Beware: Glatt May Not Always Mean Kosher

Beware: Glatt May Not Always Mean Kosher

By: Rabbi Moshe Heinemann

Published Summer 2008

It is written in our Torah, “Ubosor basodeh treifa lo socheilu” (Shmos 22:30), it is forbidden to eat treif meat.  While the expression “treif” has become the universal connotation for food that is not kosher, in truth, the word treif specifically refers to an animal whose flesh was torn or ripped.  Technically speaking, if a kosher species of animal or fowl was attacked by a predator, the meat of the victim may be deemed treif, non-kosher.  However, the meat of an animal improperly kosher slaughtered is not treifa, it is called a neveila.  Technically, meat of a non-kosher animal species is the meat of a temeiah.  Yet, the term “treif” has found its way through the portals of the slaughterhouse, as well as the aisles of the non-kosher meat section of the supermarkets.  No matter what the name, all of these categories of meat […]

Creating a Round Cake Decorated as a Sun | Doing Dental Work on a Parent

Creating a Round Cake Decorated as a Sun | Doing Dental Work on a Parent

By: Rabbi Mordechai Frankel

Kashrus Kurrents Summer 2008

Inaugural Issue: Shailos From The Institute Of Halacha
Kashrus Kurrents is proud to launch a new column, “Insights from the Institute”.  In this regular feature, Rabbi Mordechai Frankel will share with our readership intriguing shailos from his email inbox. The following is a sampling of the types of interesting questions that will be addressed in future columns.

STAR-K Launches the Institute of Halacha

STAR-K Launches the Institute of Halacha

Summer 2008

The Mishnah teaches us, “appoint for yourself a rav,” a Torah guide from whom you can acquire clarity through wisdom.  But, what happens when you do not have a personal rav, or you live in a large Jewish community but your Rav is unavailable and time is of the essence for your halachic query?

STAR-K realizes that there is no substitute for a person’s own rav.  In an effort to offer a possible solution, it has launched its Institute of Halacha as a public service.  Over the years, the agency’s Kashrus Hotline has answered generic halachic questions from kosher consumers the world over, including inquiries regarding the kosher status of foods and certified Sabbath mode appliances.  The formation of a separate official division within STAR-K testifies to the need for addressing these issues.

The Institute of Halacha is directed by HaRav Mordechai Frankel, under the guidance of HaRav Moshe Heinemann, STAR-K’s […]

Star-K Side Bar Fall 2008

Star-K Side Bar Fall 2008

Other News From The STAR-K

STAR-K CERTIFICATION

TeleKosher Conference Program for Local Kashrus Agencies

STAR-K’s 5th Annual Kashrus Training Program

STAR-K’s 5th Annual Kashrus Training Program

Published Fall 2008

What do Plano, Texas; Thornhill, Ontario; and Olney, Maryland have in common?  They are just some of the hometowns of STAR-K’s fifth annual Kashrus Training Seminar participants.

Profiles of Courage and Inspiration

Profiles of Courage and Inspiration

By: Rabbi Tzvi Rosen

Published Fall 2008

Part I – A Trip to the Otzer Bais Din
Dateline:  Erev Shabbos Kodesh, Parshas Balak, 8 Tammuz
Place:  Geula, Yerushalayim

Charting the Course of Shmitta

Charting the Course of Shmitta

By: Rabbi Dovid Stein

Published Fall 2008

The mitzvah of shmitta poses many challenges for those who live in Eretz Yisrael.  The main challenge, of course, is for the farmers.  However, the consumer has his challenges, as well.  It is always preferable to purchase produce from stores that have reliable kosher certification to ensure that there are no halachic problems.  If there is no such store available, one must be certain not to transgress the laws of shmitta in the purchase, consumption, or interaction with shmitta produce.  These are the different categories of halachos that one has to take into consideration:

Heating & Cooling – Using Ice from an Ice Maker on Shabbos | Using an Electric Hot Water Heater on Yom Tov

Heating & Cooling – Using Ice from an Ice Maker on Shabbos | Using an Electric Hot Water Heater on Yom Tov

By: Rabbi Mordechai Frankel

Kashrus Kurrents Winter 2008

Q: My freezer has an ice making machine, which has an arm that rises as ice is produced and lowers when ice is removed. I generally turn the machine off before Shabbos by lifting the arm until it is fully raised. If I forget to do this, can I remove ice on Shabbos from the ice maker?

A: There are various types of ice maker machines available, and they do not all work in the same way.  However, many of the commonly available models employ the following mechanism.  The ice making process begins when the ice maker signals the water valve to open, and a specified amount of […]

Birchas Hachama 5769

Birchas Hachama 5769

By: Rabbi Dovid Heber

Published Winter 2008

To hear a comprehensive shiur on Birchas Hachama, click here.
Listen to a teleconference interview about Birchas Hachama, click here.
To see Sefer Shaarai Zmannim referenced in this article, click here.

Bayamim Haheim Bazman Hazeh: Olive Oil – The Contemporary Industry of Antiquity

Bayamim Haheim Bazman Hazeh: Olive Oil – The Contemporary Industry of Antiquity

By: Rabbi Tzvi Rosen

Published Winter 2008

Olive oil, the liquid gold of the ancients, was touted for its nutritional, medicinal, and cosmetic value.  As a fuel, olive oil illuminated the home; as a food ingredient, it was a feast to the palate.  Olive oil production is one of the world’s oldest industries.  Interestingly, much of this ancient industry has not changed over the millennia.

Maris Ayin When Entering Non-Kosher Venues

Maris Ayin When Entering 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

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

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

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

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

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.

Using a Warming Tray on Shabbos

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

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 Grape Seeds of Worth

The Grape Seeds of Worth

By: Rabbi Tzvi Rosen

Published Spring 2010

Webster defines oil as any greasy substance that does not dissolve in water. There are many different categories of oil, which are obtained from numerous sources i.e. animal, vegetable and mineral. Edible oils are typically derived from animal and vegetable sources. These can be broken down into two categories: fixed and volatile. Fixed oil refers to oil that does not evaporate under normal conditions, while volatile oil or essential oil evaporates easily. Essential oils are used in flavors; fixed oils are used in cooking and baking. This article will discuss fixed oils, vegetable oils and seed oils. More specifically, we will explore grape seed oil, including how it is manufactured, its halachic ramifications, and the brilliance of Chazal.

Kosher Certification-Food Safety Quality’s Eyes and Ears

Kosher Certification-Food Safety Quality’s Eyes and Ears

By: Dr. Avrom Pollak

Published Summer 2010

Earlier this year, a couple of items in the secular media caught my attention.  I was particularly interested in them because they brought to mind how those who are not kosher observant view Kosher.

Opening Up A Can of Worms: The Anisakis Controversy

Opening Up A Can of Worms: The Anisakis Controversy

By: Rabbi Tzvi Rosen

Published Summer 2010

Toloyim – the name strikes fear in the hearts of the G-d fearing balabusta.  It seems that toloyim abound in the supermarket produce section in romaine lettuce, broccoli florets, fresh dill, cilantro, strawberries, and raspberries; the list is seemingly endless.  From nuts to flour and from pasta to raisins, kinim in Mitzrayim seems to pale in comparison to what the kosher consumers are confronting today.  The presence of insects in leafy greens, fruits, grains, and flour is nothing new.  In fact, there is a complete section in Shulchan Aruch dedicated exclusively to the halachos of parasites found in produce and other food items a/k/a Hilchos Toloyim.1

Eating in a Canvas Sukkah that Sways in the Wind

Eating in a Canvas Sukkah that Sways in the Wind

By: Rabbi Mordechai Frankel

Kashrus Kurrents Fall 2010

Q: I have been invited to eat out on Sukkos.  The sukkah has canvas walls which shake in the wind.  Is this a problem?

A: The Mishna1 states that a person can use the trunks of trees as a sukkah wall. This Mishna is referring to a scenario where the tree trunks are very close to one another, or the space between them has been filled with some other material, and the overhang of the tree branches will not invalidate the schach. The Gemara2 states that this is true only if the tree trunks do not sway.  If the tree trunks are supple and sway in a normal wind, the sukkah wall is not valid. The Shulchan Aruch3 codifies this halacha, and adds that if the tree trunks are supple one can tie them to each other in such […]