Chullin 97a-b Adding Flavor - אמר רבנן בטעמא

From Matmonim: Daf Yomi by Rabbi David Lapin by R David Lapin.

In the area of issur ve’heter, Halacha, as in many other areas,is not concerned with the scientific data as much as it is with the human experience – actual or potential. The existence of issur (prohibited matter) mixed into permitted food is dependent on its capacity to add flavor, not on its empirical existence in the food. Our existence as human beings should also be evauated from the perspective of our capacity to “add flavor.” 

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