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No. Fressing like a chazir isn’t muttar in the name of a contest.
You are not allowed to do an aveirah in order to do a Mitzvah.
I can’t say 100% for sure, but I think it’s assur.
Eating too much in general is probably not a 100% black-and-white issur (even though there are problems with it from a Torah perspective) but this is not the same thing. In that case, you are eating for the sake of eating. You really want to eat the food, and it really is serving a purpose.
In this case, you don’t want to eat the food and you are just “using” it. It seems to me that it’s: 1. being “mevazeh” (disgracing) the food,
and 2. wasting food since you are not eating it for the purpose of eating but only for the purpose of winning a contest.
A Jew is supposed to “eat in order to live”. The purpose of eating is to give us energy to serve Hashem. Even if someone eats unhealthy food, he is still doing it because it is giving him energy (emotional and/or physical) to serve Hashem. If you eat chocolate to have energy to do Mitzvos, then eating the chocolate becomes part of your Avodas Hashem.
But when you stuff yourself for the sake of a contest, you are not eating in order to have energy to serve Hashem. You are “using” the food, and acting like an animal. It is the antithesis of Kedusha and what a Jew stands for.
There used to be an avoda zara that involved stuffing oneself and then going to the bathroom in front of the avoda zara (or something like that). That is what this sounds like to me.
In terms of the kids you babysat for, kids do things like this. Maybe the parents’ didn’t feel that it was necessary or helpful from a chinuch perspective to say anything about it. Parents have to “choose their battles”, and sometimes it’s better not to make an issue out of things.
I have heard quotes from Rabbanim or Chinuch experts that when your kid does something that you know he will outgrow and not do as an adult, it is usually not a good idea to make a big deal out of it.
Children are not obligated in Mitzvos. The purpose of chinuch is to make sure your kids learn to do the right thing so they will act properly as adults. When it comes to things that they won’t do as adults anyhow, it’s possible that chinuch doesn’t apply.
I have no idea in this case if the parents did the right thing or not, and I do not know what the best response would have been. I am just explaining why they might have chosen not to say anything.
There is something called Hashkafa (outlook). Our behavior does not just follow the black and white halacha, but also an outlook on how a Torah observant Jew should behave. Even if there is no halacha outright prohibiting a hot dog eating contest, it certainly sounds like it goes against Torah Hashkafa.
LU and Joseph, exactly where did you both get Smicha? Joseph says it’s assured and LU says it’s an avaira, but “is not sure”. Please stop issuing psaks unless you can cite chapter and verse which posek says it is assur.
Recently, a non sectarian group in our area sponsored a Hot Dog Eating Contest to help raise funds for the local food bank and fund the cost of dinners at a local soup kitchen.
Area residents and clergy were outraged.
The Jews for many of the reasons stated above.
The Christians because it violates one of the ‘Seven Deadly Sins’>>>Gluttony
and the general populace who wanted to know how overeating and wasting food helps those who are starving and need assistance to provide meals.
The board of the organization has been repleced
If you want to talk about gluttony, go to an after davening kiddush or a wedding smorgasbord. People stuff their mouths like their is no tomorrow, pile food on their plates then throw out half because ultimately their eyes were far bigger than their stomach
Food “eating” contests are extremely dangerous to the participants, and for that reason alone should be assur. Eating huge amounts of food in a very short period of time is extremely unhealthy, and can cause serious gastroparesis and could require surgery.
Back in 2007, a California radio station held a water drinking contest for a video came console, and a woman died of water intoxication after trying to compete.
In 2010, a boy choked to death during a hotdog eating contest to benefit victims of the Haiti earthquake.
lesschumras,
Don’t let your vendetta against perceived “chumras” overload your common sense. Do you really intend to argue that endangering your life in order to win a prize is muttar?
Lesschum, I’m searching for a DON’T like button next to your post.
In lieu of that kindly take this advice-
Basic etiquette (or mature adult behavior if you prefer):
When eating with others at a social event or gathering, keep your eyes on your own plate.
How to behave like a Yid:
Don’t start your day by maligning wide swaths of the population in a disgusting manner.
CTLAWYER,
and the general populace who wanted to know how overeating and wasting food helps those who are starving and need assistance to provide meals.
Because eating contests are “entertaining” to watch – it’s a modern day bloodsport – and thus lucrative. Nathan’s hotdogs makes a lot of money off of their eating contests. Instead of watching gladiators maul each other in the Colosseum, “modern civilized” folk watch people maul their own bodies with food.
lightbrite,
4. What about a children’s eating contest?
Didn’t think about it back then, but I once babysat for a Jewish family. The children had a gherkin eating contest.
The parents allowed it.
I was there watching as they were laughing and stuffing their faces.
I personally have discouraged my kids from competing with each other while eating, but every child and every situation are different, so it’s up to the loving parents. Depending on the ages and type of food, there still could be a choking risk to watch out for, but siblings at the table who are having fun are unlikely to “push past the pain” and risk hurting themselves.
That wasn’t a contest, your childhood rav just held by Great Gedalia Goomber’s shiurim 🙂
So, let’s assur any activity that might possibly, however remote, result in injury.
Golfer, it’s hard not to notice when 1.someone grabs an entire plate of Kishka for himself 2. When someone elbows you out of the way to get a chulent refill 3. When someone stands eating at the table and refuses to move etc.
Avram, boorish behavior is in the eye of the beholder. By your definition, a frum slumlord is committing an avaira by putting the lives of his tenants at risk ( bad wiring, no heat hot water etc)
lightbrite,
What does that mean?
I was kidding. In just under a month, we’ll probably start reading complaints in the CR about how the shiurim (amounts of matza and marror we’re required to eat at the seder) grow each year, like the big ol’ fish that Bubba caught back in the day.
Avram
Its not so funny,Some people eat Chazon Ish sized Shmurah Matzah in under 3 mins (I think) certainly alot less than 9 mins
lesschumras,
So, let’s assur any activity that might possibly, however remote, result in injury.
Slippery slope fallacy, and ridiculous. Do you play Russian roulette for the fun of it?
Golfer, it’s hard not to notice when 1.someone grabs an entire plate of Kishka for himself
Never seen that at my shul.
2. When someone elbows you out of the way to get a chulent refill
Never seen that at my shul. The minhag in my shul is to politely say “good Shabbos” (translation: I don’t hate you, but get outta my way!)
3. When someone stands eating at the table and refuses to move etc.
Never seen that at my shul.
Just because you’re a member of Temple Beth Boor doesn’t mean the rest of us are.
Avram, boorish behavior is in the eye of the beholder.
I do think eating contests are boorish, but not one time did I say that or use that in an argument. So why are you arguing with me like I did?
By your definition, a frum slumlord is committing an avaira by putting the lives of his tenants at risk ( bad wiring, no heat hot water etc)
Absolutely. Not to mention potential chillul Hashem. Why would you think I would feel any differently? Dude, lose the prejudice and hatred against your brethren.
You are supposed to eat a Kezayis of matzah in a certain amount of time otherwise you are not Yotzei
There is a debate exactly how much a Kezays is and how long it takes to eat it. The Chazon ish was famous for larger portions than other opinions
Even the largest shitta for afikomen is relatively a small amount of food.
lightbrite,
I have seen people do what lesschumras said about pushing for food and even complaining about it unfortunately.
I have seen accidental pushing, with “oh, sorry, excuse me!” thrown in, but that is a normal pitfall of a large crowd trying to access a small space.
I have seen people grab an entire plate of food off the table, but it’s usually to move it closer to their plates so they can serve themselves without spilling stuff all over the table. If I ask for the plate back politely I’m usually obliged politely.
I have seen people standing at the communal tables and eating, but they are typically unaware that they are blocking others, and a quick “good Shabbos” or “excuse me” will get them to move.
and there were several otherwise normal yet ravenous individuals in the group.
I bet the davening ends fairly late at your shul.
The Chazon ish Portion is about 3/4 of a hand Made Shmurah Matza, it is not a small amout of food.
I think the Rav moshe size which is what many schools give out is about 1/2 a matzah.
marror too, you have to eat a certain amount. I think its about 5 stalks of lettuce for a Kezayis
zahavasdad,
marror too, you have to eat a certain amount. I think its about 5 stalks of lettuce for a Kezayis
Depends on the size of the stalks.
Romaine Lettuce stalks are all about the same size , about 3 inches or so long
zahavasdad,
You must like baby greens 🙂
LB, afikomen must be eaten by halachic midnight. If the piece hidden away is not available (e.g. kid who hid it fell asleep and no one else can find it, or kid drives too hard a bargain), or not enough to cover everyone’s minimal shiur, then any matza can be used for tzafon.
Eating matza is a very important part of the seder. One should not fill oneself up during shulchan aruch so as to have room for the afikomen.
I never understood all the emphasis on cooking fancy foods for shulchan aruch- who is hungry after all that matza and who can eat a big meal so late at night?
And by the way, if anything (hand) shumar matza gets more expensive every year. That’s why it is called lechem oni, because it makes you poor. (sorry, old joke)
LB: There is no requirement that the afikoman has to be hidden. The custom for children to “chaap” the afikoman is twofold: 1) so that they should stay awake for the seder.
2)It is related to Yaakov Avinu receiving the brochos instead of Eisav which took place on the day we celebrate Pesach. The passuk says ????????? ???? ??????? ?????????? ????????? ???????????:
The numerical value of ?????????? is 287. Beis =2, mem =40 (x2=80) resh=200 and hay =5. 200+80+5+2=287.
afikoman is also 287 (alef=1, pey=80, yud=10, kuf=100, vav=6, mem-40, nun=50 (1+80+10+100+6+40+50=287).
It does not actually have to be hidden away unless the adults want to look for it.
Fancy foods for Shulchan Orech?
Not at my house.
Same menu every year.
(But my family are nice. They always make it seem like that’s just what they wanted. Who knows? Maybe it is.)
The Matzah and simanei haseder take center stage. Literally and otherwise.
And there’s always serious discussion about this year’s shmurah matzah vs last year’s & this year’s maror vs last year’s. Anyone else have that minhag?
LB: Matzos are made differently so the circumference is not uniform. Also there are thin and thick matzos (relative terms). Some bakeries have 6 matzos to a pound (relatively “thick”) and some have 9 or 10 matzos to a pound (relatively “thin”). The thinner the matzo, more of the matzo has to be eaten to satisfy the measurement of a “kezayis” (size of an olive). The friendswithdiabetes dot org website has a chart for this.
Moderators: here are the actual links if you will allow it. I know the rules. Since it is for a mitzvah….
The Chazon Ish died in 1953, While for many that might seen like a long time ago, It really isnt
Can a chumra sweeten a bitter eye?
RY – what do you mean?
ZD: “The Chazon Ish died in 1953, While for many that might seen like a long time ago, It really isnt”
And therefore?
“A chumra can sweeten a bitter eye” was one of the tags.
One of the biographies of the Chazon Ish mentions that he baked his own matzos and the oven was small so only 3 or 4 matzos were baked at one time.
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