DAF DISCUSSIONS - MENACHOS 53

katzdds asked:

- Daf 53B - We learn that Klal Yisrael is compared to an olive tree (for the 3 reasons the gemaruh gives, and the vast other reasons the Perushim give). The Gemaruh in Horiot 13B , and quoted in the Mishna Berura, states that eating olives make you forget, and olive oil makes you remember. As is very pertinent in Israel, where eating olives is very common.

My question is as follows, could the two Gemaruhs be related ? We, as Klal Yisrael are compared to the olive tree because of the end result - the olive oil. That's why olive oil is good for you. But the olive itself is the hardships, when the Goyim are on top of us, that's why it makes you forget. Ultimately my question is : Maybe when the Gemaruh says that eating olives make you forget, is referring to the initial fruit off the tree, when the olive is hard and bitter. But if you pickle and salt them , as the way we eat olives , it is an end result, the finished product, maybe they don't have that negative effect ?? (and people could stop placing olive oil on top of their olives , before they eat them ).

The Kollel replies:

In Sefer Shemiras ha'Guf v'ha'Nefesh, there is an entire chapter on the subject of eating olives. The author quotes the Ya'avetz and others who say that salted or pickled olives are fine. Among other proofs, he cites many stories in the Gemara where the Tana'im and Amora'im ate olives. On the other hand, the author brings an opposing view that says that even salted olives are Kasheh l'Shichechah.

D. Zupnik