Bal Teshaktzu - Personal Sensitivities (Continued)

Q. I dislike many foods. If I force myself to eat something that tastes awful to me, is this a violation of bal teshaktzu (acting in a repulsive manner)?

A. The prohibition of bal teshaktzu relates to eating foods that are disgusting, nauseating or repulsive. For example, eating spoiled or moldy foods would be a violation of bal teshaktzu even if the taste is not foul tasting. The Mishnah (Chullin 4:7) writes that a nefesh yafeh (the extreme opposite of fastidious)) may eat a placenta that is found inside a slaughtered animal. The Pri Chadash (YD 84:3) notes that others would be forbidden to do so, since most people consider a placenta to be repulsive. Not liking a food is a much less intense emotion than being nauseated, and if one eats regular food, even though they dislike the taste, they do not violate bal teshaktzu. Therefore, if a child does not like eating vegetables, their mother may instruct them to eat them, without causing the children to violate halacha.

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The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt"l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.