Machine Matzos: Timing is Everything!

By: Rabbi Tzvi Rosen

Reviewed March 2024

Meticulous, scrupulous and passionate are terms that describe the fervor, zeal and seriousness displayed by the kosher consumer regarding Pesach kashrus in general, and Pesach matzos in particular. The kosher consumer has become more sophisticated and savvy with each passing year. Kosher consumers are willing to pay top dollar for a quality kosher product. Pesach matzohs are no exception. Machine matzos with fine mehadrin hechsherim are readily available on the supermarket shelf. Are all machine matzos created equal?

Regarding matzah baking and the time parameters for chimutz, leavening, the Shulchan Aruch1states, “One should not leave the dough dormant, not for a moment.” If the dough is constantly being worked the chimutz process is impeded.However, the Shulchan Aruch continues, “If the dough is left dormant for a ‘mil’, the dough […]

Undercover: The Halachos of Schach

By: Rabbi Moshe Heinemann

Fall 2009

When our Torah speaks about the Festival of Sukkos it states, “Chag HaSukkos Taaseh Lecha B’Aspecha Migornecha U’Miyikvecha.”1 “The Sukkos holiday should be observed at the time that you harvest your grain and your wine,” during the fall. Our Chachamim, sages, have taught us that this pasuk has another esoteric meaning. The sukkah, in which we dwell during this chag, should be made from the unused parts of the harvesting grain and wine, namely the stalks of grain and twigs of the vine. These are the items that should be used for the schach, the covering, which is placed on top of the sukkah instead of a permanent roof.

Star-K Side Bar Spring 2009

Other News From The STAR-K

Star-K Kashrus Training Program-NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

Star-K Side Bar Summer 2009

Other News From The STAR-K

STAR-K CERTIFICATION

TeleKosher Conference Series

Maris Ayin Using Non-Kosher Venues

By: Rabbi Mordechai Frankel

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

By: Rabbi Tzvi Rosen

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.

Raising Cane: The Kashrus and Other Halachic Issues of Cane Sugar

By: Rabbi Zvi Goldberg

Published Summer 2009

It is noteworthy that in both Jewish and secular sources, the first recorded references to cane sugar are attributed to Jewish kings. In Shir HaShirim1, Shlomo Hamelech writes “Yaari Im Divshi,” “My forest with my honey.” Some commentators2 deem this to be referring to cane sugar and deduce that sugar canes are considered trees. Secular sources indicate that cane sugar was first used by man in Polynesia, and from there it spread to India. Darius of Persia invaded India, where he found “the reed which gives honey without bees”. Darius was the son of Achashveirosh and Esther[...] Read More

Star-K Side Bar Fall 2009

Other News From The STAR-K

UPCOMING STAR-K PROGRAM
to Enhance Kashrus Awareness for Mashgichos

When Non-Mevushal Wine Becomes Stam Yeinom | Shipping Packages for Shabbos Delivery

By: Rabbi Mordechai Frankel

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

By: Rabbi Tzvi Rosen

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.

Star-K Side Bar Winter 2009

The Reviews are In:
STAR-K’s Mashgicha Enrichment Program is a Big Hit

Using a Warming Tray on Shabbos

By: Rabbi Mordechai Frankel

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 […]

The Halachic Guide to Kiddush

By: Rabbi Dovid Heber

Published Winter 2009

One of the most beautiful scenes in Yiddishkeit is the family gathered around the table for Kiddush, a special moment for which we wait all week. On Yom Tov, the beautiful melody1 ushers in each of the Shalosh Regalim with much excitement.

The Reviews are In: STAR-K’s Mashgicha Enrichment Program is a Big Hit

08 | 15 | 2013

Published Winter 2009

The eighteen mashgichos who attended STAR-K’s Mashgicha Enrichment Program, November 2-3 in Baltimore, Maryland, had only one complaint: it wasn’t long enough. Although it lacked nothing in the way of organization or detailing of comprehensible and practical information, the women would have appreciated even more face time with the STAR-K experts. The experience of meeting fellow mashgichos from so many communities, being able to ask questions throughout the presentations, and the camaraderie felt by the program’s end, made it worth the trip!

Bracha On a Newly Flowering Tree: Birchas Ha’ilanos Guidelines

By: Rabbi Mordechai Frankel

Spring 2009

Q: There is a bracha which is recited once a year upon seeing a newly flowering tree. I have a number of questions regarding Birchas Ha’ilonos:

When is the optimal time to say this bracha? Does the bracha have to be said during the month of Nisan?

What rules apply concerning the location of the person when saying the bracha? How far away can you be from the tree when saying the bracha? Can you be inside a house or other structure? Can you be in a car? Is it necessary to be at a site where there is more than one tree?

What limitations are there regarding the type of tree over which this bracha may be recited? Does the tree need to be fruit bearing? How old should the tree be? Can the tree be orlah (less than three […]

The Visitor’s Halachic Guide to Hospitals

By: Rabbi Zvi Goldberg

Published Spring 2009
Updated Fall 2018

A person visiting a hospital patient is performing the great mitzvah of bikur cholim . It is one of the mitzvos for which a person reaps benefits in this world, while the principal reward is saved for the next world. While visiting the sick, some halachic issues may arise. This article addresses these issues from the visitor’s point of view. Questions affecting the patient (such as adjusting the bed, using the call button, and asking the staff to perform tasks on Shabbos ) are important issues that should be posed to one’s rabbi.