More Discussions for this daf
1. Dam Kodshim, according to Rebbi Avahu 2. Tasteless Gid ha'Nasheh 3. Ain b'Gidin ha'Nasheh b'Nosen Ta'am
4. Hekesh used already 5. Neveilah to a Nochri
DAF DISCUSSIONS - PESACHIM 22

Raphael Bornstein asked:

According to the viewpoint that gid has no taste, what pleasure is derived from sending this gid to a gentile?

The Kollel replies:

I assume that what you mean to ask is, whether or not Halachically we assume that a Gid has taste, it certainly does not affect what the Nochri's taste-buds feel. There is apparently a minimum of taste involved. What pleasure, then, will the Nochri gain from eating a tasteless Gid ... and what benefit will the Yisrael subsequently gain by sending it to him?

Come to think of it, Halachah apart, why would one send such a worthless gift in the first place? So pleasure there clearly is; the question is what?

Perhaps we can answer by citing the example of tofu, which has little or no taste of its own, but which adopts the taste of any flavor that one adds to it, often ending up as an extremely tasty dish. Likewise, Gid eaten with vegetables, spices or condiments, or even together with other meat might turn out to be quite scrumptious.

Besides that, it may well have certain calorific advantages, as well as helping to satisfy one's hunger (like a thirsty person drinks water, even though it has no taste [if not Hana'as G'rono, at least, Hana'as Me'av - if not the throat, then at least the stomach]). Alternatively, it may be pleasant to chew, or the Nochri might give it to his dog (whose taste-buds are probably more sensitive than ours).

Rabbi Kornfeld pointed out to me that the Gid ha'Nasheh is actually a sinew or a nerve, in which case it can be used for making string and for other purposes not for eating. The Nochri may be using it for one of those purposes.

be'Virchas Kol Tuv

Eliezer Chrysler.