shlomo 1:17:3. </ref> or slight discomfort<ref>This does not apply to one who is bedridden (Halichos Shlomo Moadim [[Pesach]]) pages 71-72:8. The Shach 13 says this heter of the Rama is even for a healthy person. See Mishnah L’melech Hilchos Yesodei Hatorah 5:8 in depth, Zera Emes 2:48. Refer to Pri Megadim M.Z. O.C. 328:11, Shagas Aryeh 74, Binas Adom 52:page 86, Shevet Ha’Levi 7:135 who argue.  Harav Yisroel Belsky Shlita maintains if one has a headache he should not swallow gel-caps without wrapping it in a tissue. </ref> should take a pill which has no [[gelatin]] or wrap the gel-cap in a tissue (in the next issue we will iy"h continue our discussion on gel-caps).<ref>Refer to Mesora 14:page 92. Others say the custom is to be lenient with one who has even a headache (Chai Ha’Levi 3:111:2). </ref>