{"id":5585,"date":"2011-03-04T08:07:33","date_gmt":"2011-03-04T06:07:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ph.yhb.org.il\/en\/?p=5585"},"modified":"2021-03-21T10:27:07","modified_gmt":"2021-03-21T08:27:07","slug":"04-08-07","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ph.yhb.org.il\/en\/04-08-07\/","title":{"rendered":"07.\u00a0Medicines on Pesa\u1e25"},"content":{"rendered":"
Medicines are the subject of some of the most common questions on Pesa\u1e25. For example, there is concern that pills contain wheat-based starch. The purpose of the starch is to solidify and harden the pills. Had the starch been produced from potatoes or kitniyot<\/strong>, there would be no problem even for Ashkenazim, as for medicinal purposes one may swallow pills containing kitniyot<\/strong>. But what about starch extracted from a type of grain that can become \u1e25ametz<\/strong>? It must be emphasized that a dangerously ill person whose treatment requires eating \u1e25ametz<\/strong> has a mitzva to eat \u1e25ametz<\/strong>. Saving a life overrides the prohibition against eating \u1e25ametz<\/strong>. The question applies to an ill person whose life is not at risk.<\/p>\n The answer depends on the taste of the medicine: if it is flavored, like syrup, lozenges, or chewables, then one must ascertain that it is kosher for Pesa\u1e25. In cases of uncertainty, it is forbidden to ingest them. Under pressing circumstances, if there is no way to clarify the uncertainty, one may be lenient (see the note).<\/p>\n However, if the medicine is bitter or tasteless to the point that it is not fit as food, it may be swallowed on Pesa\u1e25. Even if the starch was derived from wheat, since it has been mixed with various bitter substances it is inedible and has lost its status as \u1e25ametz<\/strong>. As we have seen, \u1e25ametz<\/strong> that was rendered unfit for a dog\u2019s consumption before Pesa\u1e25 is no longer considered \u1e25ametz<\/strong> and may be kept on Pesa\u1e25. The fact that one wants to swallow the medicine does not demonstrate that the \u1e25ametz<\/strong> in the medicine is important to him, since the medicine, not the \u1e25ametz<\/strong>, is significant for him, and the \u1e25ametz <\/strong>itself is bitter and unfit for consumption. The \u1e25ametz<\/strong> in it is thus batel<\/strong> and not prohibited (\u1e24azon Ish, <\/strong>Mo\u2019ed 116:8; Igrot Moshe<\/strong>, O\u1e24 2:92).<\/p>\n Some meticulously observant people try to avoid even bitter medicines that contain \u1e25ametz<\/strong>. They show concern for the opinion of the few poskim<\/strong> who maintain that medicine is not considered unfit for a dog\u2019s consumption since we deem it significant, and it is thus rabbinically prohibited. Other poskim<\/strong> permit swallowing bitter medicines that contain \u1e25ametz <\/strong>starch for one who is bedridden or whose entire body is in pain, but rule stringently for one suffering from mild aches and pains. But the view of most poskim<\/strong> is that bitter medicines containing \u1e25ametz<\/strong> starch may be taken by any ill person and even only to reduce mild pain, as a prophylactic, or to fortify the body.<\/p>\n Practically speaking, if one is uncertain whether certain bitter or tasteless medicines contain wheat starch, he may swallow them without checking that they are free of wheat starch. As we have learned, most poskim<\/strong> maintain that medicines rendered unfit for a dog\u2019s consumption before Pesa\u1e25 may be consumed during Pesa\u1e25 even if they are known to contain \u1e25ametz<\/strong>. Even one who prefers to comply with the stringent opinion on this issue need not be strict if he is uncertain whether the medicine contains \u1e25ametz<\/strong>. This is especially true nowadays, when we know that potato and corn starch are used more widely than wheat starch. Thus, in practice, one may consume bitter or tasteless medicines on Pesa\u1e25 without ascertaining whether they contain \u1e25ametz<\/strong>. When one knows for certain that a particular medicine contains \u1e25ametz<\/strong> starch, he may choose to rely on the lenient opinion of most poskim<\/strong> or the stringent minority.[9]<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n