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
If a person wants to give money to someone else and be repaid with interest, the two of them need to jointly write and sign a heter iska. If the two people who want to write a heter iska are in two different cities, how is it done?
ne of them can write and sign the heter iska and then fax it to the other person to sign as well.
פשוט שאין זה גרוע ממש"כ הקיצור שו"ע סי' סו סעי' ז "אם השעה דחוקה ואי אפשר להם לכתוב שטר עיסקא יכולין להתנות כל הדברים הנזכרים לעיל בעל פה".
Halacha Questions
In Yoreh Deah (siman 118:9) we see that all simanim should not be left in the hand of a non-Jew. How then do hashgachos rely on non-Jews to print their siman on the wrappers? A similar question: Where do we find that a siman printed by a non-Jew is a siman at all? It is true that an eid echad is sufficient to verify that a product is kosher, but a non-Jew is halachically not considered an eid echad. Shouldn’t any product which has a kashrus concern need a halachically valid eid echad?
Anyone in the world who wanted to could conceivably copy the Star-K symbol and put it on their product. But if they did that, someone in the kashrus world would soon enough realize that the symbol was fraudulent, and the Star-K would be able to legally require the company to destroy the packaging. Companies mass-produce the packaging, and the loss would be significant. Furthermore, the Star-K would ask retail stores which carry the product to pull it from their shelves, which they generally will do. We are only choshed that someone will cheat if there is some hanaah to them, which is not the case here.
Halacha Questions
I recently got into an argument with my wife, and during the argument I said "I swear on my children's lives that I did not do such and such" .... I am almost 100% positive I did not do what I swore about - but I am uncomfortable about the statement and swearing that I did. How can I annul this or fix this?
The only suggestion I have is to give some money to tzedakah. Tzedaka tatzil mi'maves.
Halacha Questions
My mother loves touring and sightseeing, and she wants to go see the Acropolis in Athens. Is there a problem going there or not?
I don't think that people believe in Greek mythology any more, and I doubt that people are actively worshipping Greek Gods there. Bittul by a non-Jew helps for an avodah zorah of theirs. One can assume that there are people who over the years have treated this sight with disrespect, which is automatically a bittul. Furthermore, the fact that the Acropolis is a ruin which is not being rebuilt constitutes a bittul of the avodah zorah. I wouldn’t necessarily have chosen this as the optimal place for a frum person to go for vacation, but if your mother wants to go and see the Acropolis then she may do so.
