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
I will be travelling to India. If I bring my own pan to a hotel, can I get eggs from the hotel and ask the hotel for permission to cook the eggs in my pan?
If the eggs are regular chicken eggs, and if the hotel lets you bring your own pan and do your own cooking in their kitchen, and if the stovetop grate on which you are putting your pan is clean, it would be fine. However, if a non-Jew turns on the fire and cooks the eggs, even if you are watching, it would be a problem of bishul akum.
עי' ברמ"א יו"ד סי' קיב סעי' ו שביצים שנתבשלו ע"י עכו"ם אסורים משום בישול עכו"ם.
Halacha Questions
Where does it say that listening to music is ossur during sefira? I have a Mishna Berura in front of me, but I can’t find it.
You can’t find this in the Mishna Berura because it is not there. The Mishna Berura brings the Magen Avraham that ”rikudin u’mecohlos” – dancing and going round in a circle - are forbidden during the sefirah. The Aruch Hashulchan also brings this halacha, and he writes that “rikudin u’mecholos” are forbidden and “kol shekein” – all the more so – playing musical instruments. Similarly, the Teshuvos Minchas Yitzchok provides sources proving that music is considered to be a bigger simcha than rikudin u’mecholos. The Igros Moshe adds that during sefira one cannot listen to music on the radio either. Presumably this psak is not limited specifically to the radio and would apply to any device which is used to play music.
עמ' במ"ב סי' תצג ס"ק ג לאסור ריקודין ומחולות בימי הספירה ומקורו במג"א כמש"כ בשעה"צ שם ס"ק ג, ועי' בערוך השלחן שם סעי' ב שכ"ש שאסור לזמר בכלי זמר, ועי' בשו"ת מנחת יצחק ח"א סי' קיא ובשו"ת אגרות משה או"ח ח"א סוף סי' קסו.
Halacha Questions
I came across a kosher for Passover product which had the following statement printed on the box ? ?Liquified legumous extracts, e.g. corn syrup, in kosher for Passover foods, are fully sanctioned for Ashkenazim and Sephardim alike by preeminent Orthodox halachic authorities including the renowned Posek Hador, R. Yitzchak Elchonon Spector ztl?. I have never seen such a statement before. What is this all about?
Ashkenazim do not eat kitniyos products on Pesach. However, R. Yitchok Elchonon Spector allows one to drink on Pesach a kitniyos-based liquor which had been produced before Pesach. He argues that the reason that the custom developed not to eat kitniyos on Pesach was due to the fact that kitniyos crops often grow near wheat fields and there is a concern that wheat kernels got mixed into the kitniyos. However, any wheat kernels mixed with the kitniyos that were used to produce this liquor would have been bottel before Pesach, and the final product certainly does not contact any intact grains of wheat. However, R. Yitchok Elchonon Spector himself notes that the Chayei Odom seems to forbid this. The Avnei Nezer and other Poskim also disagree with this heter, and the minhag is to be machmir and not rely on this heter. Therefore, an Ashkenazi should not eat this product on Pesach.
עי' שו"ת באר יצחק מהגרי"א ספקטור או"ח סי' יא ושו"ת אבני נזר סי' שעג וספר מרחשת סי' ג
Halacha Questions
I have an opportunity to do the mitzvah of shiluach hakan, as an Orange-breasted Robin made a nest and laid four eggs. The nest is on my property, on a bush right outside my front door. I understand that I need to be mafkir the nest and eggs in front of three people. My question is: Does my wife have to be mafkir the nest and eggs as well since we own the property jointly, or does halacha consider me the sole owner of the nest and eggs? If my wife has to be mafkir as well, can she make me a shliach to be mafkir on her behalf?
It is possible that the nest and eggs are automatically considered to be hefker without you saying anything, but it is a good idea for you to explicitly be mafkir them in front of three people. It is sufficient for you to be mafkir, and your wife does not need to do so.
בשו"ת אגרות משה (יו"ד ח"ד סי' מה) כתוב "אם אחד טוען שאין זה זכות בשבילו ולא רצה לזכות יש להאמינו גם למפרע ולא קנה, וממילא יכול עדיין לקיים מצות שילוח הקן". ולפי"ז אם רוצה לקיים המצוה ואין זה זכות לו שיזכה חצירו א"צ להפקיר. וכן צידד הגר"ח קנייבסקי שליט"א (בתשובות בספר שלח תשלח עמ' קיז). אמנם הגרי"ש אלישיב זצ"ל (שלח תשלח עמ' סח הובא באשרי האיש יו"ד ח"ב עמ' קמב) חולק על זה. ואם כבר קנה לו חצירו, דעת הגר"ח קנייבסקי שליט"א (שם עמ' קיז ועמ' קיט) שיכול להפקיר את הביצים, לכתחילה בפני ג' (ובספר שלח תשלח עמ' עא כתב שכן שמע מנכדו של בעל האגרות משה בשם סבו, אבל בעמ' עב שם כתב שהגרי"ש אלישיב זצ"ל אמר שהפקר אינו מועיל לזה). ועכ"פ נראה שא"צ האשה להפקיר, שכל מה שקנתה אשה קנה בעלה. ועי' במ"ב סי' תלד ס"ק טו שא"א לעשות שליח להפקר.
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