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==The Gelatin has changed ==
==The Gelatin has changed ==
The Mishnah Berurah<ref>O.C. 216:7, see Magen Avraham 3. See OU document P-86 who says that fermentations are not considered kitniyos sh’nishtana. </ref> and others<ref>Shiurei Knesses Hagedolah 216:7, Rosh (Teshuvos) klal 24:6, Buei Chai Y.D. 103. </ref> say regarding "musk," which is a byproduct of blood that is found in the neck of a deer, we can consider it "changed," since the blood is turned into a new entity. Many poskim follow this opinion.<ref>Refer to Rosh Mesechtas Berochos 6:38, Mishnah Berurah ibid. Refer to Magen Avraham O.C. 216:3, Taz 2. </ref> Using the same line of reasoning, some poskim permit the use of gelatin since it is totally changed from it original state.<ref>Refer to Yabea Omer Y.D. 8:11:15, Tzitz Eliezer’s opinion expressed in the introduction to volume 4, see Melamed L’hoyel 2:35. </ref> Others are not convinced that one can draw a parallel between musk and gelatin.<ref>Refer to Achi Ezer 3:33:5, Tzitz Eliezer ibid quoting the opinion of Harav Yecheskel Abramsky zt”l, opinion of Harav Elyashiv Shlita quoted in Yeishiv Moshe page 165. </ref>
# The Mishnah Berurah<ref>O.C. 216:7, see Magen Avraham 3. See OU document P-86 who says that fermentations are not considered kitniyos sh’nishtana. </ref> and others<ref>Shiurei Knesses Hagedolah 216:7, Rosh (Teshuvos) klal 24:6, Buei Chai Y.D. 103. </ref> say regarding "musk," which is a byproduct of blood that is found in the neck of a deer, we can consider it "changed," since the blood is turned into a new entity. Many poskim follow this opinion.<ref>Refer to Rosh Mesechtas Berochos 6:38, Mishnah Berurah ibid. Refer to Magen Avraham O.C. 216:3, Taz 2. </ref> Using the same line of reasoning, some poskim permit the use of gelatin since it is totally changed from it original state.<ref>Refer to Yabea Omer Y.D. 8:11:15, Tzitz Eliezer’s opinion expressed in the introduction to volume 4, see Melamed L’hoyel 2:35. </ref> Others are not convinced that one can draw a parallel between musk and gelatin.<ref>Refer to Achi Ezer 3:33:5, Tzitz Eliezer ibid quoting the opinion of Harav Yecheskel Abramsky zt”l, opinion of Harav Elyashiv Shlita quoted in Yeishiv Moshe page 165. </ref>


==Dried out Stomach / Gelatin ==
==Dried out Stomach / Gelatin ==
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 Yabea Omer Y.D. 8:11 in depth.  </ref>
# 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 Yabea 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>
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>


==Contemporary Opinions==
==Contemporary Opinions==
The opinion of the Achiezer<ref>2:11, 3:33:5. </ref> and others<ref>Refer to Gelatin in Jewish Law pages 95-119 in depth, Tzitz Eliezer introduction to volume 4 quoting the opinion of Harav Yecheskel Abramsky zt”l, Yabea Omer Y.D. 8:11 in depth, Harav Yecheskel Abramsky zt”l adds until now (1951) it has been accepted that gelatin is not permitted. Therefore he is concerned about permitting it. </ref> is to permit the consumption of gelatin. The opinion of Harav Henkin zt"l<ref>Edos L’Yisroel page 177. </ref> is that since this matter is not decided one should be stringent. This is the opinion of Harav Moshe Feinstein zt"l<ref>Igros Moshe Y.D. 2:27 (end). </ref> and others as well.<ref>Mishnas Rav Aron 17, Kovetz Teshuvos 1:73:page 107, Medicines and Kashrus pages 16-17 quoting other poskim.</ref> The opinion of the Israeli Rabbinate is to permit the consumption of gelatin,<ref>Journal of Halacha and Contemporary Society 30:page 66:footnote 1. One who moves to Eretz Yisroel should ask if he can follow their opinion. </ref> while the Mehadrin kosher certification in Eretz Yisroel do not allow gelatin.<ref>Kashrus page 349.  </ref> The major kashrus organizations in the United States do not allow non-certified gelatin.<ref>The Laws of Pesach: A Digest 2006 page 602. </ref> (The above discussion does not apply to taking gel-caps, as this will be discussed below).
# The opinion of the Achiezer<ref>2:11, 3:33:5. </ref> and others<ref>Refer to Gelatin in Jewish Law pages 95-119 in depth, Tzitz Eliezer introduction to volume 4 quoting the opinion of Harav Yecheskel Abramsky zt”l, Yabea Omer Y.D. 8:11 in depth, Harav Yecheskel Abramsky zt”l adds until now (1951) it has been accepted that gelatin is not permitted. Therefore he is concerned about permitting it. </ref> is to permit the consumption of gelatin. The opinion of Harav Henkin zt"l<ref>Edos L’Yisroel page 177. </ref> is that since this matter is not decided one should be stringent. This is the opinion of Harav Moshe Feinstein zt"l<ref>Igros Moshe Y.D. 2:27 (end). </ref> and others as well.<ref>Mishnas Rav Aron 17, Kovetz Teshuvos 1:73:page 107, Medicines and Kashrus pages 16-17 quoting other poskim.</ref> The opinion of the Israeli Rabbinate is to permit the consumption of gelatin,<ref>Journal of Halacha and Contemporary Society 30:page 66:footnote 1. One who moves to Eretz Yisroel should ask if he can follow their opinion. </ref> while the Mehadrin kosher certification in Eretz Yisroel do not allow gelatin.<ref>Kashrus page 349.  </ref> The major kashrus organizations in the United States do not allow non-certified gelatin.<ref>The Laws of Pesach: A Digest 2006 page 602. </ref> (The above discussion does not apply to taking gel-caps, as this will be discussed below).


==Status of Kosher Gelatin ==
==Status of Kosher Gelatin ==
Gelatin made from a kosher source is considered pareve.<ref>Igros Moshe Y.D. 1:37, 2:27, Mishnas Rav Aron 1:16. </ref> Kosher gelatin is gelatin made from fish<ref>One may eat this together with meat as well and we are not concerned about the halacha of refraining from eating fish and meat together (Mesechtas Pesachim 76b, Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 116:2). In addition it is botel b’shishim. Some say maybe the whole concern was flesh of the fish with meat not the skins or bones. Additionally, the gelatin made from fish (and other sources) does not have a flavor (Star–K Kashrus Kurrents in an article by Rabbi Mushell). </ref> or glatt kosher beef hides.
# Gelatin made from a kosher source is considered pareve.<ref>Igros Moshe Y.D. 1:37, 2:27, Mishnas Rav Aron 1:16. </ref> Kosher gelatin is gelatin made from fish<ref>One may eat this together with meat as well and we are not concerned about the halacha of refraining from eating fish and meat together (Mesechtas Pesachim 76b, Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 116:2). In addition it is botel b’shishim. Some say maybe the whole concern was flesh of the fish with meat not the skins or bones. Additionally, the gelatin made from fish (and other sources) does not have a flavor (Star–K Kashrus Kurrents in an article by Rabbi Mushell). </ref> or glatt kosher beef hides.


==Gel Caps - Not in the Normal Manner==
==Gel Caps - Not in the Normal Manner==
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>
# 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>
==Credits==
==Credits==
# Special thanks to Rabbi Moishe Dovid Lebovits Kashrus Supervision director of Kof-K and author of Halachically Speaking for this article.
# Special thanks to Rabbi Moishe Dovid Lebovits Kashrus Supervision director of Kof-K and author of Halachically Speaking for this article.