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I know PTIJ season is basically over, but what can I do, this is when the question was raised.

PTIJ: Why do Jews eat filtered fish?

The joke, obviously, is misinterpreting "gefilte" as "filtered." That's not misinterpreting a Jewish text, but rather a Jewish idea.

Some people seem to think that's an important line and therefore this is not PTIJ, while others think it's fine.

What's the official policy on this?

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    What is the Judaism idea represented by "gefilte"? This?
    – Isaac Moses Mod
    Commented Mar 22, 2019 at 15:52
  • @IsaacMoses Eating gefilte fish on Friday night is a minhag practiced by a large percentage of Jews
    – DonielF
    Commented Mar 22, 2019 at 15:53
  • 2
    DonielF is gefilte fish, in particular, an expression of Judaism or of Jewish culture? Is it different from eating lox at bris meals?
    – Isaac Moses Mod
    Commented Mar 22, 2019 at 15:54
  • @IsaacMoses To those with that minhag, they would argue that it’s an expression of their Judaism.
    – DonielF
    Commented Mar 22, 2019 at 15:58
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    One could say the same about all kinds of expressions of the culinary culture of particular Jewish communities. Culture and religion get mixed up in people's minds. In many cases, the mix-up gets entrenched enough that it gets minhag status, but not in all. I'm aware of a minhag to eat fish on Friday night. Is there a minhag to eat lox and cream cheese at a bris? Is there a minhag to eat gefilte fish? Is there a minhag for cholent to have potatoes in it?
    – Isaac Moses Mod
    Commented Mar 22, 2019 at 16:06
  • @DonielF (I moved the comment you are replying to, to the answer below). But the whole point of filtered :) fish is avoiding borer.
    – Ariel
    Commented Mar 22, 2019 at 17:45
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    Purim Torah Policy questions are on topic on Meta all year. Don't worry about asking late in the season
    – Double AA Mod
    Commented Mar 22, 2019 at 21:06
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    Believe it or not, some people would consider the association of Jews with gefilte fish as a "racist" stereotype. Akin to assuming that all blacks eat watermelon. Personally not only am I not offended if someone assumed that about me and I don't quite follow what's racist about it. But, apparently, it is for many people.
    – DanF
    Commented Apr 4, 2019 at 2:20

1 Answer 1

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The policy states:

So, post sincere-looking questions (you know, the kind that invite answers) that: ... misinterpret a real Torah concept or Jewish text ...

I can't speak for anyone else, but for me, the issue here is not whether Judaism ideas (i.e. "Torah concepts") are fair game for PTIJ fun, but whether "gefilte" is an expression of Judaism (and not just of Jewish culinary culture). If it is, playing with it is on-topic. If not, then it isn't.

Consider the following parallel examples, all of which I would consider off-topic (and, for the record, not funny):

  • What kind of key do I need to open lox?

  • Does cholent taste as good if pot is substituted for potatoes?

  • Is everyone who goes to NYU impatient? The school's name sounds like "nu!"

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  • It's because you "filter" out the bones, which is a halachic thing, not just a culinary thing. And it just so happens that it sounds like "gefilte". So it's a play on the halachic concept, not just the culinary culture.
    – Ariel
    Commented Mar 22, 2019 at 17:44
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    @Ariel Your post does not indicate that whatsoever, and if that’s what you’re going for, it either should be posted on the Jokeathon, closed as a riddle question, or both.
    – DonielF
    Commented Mar 22, 2019 at 17:46
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    The first is somewhat funny; the 2nd i s"cute" but weird. I don't like weed, but, I have to ask my friend if she's ever tried that recipe. The 3rd is a total loser question.
    – DanF
    Commented Apr 4, 2019 at 2:23

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