You may not realize it, but flavor ingredients are found in some shape or form in practically every aisle of your favorite supermarket. The ketchup in Aisle 1 uses a Tomato Flavor to enhance its taste; the cake mixes in Aisle 5 use Artificial Vanilla Flavor to give it taste; for that matter Vanilla Flavor is even added to the pack of cigarettes that are purchased at the check-out counter. Indeed, products from soup to soap use an array of flavors and fragrances to enhance their products.
Kashrus in Good Taste: Kosher Certifying the Flavor Industry
Kashrus Goes Crunch
Everyone wants to emulate a winner. The world of food manufacturing and marketing is no exception. Whenever a new product reaches the marketplace, or a new business venture is successfully launched, rest assured that product or venture will be duplicated, cloned, or modified immediately. One only needs to travel north of Baltimore to Pennsylvania Dutch country to see this in reality. Southern Pennsylvania is home to tens of snack food manufacturers, and is aptly dubbed “the snack food capital of the United States.”
The Importance of Accurate Kashrus Information
As Bnai Torah we tend to consider ourselves sophisticated and knowledgeable regarding matters that we deem important. We are not easily swayed by glitzy advertising, nor are we apt to blindly follow recommendations from others unless we are convinced that the proffered advice is sound and based on actual knowledge. When making a major purchase such as an automobile, or deciding which yeshiva or seminary is the right choice for our son or daughter, we make a decision after deliberate and careful investigation of the facts. Of course, we do accept the opinion of others, but only after we are convinced that the one dispensing advice has factual knowledge of the issue at hand.
Money-Saving Tips and Strategies for Passover and Year-Round
When we prepare to celebrate our freedom from Egyptian slavery on Pesach, the last thing we want to do is enslave ourselves to debt in paying for that eight-day celebration! Although the Gemorah states that when Hashem assigns a person’s livelihood on Rosh Hashanah for the coming year, He does not deduct Shabbos and Yom Tov expenses from the sum allocated, it is no mitzvah to spend money for those expenses, needlessly. With a little forethought and planning, you can implement some helpful money saving tips, year-round, in anticipation of Pesach.
Optimally, it would be wise to budget for Pesach, well in advance. Decide how much you will have to spend, and what you might need to cut from your budget to achieve that figure, by asking yourself: How much do I typically spend on groceries, monthly? How much did I spend on Pesach, last year? What are the specifics of […]
Kosher Chickens: From Coop to Soup
Published Spring 2007
There is a strange but true phenomenon that has resulted in our society’s technologically
motivated, highly competitive marketplace. If a manufacturer or producer desires to remain viable and competitive, he never loses sight of the fact that successful business demands innovation, creativity and growth. Status quo in the manufacturer’s lexicon often means stagnation, and no company wants to stagnate. In turn, the manufacturer on the move continues to innovate in an environment that encourages survival of the fittest. This presents additional challenges for products requiring kosher supervision from a kashrus agency. These axioms are very keenly felt in the production of kosher poultry, where halachic ingenuity and technological advances converge. The average kosher consumer rarely, if ever, has the opportunity to see a large or small slaughterhouse in action. Therefore, Kashrus Kurrents offers its readers an inside look at the policies and procedures of […]
Beware: Glatt May Not Always Mean Kosher
Published Summer 2008
It is written in our Torah, “Ubosor basodeh treifa lo socheilu” (Shmos 22:30), it is forbidden to eat treif meat. While the expression “treif” has become the universal connotation for food that is not kosher, in truth, the word treif specifically refers to an animal whose flesh was torn or ripped. Technically speaking, if a kosher species of animal or fowl was attacked by a predator, the meat of the victim may be deemed treif, non-kosher. However, the meat of an animal improperly kosher slaughtered is not treifa, it is called a neveila. Technically, meat of a non-kosher animal species is the meat of a temeiah. Yet, the term “treif” has found its way through the portals of the slaughterhouse, as well as the aisles of the non-kosher meat section of the supermarkets. No matter what the name, all of these categories of meat […]
Creating a Round Cake Decorated as a Sun | Doing Dental Work on a Parent
Kashrus Kurrents Summer 2008
Inaugural Issue: Shailos From The Institute Of Halacha
Kashrus Kurrents is proud to launch a new column, “Insights from the Institute”. In this regular feature, Rabbi Mordechai Frankel will share with our readership intriguing shailos from his email inbox. The following is a sampling of the types of interesting questions that will be addressed in future columns.
Does Bishul Akum Apply to Foods Cooked in a Microwave
Kashrus Kurrents Fall 2008
Q: Does bishul akum apply to food cooked in a microwave?
Heating & Cooling – Using Ice from an Ice Maker on Shabbos | Using an Electric Hot Water Heater on Yom Tov
Kashrus Kurrents Winter 2008
Q: My freezer has an ice making machine, which has an arm that rises as ice is produced and lowers when ice is removed. I generally turn the machine off before Shabbos by lifting the arm until it is fully raised. If I forget to do this, can I remove ice on Shabbos from the ice maker?
A: There are various types of ice maker machines available, and they do not all work in the same way. However, many of the commonly available models employ the following mechanism. The ice making process begins when the ice maker signals the water valve to open, and a specified amount of […]
Maris Ayin Using Non-Kosher Venues
Kashrus Kurrents Summer 2009
Q: May one enter a non‐kosher restaurant to get a drink of water, use the restroom or attend a business luncheon? If a person does enter such an establishment, may he eat kosher items such as whole fruit? May one buy a cup of coffee at a non‐kosher facility, such as a highway rest stop or Starbucks?
The Drinks of a New Generation
Published Summer 2009
Those of us who remember the famous marketing jingles of years past certainly recall the memorable multitudes of people locking their arms together while singing the praises of a soft drink, “What the world wants is the real thing!” Today, that exclamation resounds throughout the beverage industry while most of the world is looking for the healthy, natural, nothing artificial, real thing … others just want something yummy.
When Non-Mevushal Wine Becomes Stam Yeinom | Shipping Packages for Shabbos Delivery
Kashrus Kurrents Fall 2009
Q: I had a bottle of wine stored in the shelving unit on the door of my refrigerator. I was in the kitchen, and I saw my non-Jewish hired help open the refrigerator. She knows that she is not allowed to touch my wine, but did not pay attention to the fact that opening the refrigerator moves the wine on the door. Can I still drink the wine?
Drinking Responsibly: Taking stock of the Star-K Liquor List
Published Fall 2009
Introduction:
Since the appearance of the first Star-K approved liquor list over 12 years ago, the liquor industry has become visibly spirited, sophisticated and very high profile. As society moves in that direction, so has the kosher consumer. Whether or not this is meritorious is not for us to editorialize. However, baruch Hashem, life cycle simchos continue to abound, and a hearty l’chaim is still an integral part of sharing in one’s simchos. Briefly, Kashrus Kurrents wants to update its readership concerning the past and current trends that have taken place, as well as how we arrived at our conclusions, under the direction of our esteemed Rav Hamachshir, Harav Moshe Heinemann, shlita.
Using a Warming Tray on Shabbos
Kashrus Kurrents Winter 2009
Q: I would like to buy a warming tray that has been manufactured for the Shomer Shabbos community. It is a glass covered warming tray and has a variable temperature dial with a removable knob. It can be set at a minimum temperature of 110 0F and a maximum temperature of 230 0F. It has a sticker on it stating that it is intended solely for the reheating of cooked foods and is not intended to be used for cooking. How may this tray be used on Shabbos?
A: In order to answer this question, one must have an understanding of the Rabbinic prohibitions of shehiyah and chazarah. The parameters of these two prohibitions differ for Ashkenazim and Sefardim. This response will explain the halachah as it applies to Ashkenazim.
Shehiyah: Shehiyah is the act of placing food on an open flame before the onset of Shabbos […]
Relying on a Koton to do Mitzvos | Bishul Akum Question
Kashrus Kurrents Spring 2010
Q: Can a child who is under bar mitzvah or bas mitzvah check eggs for blood spots or check lettuce for insects?
Eating in a Canvas Sukkah that Sways in the Wind
Kashrus Kurrents Fall 2010
Q: I have been invited to eat out on Succos. The Succah has canvas walls which shake in the wind. Is this a problem?
Starting the New Year Right: A Guide to the Simanim on Rosh HaShana
Published Fall 2010
Introduction
On Rosh HaShana, everything we do is imbued with extreme significance. We stand in judgment before the Heavenly Court while each of our actions, words, and thoughts are scrutinized. To assist our efforts in currying Divine mercy, we employ various customs transmitted by our ancient mesorah. Among them is the regimen of the simanim, literally signs or omens. These are the foods that we bring to the table at the beginning of the evening meal as auspicious indications of a propitious year to come. What are the origins of this unusual custom? How can we be meticulous in its performance? How do we harness its power to usher in a year of prosperity?
Do Bee Don’t Bee- A Halachic Guide to Honey and Bee Derivatives
Published Fall 2010
As we look toward the beginning of the new year, we turn our thoughts to teshuva, and the hope that our tefillos will be answered for a sweet new year. This request has been symbolized for hundreds of years on Rosh Hashana by eating challah and apples dipped in honey.1
Using a CPAP Machine on Shabbos
Kashrus Kurrents Winter 2010
Q: My doctor has told me that I have sleep apnea, and advised me to use a sleep apnea machine. Can this device be used on Shabbos?
A: Sleep apnea is a disorder characterized by abnormal pauses in breathing or instances of abnormally low breathing during sleep. Obstructive sleep apnea, the most common form of the disorder, is caused by the relaxation of the walls of soft tissue in the airway of the throat during sleep. Common symptoms include loud snoring, restless sleep, and daytime sleepiness. Sleep-disordered breathing is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, high blood pressure,arrhythmias, diabetes, and sleep deprived driving accidents.1 Recent studies have shown that sleep apnea affects about 16% of men and 5% of women between 30 and 65 years of age.[...] Read More
Eating Her Curds? No Way
Published Spring 2011
If Miss Muffet was a conscientious seminary girl, sitting down to a meal of curds and whey would not be so simple. There is much to consider. Was the milk Cholov Yisroel? Does the milk have to be Cholov Yisroel? Was the starter culture Cholov Yisroel? What rennet was used to coagulate the milk? Did the mashgiach add the coagulants to make the curds and whey? Are all curds and whey created equal?
Can a Kohain Visit a Science Museum
Kashrus Kurrents Summer 2011
Q: Can a Kohain enter the Maryland Science Center, located in downtown Baltimore?
Brachos on Hearts of Palm, Cranberries, Sushi, Ezekiel Bread, and Rice Cakes
Kashrus Kurrents Fall 2011
Q: Which brocha should be recited when eating the following foods? (i) Hearts of palm; (ii) Cranberries; (iii) Sushi; (iv) Ezekiel bread; and (v) Rice cakes.
Guidelines for Men’s Haircuts
Kashrus Kurrents Spring 2012
Q: When my barber works on the area around my ear and temple, what I am allowed to let him do and what should I stop him from doing?
Which Materials May Be Kashered (and Which May Not)
Kashrus Kurrents Summer 2012
Q: I have a number of utensils which need kashering through hagalah (immersion in boiling water). Which materials may and may not be kashered?
A: A fleishig utensil which comes into contact with hot milchig food or a milchig utensil which comes into contact with hot fleishig food needs to be kashered before further use. There are a number of methods for kashering, dependent upon the manner of contact between the utensil and the food. Perhaps the most common form of kashering is hagalah, in which the utensil is immersed in boiling water.
Metal
The Torah tells us that a vessel may be kashered if it is made from one of six metals: gold, silver, copper, iron, tin or lead.1 There are other metals and alloys which were not in common use at the time of Matan […]
A Cut Above: Shechita in the Crosshairs, Again
Published Fall 2012
The Community and Its Shechita
One of the most basic features of a functional Jewish community, no matter the size, has historically been the shochet. Rabbis are a necessity, but were not always available; access to kosher meat is indispensable. The original American Jewish community of twenty-three Dutch Jews from Brazil, who landed in New Amsterdam (later, New York) in 1654, was led by the celebrated Asser Levy, who was also the shochet. Well before the first ordained rabbi, Rabbi Abraham Rice, arrived in 1840, shochtim served the needs of American Jews.
In the more established kehilos of Europe, the shochet was also deemed critical. An intrepid shochet, who risked his life in the early 1930s to provide kosher meat to Jews in Soviet Russia, remarked during an interview:
Tearing Kriah at the Kosel
Kashrus Kurrents Winter 2013
Q: I am going to Israel and will be visiting the kosel (Western Wall). I know that it is customary to tear kriah upon seeing the kosel, but what exactly is the procedure?
A: The Shulchan Aruch paskens that when a person sees the cities of Judea he should say,
ערי קדשך היו מדבר and tear kriah.1 However, it is not customary to do so, possibly because we do not know exactly where the ancient cities of Judea are located.2 The Shulchan Aruch continues that when a person sees the Old City of Yerushalayim he should say, ציון היתה מדבר שממה , and then tear kriah again.3 Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach zt”l writes that even nowadays, one should tear kriah upon seeing the Old City.4 However, Rav Moshe Feinstein […]
When Does One Pray When There Is No Day
Published Summer 2007
For a further discussion on this topic see Sefer Shaarei Zmanim – Siman 11 here.
There was a time not long ago when kosher food was available only in major Jewish metropolitan areas. Finding kosher certified products on the road was a daunting task. “Kosher Tours” were limited to a few select areas. Today, the Star-K and other kosher symbols appear on thousands of food products. Kosher food is available from Fairbanks to Fiji, and from New Zealand to Norway. Kosher tours are now available to Alaska and Antarctica. With so many north and south destinations easily accessible to kosher consumers, the observant Jew now faces an array of fascinating questions. In parts of Alaska, and other locations north of the Arctic Circle, there are periods of time during the summer when […]
Pie In The Sky
Published Spring 2007
Much has changed in air travel over the past decade. With all of the security scrutinization that a passenger has to undergo before boarding a flight, flying will never be the same. Slowly but surely airline travel is getting back to its place of prominence before the disaster of 9/11. The FE Traveler cover story article, “The Five-Star Inflight Experience”, should come as no surprise to the international traveler. It states,
On the Road to a Kosher Vacation
Published Summer 1996, Reviewed Summer 2005
Summertime is a season synonymous with travel, vacation, and experiencing the great outdoors. For many, the great excursion meant traveling to Bubbi’s bungalow colony in the country. Today, we vacation the length and breadth of America. As we venture further and further away from the Catskill corridor, and experience the heartbeat of America, a universal question crosses the mind of every frum vacationer: “Is there anything Kosher to eat out there?” The answer is yes, more than you think; but it is still wise to plan before your journey.
A Traveler’s Guide to the International Dateline
Published Summer 2012
Click here for a handy printable map.
In today’s global market, the furthest regions of the Earth are much closer to home than one could ever imagine. For example, citric acid – an integral ingredient in soft drinks, ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) – a common nutrient, and amino acids used in numerous food items, are produced in a variety of Star-K certified Chinese plants. Star-K certified glycerine is manufactured in the Philippines and shipped to the United States. Mashgichim are frequently sent to Thailand, Fiji, Vietnam, and Indonesia to oversee production of kosher spices, tuna fish, and canned fruits and vegetables. The Star-K has an office in Shanghai to administer the supervision and inspect facilities.
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