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
Are ramen noodles (e.g. Tradition soup) allowed to be cooked on Shabbos? Are they already cooked, and can we apply the rule of ein bishul achar bishul? How about cooking them in a kli sheini or kli shlishi?
One cannot necessarily assume that all the contents are fully cooked. Therefore, one should not heat them up on Shabbos in a kli rishon or kli sheini. Rabbi Heinemann is concerned that since they are nearly cooked, they are kalei habishul which could cook even in a kli shlishi. Furthermore, the Chazon Ish does not accept the premise of kli shelishi being different than kli sheini. Therefore, it is advisable not to cook Tradition soups on Shabbos even in a kli shlishi. The vegetables in the soup are freeze-dried and certainly cannot be cooked on Shabbos.
עי' בשו"ע או"ח סי' שיח סעי' ד-ה ובמ"ב שם ובחזו"א או"ח סי' נב ס"ק יח-יט.
Halacha Questions
In cases where amira le’akum is permitted on Shabbos, would it be permitted to ask Alexa to do it? For example, could you ask Alexa to turn on an air conditioner on Shabbos, if the heat is making you feel sick?
When you ask a non-Jew, it ultimately is his decision whether or not he does the melacha. However, when you speak to Alexa and it makes the air conditioner go on, you basically have a voice activated air conditioner which you are turning on yourself. One should not do this on Shabbos.
Halacha Questions
I daven in a small minyan during the week. The ba’al tefillah regularly begins chazaras hashatz when only six others have finished. Is that a problem? If I leave the minyan because of this, it may cause them not to have a minyan on some days.
In smaller minyanim it is not uncommon for the sheliach tzibbur to start chazoras hashatz after six people have finished shemoneh esrei. Although the sheliach tzibbur should actually wait until nine other people have finished shemoneh esrei, there are lenient opinions and there is no need to leave a minyan that follows those opinions.
עי' בשו"ע או"ח סי' קכד סעי' ד שצריך ט' אנשים להקשיב לחזרת הש"ץ ואם לאו קרוב להיות ברכותיו לבטלה, אמנם המג"א סי' נה ס"ק ח הביא בשם המהרי"ל שנוהגים להקל בו' אנשים. ועי' במ"ב שם ס"ק לב שהביא מחלוקת אם אפשר להצטרף לדבר שבקדושה יותר מאדם א' שאינו יכול לענות. והפמ"ג במשב"ז שם ס"ק ד ושו"ע הגר"ז שם סעי' ז כתבו שבחזרת הש"ץ כו"ע מודים שיש להחמיר. ועי' בפסקי תשובות סי' נה אות יא שכתב "לענין חזרת הש"ץ יש להחמיר עפ"י שיטת הפמ"ג ושו"ע הרב ודעימיה שתשעה עונין לעיכובא הוא, אך גם בזה יש מקום להקל בשעת הדחק כמהג"א בשם מהרי"ל".
Halacha Questions
We generally cook food on Friday and then transfer it to the oven just before Shabbos starts, with the oven set to turn off at the beginning of the meal. My son-in-law questioned that. Is there any problem with this?
The Rema writes that it is customary to allow this. He does conclude that it is “tov le’hachmir” not to do this if it is so close to Shabbos that were the food cold it would not have time to heat up before the onset of Shabbos. However, it is fine to do this if there is enough time from when you put your food into the oven until you are mekabel Shabbos that the food could have heated up to yad soledes had the oven been on the highest setting. Therefore, it is sufficient if there is merely a few minutes between when you do this and kabalas Shabbos.
עי' ברמ"א או"ח סי' רנג סוף סעי' ב שכל שהוא סמוך לקבל שבת שאם נצטנן הקדירה אי אפשר להרתיחה מבעוד יום דינו כמו בשבת עצמו לענין נתינה ע"ג האש ונהגו להקל וטוב להחמיר במקום שאין צורך כ"כ. ובשו"ת מנחת שלמה ח"ב סי' לד כתב שדי אם היה יכול להגיע לשיעור יד סולדת בו. ובספר אוצרות השבת עמ' תטו הביא שהגר"ח קנייבסקי שליט"א כתב "שמעתי בשם החזו"א שאפילו מעמיד על גבי אש קטנה, כיון שאילו היה מעמיד על גבי אש גדולה היה יכול להרתיח מותר".
