[Avodah] mouthwash

[rabbirichwolpoe at gmail.com]

RDK: 
> Back to me (DK). If I remember correctly, the London Beth Din Pesach
> Guide permits the original Listerine on Pesach. Perhaps this is for the
> same reason -- it does not have a pleasant taste.

When I was in 9th grade [circa 1966] my rebbe quoted RYDS that all
toothpaste was kosher for Passover.

[See also the story/legend about when RYBS taught this in shiur that R
Richard Schiltz retold on scj at
http://groups.google.com/group/soc.culture.jewish/msg/e7b761431901bd76
-mi]

I raised this issue with My LOR -- R William Cohen OBM [who was just
recently niftar shy of his 90th brithday] and told me something like this:

"It doesn't take a JB Soloveichik to be mattir toothpaste on Pesach! The
[real] reason for using "kosher toothpaste" is more about giving parnassa
to a Jewish businessmen... "

Shma mina trei

It seems toothpaste is a davar pashur that it's eino rauy l'achilas kelev,
hence muttar if made. Before Pesach.

 From a hashkafa pov, there are tzedakka and other reasons for using
toothpaste with a hashgacha when possible.

 --

I have made it my policy to go out of my way and spend a few cents more
to help a Jewish [esp a frum] entrepreneur

I have also found that I'm in a tiny minority of Jews that actually think
this way. I wonder why? I guess as an impressionable 14 -- year-old I
took my LOR's private conversation to heart as based upon Maimonidean
principles of tzedakah.

Most Jews seem to be complaining about these kinds of "humros" costing
them money.

CAVEAT: I'm only referring to a nominal premium in exchange for helping
a fellow Jew make a living. Certainly an exorbitant premium is another
matter and beyond the scope of this pos.

Another Caveat: really tasty mouthwash might be different than toothpastes
of the 1960's.

Thank You for allowing me to share a memory of R.W. Cohen OBM 

KT 
RRW 
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