L'chvod harabbonim, shlita,
Today's daf mentions that Rabbah, after letting blood, gave orders to chop up a footstool to light a fire, so he could warm himself. Abaye told him this would be "baal tashchis," to which he replied that he is more concerned with a sense of 'destruction,' so to speak, in regard to his body, i.e. regarding his health, than in regard to an inanimate object, i.e. the stool.
Does this idea come to play as far as halacha l'ma'ase is concerned? For example, if one had food where there was a question as to its freshness or its edibility, and one feared that by eating it he could become ill, chas v'shalom, based on this it would seem perhaps that he could dispose of the food to spare himself or others possible complications to well-being arising from its consumption?
Any clarification you could provide on this is would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
Y. Gesser, Brooklyn, Ny
Baal Tashchis d'Guf is mentioned here and also in Shabbos 140 (according to most texts).
There is a recent Sefer called Eitz Hasadeh by Rabbi Y.E. Shtesman which discusses at length Baal Tashchis. See section 10:2,4 and the footnotes.
Some learn that the rule "Baal Tashchis of the body is more severe" is a Machlokes between Amoraim in the Gemara. Rabbi Shtesman, though, brings a strong case to show that it depends on each situation. For instance, how severe is the damage to the body as opposed to monetary damage, and what is the financial situation of the person involved. See also Maharal in his Chidushe Agados 140b who learns that even temporary body damage is considered severe (Eitz Hasadeh 10 footnote 14).
In your case it seems obvious that possibility of body damage is more severe than the financial damage and one should not eat the food.
Concerning the disposal of food, leaving food to get ruined on its own is not a problem (Igros Moshe Yoreh Deah 2:174:3, Eitz Hasadeh 7 footnote 9). However, it is problematic to dispose of food because of Bizuy Ochlim, disrespect of food. Some say this applies even to food which people will not eat. It is therefore preferable to wrap the food before its disposal in the garbage. (Eitz Hasadeh 19:12 footnote 7).
All the best
Reuven Weiner.