The Knead to Know: The Rise of Sourdough

By: Rabbi Tzvi Rosen

Fall 2023

We are all familiar with the Torah’s directive to rid our homes of chometz in order to prepare for Pesach. The Torah uses two terms when instructing us in the cleaning process: chometz and se’or.

Ask any talmid or talmida: “What is chometz,” and you will get a very erudite response. Ask the next question: “What is se’or,” and seven out of ten will shrug and say, “I dunno,” while the other three might venture, “Sourdough?” When you follow up and ask them to define sourdough, most – if not all – will say, “I dunno!”

Today, more and more homes are seeing sourdough boules find their way into their bread baskets. With its “rise” in popularity, it is only natural that we look into this new trend and ask, “Ma nishtana sourdough bread from its conventional counterpart? Are there halachic and practical differences?”

Wheat and Bread Making Fundamentals

Let’s begin by reviewing […]

Shemita After Shemita: It’s Not Over Yet!

By: Rabbi Ahron Haskel

Fall 2023

There are those who think that whatever comes from Israel is kosher and who are not aware of the many issues associated with goods that are produced in Israel, be they concerns of orla, terumos, maasros – or Shemita. And they believe that once the Shemita year ends, Shemita issues are a thing of the past.

The Shemita year ended more than a year ago. To many of us, it already seems like a distant memory, a topic that we will next revisit in roughly five years, when we prepare for Shemita of 5789. But the truth is that Shemita of 5782 is still very relevant. It is important to remember this because our brethren in Chutz La’aretz are less aware of mitzvos hatluyos ba’aretz.[1] Since produce in the Diaspora are not subject to these laws, there is less awareness of Shemita repercussions.

We are currently in a period […]

When It’s “Not Kosher” to Eat Kosher: The Halachos of the Fast Days

By: Rabbi Dovid Heber

Fall 2023

With the impending arrival of Tzom Gedalya and Yom Kippur, now is a good time for a halachic review of the six ta’aneisim that are incorporated into the Jewish calendar.[1] In addition to the aforementioned, we fast on Asara B’Teves, Ta’anis Esther, Shiva Asar B’Tamuz and Tisha B’Av. The halachos apply to males from the age of thirteen and females from the age of twelve.[2]

Timing Is Everything: When the Fasts Begin and End

Yom Kippur[3] and Tisha B’Av[4] begin at sunset. If one wants to eat after the seudas hamafsekes, one should state before the end of the seudah that he wants to do so. Having this in mind before Birchas Hamazon is also enough.

The other fasts begin at alos hashachar (dawn).[5] On those days, if one wants to arise[6] before dawn and eat, he should go to […]

Starbucks, Dunkin’ & Other Coffee Shops: Getting Your Caffeine Boost In-Town and On-the-Road

By: Rabbi Baruch Beyer

Summer 2023

The STAR-K Hotline receives no end of calls from coffee heads who dote on their daily cup of joe, whether from a local Starbucks or a Dunkin’ on the road. Recent changes in Starbucks’ company policy vis-à-vis kosher have further elevated the confusion for the kosher coffee connoisseur. Let’s dive in to clear out some of the haze.

Unflavored roasted coffee beans, whole and ground, are considered kosher without a hechsher. Bearing this in mind, buying a cup of unflavored regular or decaf coffee should not present any kashrus issues. Some coffee vendors, however, sell kosher and non-kosher items, like bacon and ham-filled sandwiches. The keilim used for coffee and the treif items are at times washed together, causing blios (absorbed tastes) from the treif utensil to enter the coffee equipment.

For example, at Starbucks, it’s been established that the brew basket that holds the coffee grounds while the coffee is […]

Cool Drinks for a Hot Summer Day: A Review

By: Rabbi Tzvi Rosen

Summer 2023

Each summer the STAR-K Hotline fields hundreds of questions from concerned kosher consumers, thirsty to know: Is my Slurpee kosher? Do smart waters need a hechsher? What are the concerns with shaved ice and sno-cone stands? We stand ready to quench your thirst for information!

Carbonated Beverages

Carbonated beverages involve two major processes: compounding the flavor bases to create the flavor, and bottling the finished product when the sweetening agents, carbonation and water are added.

Soft drinks are compounded into soda flavor bases at one of three locations: the bottling facility, a separate technical center dedicated to blending soda emulsions, or an outside flavor house. In the latter case, the flavor house will create custom emulsions with specifications laid out by the soft drink company.

Regardless of the location, the most intensive part of kosher soft drink certification entails compounding, since this is when the kashrus of the flavors, colors, oils and blending […]

Insights From the Institute: The Mesorah on Duck Eggs

By: Rabbi Mordechai Frankel

Summer 2023

Q: My local farmer’s market sells duck eggs. Can I assume that they are kosher?

A: Although the Torah lists twenty-four non-kosher species of birds, we no longer know precisely to which species the Torah is referring.[1] The Gemara provides alternative ways to ascertain whether a bird is kosher, but notes an instance in which a mistake in identification transpired.[2] For this reason, Rashi states that we do not rely on the Gemara’s criteria, and we eat only the few species of birds for which we have a mesorah (oral tradition) that attests to their kosher status.[3]

The Baal Ha’maor, one of the Rishonim, maintains that he has a tradition that all birds with wide feet and a wide beak – those more or less resembling a goose – are deemed kosher if they meet the Gemara’s criteria.[4] The Shulchan Aruch […]

Why the “D” in Non-Dairy?

By: Rabbi Tzvi Rosen

Summer 2023

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary offers the following definitions for the noun dairy: the department of farming or of a farm that is concerned with the production of milk, butter, and cheese; milk from a cow or other domestic animal (such as a goat); and food (such as ice cream, cheese, or yogurt) made primarily of or from milk.

Today, a dairy is far more than a producer of milk products. If we were to explore a modern-day dairy, a far more accurate definition would be: an establishment that processes milk; milk products, such as ice cream, buttermilk and yogurt shakes; non-dairy alternative frozen desserts; non-dairy novelties, such as ices and popsicles; and non-dairy beverages, such as juices, fruit punch and tea.

Unquestionably, liquid milk production is the bread and butter of a successful dairy plant. Juices and teas are suitable side dishes and, of course, the pièce de resistance is ice cream […]

Putting the New in Shehecheyanu

By: Rabbi Chananya Jacobson

Kashrus Kurrents, Spring 2023

Shehecheyanu is a bracha
that is said on special occasions, which the Gemara defines as something that
only “happens from time to time.”[1] We
say Shehecheyanu not only on religious occasions, such as the Yamim
Tovim, but also to express our appreciation for new experiences and pleasures.
Unlike the obligatory Shehecheyanus said on the zmanim and their mitzvos,[2] these
brachos are voluntary; perhaps that is why people are not always careful to say
them in every situation that would warrant it.[3]

New Fruit

The Shulchan Aruch writes, “One who sees a fruit which grows anew every year says Shehecheyanu, even if he sees it in his friend’s hand, or while still on the tree.”[4] In other words, the primary motivator for the bracha should be the sight of the new fruit. This is indeed how the halacha was originally codified by the Rambam.[5] However, the Mechaber concludes, “The custom is to […]

Mashke Goes Mainstream

By: Rabbi Zvi Holland

Kashrus Kurrents, Spring 2023

In the last year, STAR-K certified a host of iconic brands in the
alcoholic beverages category from almost all the way around the globe: from the
green pastures of Kentucky, to the shores of Baltimore’s Inner Harbor; crossing
the Atlantic Ocean to the Emerald Isle, Ireland; and completing the journey in Italy.
These newly kosher-certified brands include selected products from Baltimore’s
own Sagamore spirits; Wild Turkey and Skyy Vodka; Bailey’s Irish Cream Original
(STAR-D Dairy, non-cholov Yisroel); and Frangelico, all of whom have joined
the STAR-K Family just this year.

Kosher certification for spirits addresses a number of serious issues that have cropped up, as the industry has globalized and consolidated operations. Growing use of additives and processing aids that need certification – such as flavor chemicals, glycerin and the use of shared transportation bottling lines with dairy and non-kosher products – makes kosher certification more and more relevant, even in product categories that […]

Who Has Whom…Over the Barrel?

By: Rabbi Tzvi Rosen

Kashrus Kurrents, Spring 2023

The immortal words of Koheles, “l’kol zman va’eis” – there
is a time and a place for everything – rings true in all of life’s twists and turns
and is certainly relevant in the world of kashrus and kashrus standards. Kosher
food certification has grown exponentially, and standards have improved with
age. Who would have dreamed that pas Yisroel, bishul Yisroel, and
cholov Yisroel would be available to the wider kosher marketplace?

Forty years ago, a can of tuna with bishul Yisroel and hashgacha
temidis was a rare commodity. Many a yeshiva would resort to stam cholov
when cholov Yisroel wasn’t available, something that would be
unheard of half a century later. Yoshon was an anomaly, except for the
meticulous few; today, yoshon is a kosher household term and it
continues to proliferate.

These amazing developments across a variety of industries are a
testament to the tireless diligence of kashrusagencies who strive to
provide the kosher consumer with the finest […]

STAR-K Goes to College: An Interview with Rabbi Mayer Kurcfeld

Kashrus Kurrents, Spring 2023

Some of the top colleges in the U.S. boast a 10-25 percent Jewish
student population. In 2022, Jewish students were well-represented at all eight
Ivy League schools, with Columbia leading the way at 24%, followed by Brown
(19%), Cornell and UPenn (tied at17%), and Yale (13%).[1] The
continually increasing number of kosher and other Jewish amenities on the American
college campus mirror these statistics – and act as magnets to attract Jewish
students. For some, STAR-K’s presence on campus offers a first – and sometimes
only – taste of Yiddishkeit.

Rabbi Mayer
Kurcfeld, a STAR-K kashrus administrator, has been engineering and overseeing the
agency’s many certified on-campus facilities since 1999, custom-designing those
that were not pre-existing. I asked him to describe the kashruschallenges
of certifying the ever-evolving college campus dining platform.

KK: Which
U.S. colleges and universities are certified by STAR-K?

RMK: We currently certify kosher dining at American University, Cornell
University, Franklin & Marshall College, Ithaca College, Johns Hopkins
University, Muhlenberg College, […]

Wanting the Best for Our Children: Meeting Kashrus Challenges in Yeshiva, Camp, and Day School Kitchens

By: Rabbi Dovid Heber

Kashrus Kurrents, Winter 2023

Kashrus has come a long way over the
past fifty years. Agencies ensure the highest standards of kashrus in factories
and food establishments worldwide, with experts in halacha, food technology, equipment,
and ingredients. Consumers have been trained to know which products are acceptable
and how to maintain a kosher kitchen l’mehadrin.

However, one area of kashrus that
has received far less attention – even throughout the past several decades of unprecedented
kashrus growth – is kashrus in our schools. This is due to several inaccurate reasons,
including the following:

Myth #1: “Religious teachers are in
the building all day and they oversee kashrus and everyone is careful.” Realistically, this is not the case.
Unless a teacher is told to “be on top” of the situation, only minimal oversight
will typically occur. Unfortunately, not everyone is familiar with the intricacies
of kashrus, and without guidelines a lot can go wrong.

Myth #2: “Unlike a for-profit eating
establishment, which obviously needs oversight […]

Rice: Nature’s Answer To Hashem’s Blessings

By: Rabbi Tzvi Rosen

Kashrus Kurrents, Winter 2023

It has been touted as nature’s most versatile food. There is no single
grain that feeds more people around the globe and, because it is free of gluten
and allergens, can be tolerated by most everyone. It is the most widely
consumed staple for over half of the world’s human population.[1]

When the Gemara in Brachos discusses the brachos that
are made before and after eating this versatile grain, the mnemonic used to
remember the poskim’s conclusion is אמן: Orez, Mezonos, Nefashos. The grain we are discussing is
Oryza sativa, which the Gemara refers to as orez.[2] We
know it, simply, as rice.

There are over 7,000 varieties of rice grown worldwide. Rice is mostly consumed in the Asian regions from Japan in the east
to Pakistan in the west and, after sugarcane and maize, is the third most
produced agricultural crop in the world.[3] China
and India account for more than half […]

Everything You Need to Know About Storing and Checking Brown Rice

By: Rabbi Sholom Tendler

Kashrus Kurrents, Winter 2023

Brown rice is a whole natural grain that goes through minimal
processing. It is therefore more susceptible to infestation concerns than
grains that are more processed.

Whole unprocessed grains can have microscopic eggs attached to
them. If left in improper conditions, like warm or humid environments, they can
hatch and may pose a seemingly ‘sudden’ infestation, even in well-sealed
containers. Insects like beetles and weevils found in packages of brown rice
are known as ‘pantry pests’ and are the result of improper storage. This can
happen at any point in the supply chain, from the initial processing or packing
plant to the kitchen pantry.

To minimize the risk of infestation, STAR-K recommends brown
rice be checked prior to use using the method outlined below. Anyone who wishes
to stock up on large quantities of brown rice (or any grains) should first
check the rice, then store it for at least 96 hours at below freezing
temperatures. This will effectively […]

Shehecheyanu: A Timely Blessing

By: Rabbi Chananya Jacobson

Kashrus Kurrents, Fall 2022

Shehecheyanu is part of many occasions and rituals. In the parlance of the
Gemara, it is often referred to as zman, the blessing of time. This bracha
expresses appreciation for special occasions in our lives – things that only
happen from time to time.

It is especially interesting that the minhagim of when Shehecheyanu
is said are often not in line with the strictest letter of the law. This
article will explore some of the common – and uncommon – halachos and minhagim
of this bracha relevant to the Moadim.

Times
of Holiness

Shehecheyanu is said at the onset of every Yom Tov to mark the increased
holiness of the day.[1] Although
it may be said ‘even in the marketplace’ once Yom Tov has arrived, the
implication of the Gemara in several places is that the ideal time to say Shehecheyanu
is during Kiddushand, indeed, it is included in the standard text
of Kiddush.[2]
Nevertheless, the common custom is that women […]

Seeing the Forest From the Bees

By: Rabbi Tzvi Rosen

Kashrus Kurrents, Fall 2022

Eretz zavas chalav u’devash was surely music to Moshe Rabbeinu’s ears, and no doubt filled his heart with anticipation of a yeshua.

When the Ribono
Shel Olam commissioning Moshe to assume the leadership of Bnei Yisroel at
the Sneh, He promised that Bnei Yisroel were to be emancipated from
their servitude in Egypt and brought to a wonderful land, an eretz zavas chalav u’devash, a land
flowing with milk and honey. This description surely conjured
up the glorious image of a land abounding in delicious, sweet milk and heavenly
honey, a land of prosperity and, on a deeper level, an exceptional makom
that exuded kedusha v’tahara (sanctity and holiness) and the Ribono Shel
Olam’s special Providence.

The
description eretz zavas chalav u’devash not only serves as a beautiful
metaphor to lavish praise on Eretz Yisroel. The Gemara Bechoros points
out that this possuk is actually the mekor (source) for
permitting milk produced by a kosher mammal, as well as honey made […]

Thoughts For Food and Food For Thought: Kedushas Ha’achilah

By: Rabbi Nisson Dov Miller

Kashrus Kurrents, Fall 2022

During the Yamim Noraim season, it is important to focus on
our potential, who we are now and who we want to be going forward. In that
light, I would like to touch on one aspect of the topic of קדש עצמך במותר לך – sanctifying yourself
through that which is permitted to you.[1] I would like to skim the surface of the topic
of kedushas ha’achilah – eating in a holy, noble manner.

My intent is to offer a few thoughts to help us eat a little
differently in this New Year of 5783. The Yamim Nora’im are an
auspicious time to start doing so, as it is the zman when we tend to be
in a more reflective frame of mind and become more receptive to lofty and
nuanced ideas, especially in areas of personal and spiritual growth.

Aizeh Hu Ashir: Who is
Wealthy?

The Chofetz Chaim offers a hashkafic insight related to the metzora.
The […]

Charting the Course of Shemita

By: Rabbi Sholom Tendler

Kashrus Kurrents, Summer 2022

Eretz Yisroel is known worldwide for its high-quality produce.
During non-Shemita years, a wide selection of Israeli produce items – among them: carrots, citrus fruits,
herbs, peppers, and radishes – are exported to North American markets. The
typical concern is to ensure that
proper terumos and maasros are taken. During Shemita, terumos
and maasros are not typically applicable[1],
but there is significant concern that the produce may be from Shemita.
If someone purchased Israeli produce from Shemita and paid cash (as
opposed to by check
or credit card), returning it to the store may also potentially violate the
prohibition of doing business with Shemita produce. If this happens by mistake, a rav
should be consulted.[2]

While it can be assumed that all vegetables currently on the
market are from the Shemita year,not all Israeli fruits yet on the market are from
the Shemita year. The Halacha is that the Shemita status of
fruits is determined by when they […]

A Consumer’s Guide to Shevi’is Produce

By: Rabbi Mordechai Frankel

Kashrus Kurrents, Summer 2022

The
Torah commands us to refrain from working the land of Eretz Yisroel during Shemita.
The possuk states that a person may work the land of Eretz Yisroel for
six consecutive years but must allow it to lie fallow during the Shevi’is
(seventh) year.[1]
This seventh year is known as Shemita.[2] The mitzvah applies to both
men and women.[3]
Even though time-bound positive commandments generally do not apply to women,
this mitzvah is an
exception and is equally incumbent upon them.[4]

The
Torah also commands us to sanctify every fiftieth year as Yovel.[5] However,
the Yovel year does not occur nowadays. This is due to the fact that Yovel
is sanctified only when the majority of Jews live in Eretz Yisroel.[6] By
the time of the destruction of the first Beis Hamikdash, the majority of Jews
had been exiled from Eretz Yisroel and Yovel no longer occurred. Although
Jews returned to Eretz Yisroel at […]

A Profile of Courage and Inspiration: A Trip To a Yerushalmi Otzar Beis Din

By: Rabbi Tzvi Rosen

Kashrus Kurrents, Summer 2022

Anyone
who has had the opportunity to visit Yerushalayim Ir HaKodesh, as
I recently did, will tell you that a must-see experience is a trip to the Geula
neighborhood on Erev Shabbos.

Rechov
Malchai Yisroel could very well be dubbed the commercial heart of the Chareidi community.
The stores pulsate with energy and electricity, while the streets teem with
traffic tie-ups, both on and off the sidewalks. It could be termed a
businessman’s dream or nightmare, depending on one’s ability to handle the
sheer crush of consumers. The side streets, on the other hand, are a labyrinth
of quiet residential apartments. One such quiet street is Rechov Yonah.

For six
out of seven years, the Stern family’s mirpeset (balcony) on Rechov
Yonah looks like any other mirpeset, but this year is not like the
others. During this year, shnas haShemita, the Stern’s mirpeset undergoes
an amazing transformation. Welcome to the Otzar of Bnei Brak – Jerusalem
Branch!

In brief,
the Otzar […]

The Otzar Beis Din: Shemita’s Treasure Trove

Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff, Rav & Rosh Kollel in Neve Yaakov, Jerusalem | Guest Contributor

Kashrus Kurrents, Summer 2022

An Otzar Beis Din is literally ‘a storehouse operated
by Beis Din.’ Why would Beis Din operate a warehouse? Before
explaining more fully the true purpose of an Otzar Beis Din, which is a halachically
approved method of distributing Shemita produce, we must first review
the halachos of Shemita. These rules fall under two general
categories:

(1) Laws of the Land

The Torah teaches that every seventh year is Shemita,
and we are prohibited from working the land of Eretz Yisroel. One may not plow,
plant, prune, or harvest one’s grapevines as an owner, or perform most other
agricultural work. Furthermore, one may not allow one’s land to be worked
during Shemita, even by an aino Yehudi.[1] One
may perform activities whose purpose is to prevent loss, such as watering
plants and trees so that they do not die.[2]

The landowner may not treat […]

Good to Go With Shabbatto!

By: Rabbi Mordechai Frankel

Kashrus Kurrents, Spring 2022

People look forward to Shabbos as a day to daven in shul and enjoy
the company of other Shomer Shabbos members of the community. Unfortunately,
there are people with mobility issues who are housebound on Shabbos and, for
them, Shabbos is a lonely day. But thanks to newly developed technology by
Movinglife, an Israeli firm, the housebound now are afforded a new opportunity
to rejoin the tzibbur and to enhance their enjoyment of Shabbos. We are
very excited to announce STAR-K certification of the Shabbatto folding scooter,
a new personal mobility device with a Shabbat Mode option.

The road to certification began with Movinglife contacting STAR-K
to discuss their project. After approaching STAR-K to seek certification, the
Movinglife management team met with Rav Moshe Heinemann shlit”a, STAR-K’s
posek and Rabbinic Administrator, at his home. This initial meeting
lasted a good few hours, during which Rav Heinemann explained in detail what he
would permit and what he would forbid for […]

Going Down Smooth: A Kosher Primer to Halachic Blending

By: Rabbi Sholom Tendler

Kashrus Kurrents, Spring 2022

There are few things as synonymous
with summer as a fresh, cold fruit smoothie, a classic hot weather staple for
many. During the summer months, the STAR-K hotline gets inundated with calls
from consumers requesting guidance to ensure their smoothies are as kosher as
they are delicious. While plain fruits and vegetables are often inherently kosher,
several of them do have a major kashrus nemesis: bugs! Those perfect looking
strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries frequently host several
common insects, like thrips, aphids and mites.

Another item that has been gaining
popularity are juiced vegetables. Kale, cilantro and spinach are among the more
popular vegetables that are juiced and then enjoyed as a drink. These, too, can
present a significant challenge to ensure that they are insect free.

The following is a short guide to
assist you in preparing your favorite kosher juiced or blended beverage.

No Checking Required

There are many delicious fruits and
vegetables that do not present any issue […]

It Depends Where They Stem From

By: Rabbi Tzvi Rosen

Kashrus Kurrents, Spring 2022

There
is a basic principle in Halacha: kol hayotzei m’tamei tamei, kol hayotzei
m’tahor tahor. The crux of that principle is that a product derived from a
non-kosher animal will be deemed not kosher (e.g., pig milk or ostrich eggs),
while a product derived from a kosher animal will be kosher (e.g., chicken eggs
and goat milk). This definition needs more investigation when it comes to stem
cells.

Before
we proceed with this discussion, let’s first step back to the Beginning, to the
Source of all that ‘stems.’

In the Beginning … There Was Change

Change
is sometimes beneficial, at times detrimental, frequently challenging, and often
intriguing. If we take a closer look, change is actually the underlying
force behind brias ha’olam (creation).

The
Ramban offers a riveting insight into unlocking the secret of brias ha’olam
when he draws us close and says, “and now, let me tell you the secret of
creation. The Ribono shel Olam created the world yesh mi’ayin – ex
nihilo […]

Wireless Security: A Mezuzah Primer

By: Rabbi Moshe Heinemann

Kashrus Kurrents, Spring 2022

Many people install alarm systems in their
homes to provide a sense of security. These systems, which may be wireless or
hard-wired, are dependent on a number of factors to operate properly: all contacts
need to be intact and connected to one another; all batteries in wireless
systems must be fully charged; the codes need to be properly set; and the entire
unit must be in good working order. All it takes is one faulty connection to
negate the whole system.

While installing man-made security systems on
our property is a reasonable act of hishtadlus, our true feeling of
security comes from the recognition that we have a Protector in heaven. The
Torah provides us with a spiritual security system: the
mezuzah attached to our doorpost. The Ribono
Shel Olam watches over our homes if we do His will, and our mezuzah is a direct
link to the ultimate ‘Central Station.’

Our
homes are protected, however, only if the mezuzah […]

Global Brands Team Up with STAR-K in Israel

By: Avrom Pollak

Recognizing
the high demand for popular brand name food imports with a Mehadrin hashgacha
in Israel was the impetus three years ago for opening our STAR-K Israel office.
We felt uniquely qualified to begin working with Israel’s largest food
distributors due to our reputation of always maintaining a high degree of
professionalism, our food technology expertise, and worldwide presence in the
global marketplace.

STAR-K
was fortunate in teaming up with Rabbi Ahron Haskel who, with his many years of
experience, accepted our offer to become director of STAR-K Israel[1].
Along with his keen understanding of the intricacies of the Israeli food market
and the high regard that both kashrus professionals and food distributors have
for Rav Haskel, he was the perfect choice for this newest STAR-K venture.
Distributors such as Israel Beer Breweries Ltd (IBBL)/Coca-Cola, Osem/Nestlé, Strauss,
and Tnuva were equally pleased with the new opportunities to import Mehadrin
products for the Israeli public.

Something to Drink To!

STAR-K
has also been very active in providing the […]

From the STAR-K BMG Chabura: First Aide – Addressing the Halachic Challenges of Domestic and Special Needs Aides in the Home

By: Rabbi Yaakov Heinemann

Kashrus Kurrents, Winter 2022

Many
families find themselves caring for aging parents or a special needs child and require
additional assistance. Hiring a live-in, an aide, or full-time cleaning help who
is an aino Yehudi can create many real halachic concerns. Here
are some of the issues we address in this article:

Basar Shenis’aleim
Min Ha’ayin: Meat which has been left out of the watch of a Yehudi.Yichud Keilim and Bishul
Akum: Kosher utensils which have been left unattended with an aino
Yehudi and their change in status when used by an aino Yehudi.Stam Yeinum: Wine which may
have been handled by an aino Yehudi in a way that would forbid a Yehudi
from drinking it.Yichud: If a Jewish
man or woman is left alone with a person of the opposite gender.

Basar Shenis’aleim Min Ha’ayin

The Gemara addresses a concern called basar shenis’aleim min ha’ayin about a bird that may have switched a piece of kosher meat which was not being watched […]

Sushi: The Birth of a Yiddishe Meichel

By: Rabbi Tzvi Rosen

Kashrus Kurrents, Winter 2022

Our numerous sojourns through Galus not
only defined and influenced the minhagim emerging from those foreign
lands, but also infused our cuisine with bursts of ethnic diversity – pierogi and cholopshkes from
Poland, couscous and harira from Morocco, goulash and strudel from Austro-Hungary,
and gravlax from Scandinavia. Our seudos feature dips from around the
world – schug from Yemen, hummus from the Levant, guacamole from Mexico,
and matbucha from Morocco. As our migration advanced to the shores of the goldene
medina, kosher restaurants sprang up that offered consumers a bevy of
ethnic choices, from Chinese won ton soup and Italian calzones to Persian
kebabs and Lebanese shawarma.

The latest entry to that diverse menu is the
proliferation of sushi – a traditional dish from Japan – that has been wildly
embraced by Jewish communities everywhere and is now nearly as popular as apple
pie (or potato kugel). It has found a place of prominence in virtually every
kosher restaurant, wedding […]

Feeding Your Pet: Barking Up the Right Tree

By: Rabbi Zvi Goldberg

Updated April 2023

Click HERE for the Pesach 2023 Pet Food List.

To some people, the concept that there are restrictions regarding what can be fed to animals may seem amusing. They wonder, “Really now, must dogs also eat kosher?” Of course, animals don’t need to eat kosher food. However, Halacha clearly instructs people regarding what, how and when to feed them.

The Talmud Yerushalmi1 states that before acquiring an animal, one must be sure he will be able to properly provide for it. Certainly, the owner must also know the applicable halachos. The following is a discussion of some of these halachos, including the subjects of meat and milk mixtures, Pesach, buying and selling non-kosher pet food, feeding animals on Shabbos and Yom Tov, and feeding animals before you eat.

STAR-K is not necessarily recommending ownership of pets; rather, we are providing information for those owners who require it. We […]

The Kashrus, Shabbos, and Pesach Guide to Cosmetics

By: Rabbi Dovid Heber

Updated January 2023

Ezra Hasofer established ten takanos (laws) covering a wide spectrum of Jewish life.1 The purpose of these takanos was to enhance Torah study, Shabbos, the Jewish communal court system, and the sanctity of the Jewish home and marriage. One of the takanos was that salesmen should travel from town to town to supply perfume and fragrances to the women of each community.2 It is clear that these items were important in Jewish life since ancient times.

The STAR-K hotline receives numerous inquiries relating to cosmetics and halacha. One must know the answers to questions regarding these products that are commonly used. Does lipstick require kosher certification? During Pesach, may one use perfume or makeup that contains chometz? Are any cosmetics permissible for use on Shabbos and Yom Tov?

Because these halachos are complex, it is important for consumers to have a clear grasp of the numerous issues and […]

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