Animal Fat Hand Soap - Part 2

Q. In a previous Halachah Yomis it was mentioned that soap made from animal fat is no longer non-kosher, since it is completely inedible. Does this mean that one may eat soap if so desired?

A. Soap is made by interacting animal or vegetable fat with lye, which is an inedible combination. The Torah does not prohibit consuming non-kosher food which is inedible. Nonetheless, there is a rabbinic injunction against consuming non-kosher food, even if inedible. This is stated by the Rosh (Pesachim 2:1) who writes that if chometz was burned before Pesach, one may derive benefit from the ashes on Pesach because they lose their identity. Nonetheless, the ashes may not be eaten on Pesach. This is because eating the ashes demonstrates that the person considers the ashes to be edible. This concept is known as “Achshivai” (literally, he makes it important). Achshivai is a rabbinic doctrine, and therefore consuming soap is rabbinically prohibited. However, achshivai is only relevant to eating. As such, soap, which is inedible, may be used for washing purposes.

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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.