Ask the Rabbi

STAR-K CERTIFICATIONrealizes that there is no substitute for a person's own Rav. However, in today's busy and connected world many people have difficulty getting in touch with their Rabbanim when they are needed. In an effort to offer a solution to this challenge, STAR-K launched its Institute of Halachah as a public service. Over the years, the agency's Kashrus Hotline has answered more and more halachic questions beyond the scope of Kashrus information, from consumers the world over, beyond the standard steady stream of inquiries regarding the kosher status of foods and certified Sabbath mode appliances which has made the STAR-K Kosher Hotline famous. The formation of a separate official division within STAR-K testifies to the need for addressing these issues.

The Institute of Halachah is directed by HaRav Mordechai Frankel, under the guidance of HaRav Moshe Heinemann, STAR-K's Rabbinic Administrator. It is an invaluable resource for a diverse array of rabbis to discuss general halachic matters, as well as gain access to source materials for shiurim and answers to congregants' questions.

Shailos may emailed using the form below, or called into the Institute of Halacha at 410-484-4110 x238. Rabbi Frankel or on occasion another STAR-K Rabbi will respond to your email or return your call if you leave a message and phone number.

Previously Asked Questions

Comments or questions regarding these answers can be emailed to halacha@star-k.org. Only generic questions and answers are posted here. All sensitive questions and answers are kept strictly private.

Halacha Questions

What is done on Shabbos if all the members of a minyan are kohanim? How is the calling up done? And what is done if on a Shabbos there is minyan with let’s say eight kohanim, one levi and one yisrael? Is there a general rule or a formula?

Here are some of the different possibilities: Kohanim, no levi or Yisrael - call up one kohen after another. Kohanim, one levi or yisroel - call up the levi or yisroel first, then the kohanim one after another. Kohanim, two or three or four yisraelim - call up kohen first, the same kohen bemokom levi for the second aliya, then all the yisarelim present, then finish up with kohanim. Kohanim, five yisraelim or more - call up kohen first, the same kohen bemokom levi for the second aliya, then yisraelim. Kohanim, one levi, one Yisrael - calll up kohen, then levi, then yisrael, then kohanim. Kohanim, one levi, two yisraelim -calll up kohen, then levi, then two yisraelim, then kohanim. Kohanim, two leviim, two yisraelim - call up kohen, levi , yisrael, cohen, levi , yisrael, cohen. Only kohanim and leviim - call up kohen first, then levi, then continue alternating between kohen and levi. עי' בכל זה בשו"ע או"ח סי' קלה סעי' יב ובמ"ב שם ס"ק מד וס"ק מה.

Halacha Questions

Is one supposed to make brachos while standing or sitting? For instance, does one need to stand for the bracha of asher yotzar?

There is a difference between birchos hanehenin, birchas hamitzvos, and birchas hashevach. Birchos hanehenin may be said sitting. There are six birchas hamitzvos which should be said standing – the brachos on sefiras ha’omer, kiddush levanah, tzitzis, shofar, lulav and bris milah. Birchos hashevach, such as asher yotzar, may be said sitting. However, some Poskim write that it is a nice thing to say asher yotzar standing. כתב האבודרהם (ברכת השחר) בזה"ל, "ושש מצות הן שברכתן מעומד, סימן להם עלץ שלם: עומר, לבנה בחדושה, ציצית, שופר, לולב, מילה". והב"י (או"ח ריש סי' ח) הביא מספר ארחות חיים שלברכת הנהנין א"צ לעמוד. וכתב הפרי מגדים (פתיחה להל' ברכות אות י"ח) שגם ברכת השבח רשאי מיושב. אמנם עי' בשו"ת תשובות והנהגות (ח"ג סי' עו) שכתב "ברכת השבח ראוי לכתחילה לברך מעומד".

Halacha Questions

I've always had an "egg pot", but I see that other people don’t do that. Does one need to have a dedicated "egg pot"? Does one need to cook eggs in odd numbers? Also, do eggs need a hashgacha for Pesach or any other time of the year?

It used to be customary to have a special pot dedicated for eggs, due to the possibility that a blood spot would be found, rendering the egg and the pot non-kosher. A blood spot indicates the start of the formation of an embryo. However, nowadays, commercially sold eggs are generally not fertilized, so this is not a concern. Rav Moshe Feinstein writes that if a person finds a blood spot in a non-fertilized egg he should throw the egg away, but if he has cooked the egg it will not affect his pot. For this reason, it is not necessary nowadays to have a special pot for eggs, and it is not necessary to cook three eggs at a time. Chicken eggs do not need a hashgacha. However, since chicken feed contains chometz, it is customary not to eat eggs that where laid on Pesach. (Eggs which are bought from a local farm may have been laid by chickens that can come into contact with roosters, and the eggs could possibly be fertilized, so the above would not apply.) עי' בשו"ת אגרות משה (יו"ד ח"א סי' לו) שביצים שנולדו מספנא דארעא שנמצא בהם דם די לזרוק את הדם מלבד, ומן הראוי להחמיר ולאסור כל הביצה, ואם הביצה נתערב באחר אין להחמיר, וגם על הכלי אף כשנבשלה הביצה לבדה אין להחמיר אף לבעלי נפש. (אמנם בשו"ת אג"מ או"ח ח"ג סי' סא כתב על זה "והכלים אני נוהג להחמיר שלא להשתמש בהן מעת לעת ואין צורך להגעיל", וזהו שלא כדבריו הנ"ל שהכלים מותרים לגמרי, וצ"ע).

Halacha Questions

Can one eat cut-up fruit in non-kosher hotels?

Although one could argue that it is not a problem, Rabbi Heinemann has said that it is best to avoid eating the cut-up fruit. If practical, one can cut off a sliver of the fruit where it was cut and then eat the rest of of it. עי' בשו"ע ורמ"א יו"ד סי' צו סעי' ד שמי לימון של עכו"ם מותרים מפני שחותכים הרבה לימונים ביחד ואף אם נאסרו אלו שחתכו בראשונה נתבטלו באחרים. אמנם מו"ר ר' היינעאמן שליט"א אמר שלכתחלה יש לחשוש שבבתי מלון אין חותכים הרבה פירות ביחד.

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