Avodah Zarah, Daf Samekh Zayin, Part 4

 

Introduction

We continue to discuss forbidden substances that impart a bad flavor.

 

אמר רב כהנא מדברי כולם נלמד נותן טעם לפגם מותר

א"ל אביי בשלמא מכולהו לחיי אלא דר"ל אמרו קאמר וליה לא סבירא ליה

 

R. Kahana said: We learn from the words of them all that when [the forbidden element] imparts a detrimental flavor it is permitted.

Abaye said to him: This make sense with regard to the rest of them, but R. Shimon b. Lakish said, They said and it follows that he does not hold that view.

 

R. Kahana thinks that all rabbis agree that if the prohibited substance imparts a detrimental flavor it is permitted. But Abaye senses in the statement made by Resh Lakish that there are those who disagree.

 

מכלל דאיכא למ"ד נותן טעם לפגם אסור

אין והתניא אחד נותן טעם לפגם ואחד נותן טעם לשבח אסור דברי ר"מ

ר"ש אומר לשבח אסור ולפגם מותר

 

From here we could infer that there are some who maintain that when [the forbidden element] imparts a worsened flavor it is prohibited?

Yes, for it has been taught: Whether it imparts a detrimental flavor or an improved flavor it is prohibited, the words of R. Meir. R. Shimon says: If improved it is prohibited but if worsened it is permitted.

 

The Talmud notes that there is indeed at least one tanna who holds that even if the prohibited substance imparts a bad flavor the mixture is prohibited. However, this is clearly not the dominant position.