Sakana - Giluy (Cont'd)
QUESTION: I have heard people say that one should not drink water that was left out all night. Is there a basis for this?
ANSWER: We have seen in the previous halachos, that according to some poskim, even today, there is a concern of giluy (beverages left uncovered). However, the concern of giluy is not limited to being left out all night. If one left water uncovered and unattended even for a short time, for those who are concerned with giluy, it is viewed as a sakana. However, as was discussed, most poskim maintain that in the industrialized areas where we live, we need not be concerned with giluy. Is there any more reason to be concerned if the water was left out all night?
It is written in Shulchan Aruch Harav (Shemiras Haguf siff 7) that it is considered a sakana (danger) to drink water, or any drink that was diluted with water, that remained all night in a metal utensil. However, Tzitz Eliezer (22:40) cites many poskim who argue with this ruling of the Shulchan Aruch Harav, and the generally accepted custom is not to be concerned with this. Sefer Divrei Yatziv (YD 33) points out that the Gemara (Nida 17a) which is the source for this halacha does not mention water, only diluted drinks. He explains that diluted drinks refer to very strong wine which require dilution. This type of wine is no longer available, and therefore this halacha no longer applies. Furthermore, poskim point out that although this chumra is mentioned in the Shulchan Aruch Harav, this comment was printed in parenthesis, indicating that he was uncertain as to whether it was correct. Since this Gemara was not codified as halacha by the Rambam or Shulchan Aruch (the first to mention it is the Shulchan Aruch Harav) and the custom is clearly to be lenient, poskim write that one may drink water that was left in a metal utensil overnight.
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