Playing with Food

Question: I am a madrich (counsellor) over the Summer and have been asked to create stamps out of potatoes with the children. Is this allowed?

Answer: The Torah (Devarim 20:19) prohibits soldiers in battle from destroying fruit trees. Rambam (Melachim 6:8) writes that this applies to destroying all fruit trees as well as blocking up essential water supplies. Rambam adds (6:10) that this prohibition also applies to destroying kelim (containers, such as plates), tearing clothes, demolishing buildings and destroying food unnecessarily. The acharonim debate as to whether destroying these other things is prohibited mideoraisa or miderabanan (See Mishna Lamelech, Melachim 6:8; Torah Lishma 400; Yabia Omer YD 5:12).

The Shulchan Aruch (OC 171:1) writes that one may use food for non-eating purposes providing that one is not doing so in an abhorrent manner. The Magen Avraham (171:1) explains that if one is utilising it for any practical use then this is considered to be appropriate. Thus, one may wash one’s hands with other drinks if necessary.

However, the Mishna Berura (171:4; Biur Halacha 171:1) writes that one may only use the food for another use if it is typically used in such a manner (derech haolam). Nonetheless, the Aruch Hashulchan (OC 171:2) disagrees, writing that any practical use is acceptable. Therefore, one may use wine to clean stains, etc.

R’ Yisrael Yaakov Fisher (Even Yisrael 9:63) writes that we pasken like the Magen Avraham. Therefore, one can hollow out potatoes to make candles and carve them to make stamps.

In conclusion, it is acceptable to use food items for crafts, such as making potato stamps.