Food is one of the bases of Jewish culture. Questions with this tag relate to laws of food or anything pertaining to food.
7
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2answers
121 views
How do we operationally define kitniyos?
I've heard/read much debate on whether certain plants qualify as kitniyos, such as snow peas and quinoa. What exactly halachically defines "kitniyos?" is it based on what was popular in 13th century ...
5
votes
2answers
278 views
Does instant coffee (regular - not decaffeinated) need a Hashgacha?
There are certain raw ingredients that do not require a Hashgacha (salt, water, eggs, etc.). Does instant coffee (regular - not decaffeinated) need a Hashgacha? If yes, why?
3
votes
2answers
230 views
Biblical evidence for not eating bread on passover?
Can someone cite lines from the Torah that specify what Jews should eat during Passover? I'm aware that Jews don't eat leavened bread during Passover. Where does this rule come from?
6
votes
3answers
201 views
What is the beracha on gnocchi?
According to Wikipedia, this is Gnocchi: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gnocchi
How do I know which beracha to make considering it is made from potatoes and is not a normal pasta? Should I just stick ...
6
votes
2answers
860 views
At a non-kosher restaurant, is sliced raw fish kosher?
At a non-kosher restaurant, is thinly-sliced raw fish kosher?
Let's assume one sees the preparer clean the knife and cut from the whole fish.
Also, let's assume this raw fish is sashimi — ...
2
votes
0answers
81 views
Why does a hamentash have three sides and filling? [closed]
All Hamentashen that I've seen have three sides and all Hamentashen have filling.
Why is that?
9
votes
5answers
239 views
Is there anywhere that you can get round machine Matzos?
Hand Matzos always seem to be round, yet machine Matzohs seem to be square. Is there any company anywhere that produces round machine Matzos? Why not?
5
votes
1answer
73 views
Machine shmurah whole-wheat matza?
Usually in the store I can find machine-made shmurah matzah, and machine-made whole-wheat matza, but never machine-made whole-wheat shmurah matzah. Does anyone know if such a product is available, ...
5
votes
0answers
65 views
Fasting for Medical Recovery
Yesterday, a request was publicized in the name of R' Chaim Kanievsky to accept a fast in the afternoon to fast today for the medical recovery of R' Y.S. Elyashiv, unless it interferes with one's ...
11
votes
2answers
251 views
Starbucks VIA on shabbat
Someone recently mentioned in a conversation about making/ not making tea on shabbat with a tea bag, that the Starbucks VIA coffee is micro-ground vs how ever regular instant coffee is made and that ...
8
votes
1answer
125 views
What would the beracha be on tree-leaves?
What blessing would one make on leaves from [woody] trees that are routinely eaten? Is it ha'eitz, because they came from a tree? Is it ha-adama, because they're not "fruit" but are vegetative? Is it ...
8
votes
3answers
191 views
What Bracha did they make on the Mahn?
Did the Jews make a Bracha on eating the Mahn? Which Bracha did they make?
7
votes
1answer
107 views
Papaya - Ha'Etz or Ha'Adama?
I have heard that there is a dispute as to which Bracha you should make on papaya, Ha'Etz or Ha'Adama? Why? (sources)
4
votes
1answer
129 views
Shabbos Shira - putting out bread for the birds
Is there a problem with putting out bread for birds on Shabbos (in a case where there is no carrying issues)?
11
votes
1answer
187 views
Mushrooms in a Vineyard
The bracha on a mushroom is "shehakol" because the Talmud (Berachot 40b) correctly (I think) states that mushrooms do not derive their nutrients from the ground.
If a mushroom is growing in a ...
12
votes
1answer
119 views
In what way are mushrooms considered “non-nutritive”?
The Mishnah (Eruvin 26b) states that water and salt can't be used as the food for eruv chatzeiros or eruv techumin (thus Rashi; according to Tosafos only the latter). Rashi explains that this is ...
11
votes
1answer
169 views
In a bulk food store, must I ask to see the original label every time I return and buy my favorite food?
I know that where I live, some foods don't need kosher certification. But most do.
Say I go to a reliable bulk food store, ask to see the original bucket that a certain food came in, see a reliable ...
10
votes
2answers
150 views
Nursing in the bathroom
Per Food in bathroom it is forbidden to eat in the bathroom. Can a lady nurse in the bathroom or is it considered like eating in the bathroom? (sources)
3
votes
1answer
103 views
What is the source for the garlic and sugar at a Pidyon HaBen?
At a Pidyon HaBen I have observed that the Minhag is to put sugar cubes and garlic cloves on the tray with the baby. What is the source of this Minhag? And why specifically sugar and garlic?
1
vote
1answer
191 views
Is Japanese whisky kosher?
Here's an interesting article about whisky produced in Japan. Have any of the Kashrut authorities said anything about whether such whisky requires supervision? Do any such whiskies have supervision?
...
5
votes
2answers
128 views
Wash without saying a bracha and it's not pesach?
Inspired by this SMS Shut
Bread without Water Q: I am stuck in a place without water. How can I
eat bread? A: In extreme circumstances, one my wrap both hands with
plastic bags, or gloves, in ...
3
votes
1answer
85 views
Coffee Urns left out throughout the week?
Many people still keep to the halacha that one isn't allowed to drink from water kept in metal overnight.
How would one be allowed to drink from a Coffee Urn on Shabbos?
How could one drink from a ...
4
votes
1answer
235 views
Coffee Urns on Shabbos
I've heard that there is a dispute among poskim if one is allowed to use such an urn on Shabbos (also here)
as the outside water tube gets cold over Shabbos. Both sides agree that "Yesh bishul achar ...
4
votes
2answers
68 views
In Nishmas, what is “and sustained us in plenty” doing amongst times of trouble?
In Nishmas said on Shabbos and Yom Tov mornings we say, “you redeemed us from Egypt and delivered us from the house of bondage; you fed us in famine” (all describing times of trouble) “and sustained ...
6
votes
1answer
161 views
How long until a bean chulent is totally cooked (mevushal kol tzorko)?
My son has started raiding the chulent Friday night. To be able to return the chulent crock pot back to the casing, everything must be fully cooked. I rarely cook with beans, but would like to try ...
10
votes
1answer
69 views
Making a Bracha on disliked foods
If you, for some reason, must eat food you despise and will gain no enjoyment from it do you still need to make a bracha?
8
votes
4answers
602 views
Who determines the kosher status of “new” foods?
Who determines the kosher status for "new" processed foods (e.g. Jell-O)? A few orthodox rabbis' approval? General consensus by the Jewish religious community? Certain kosher standards organizations? ...
10
votes
1answer
630 views
Using a plata on Shabbat
I have a plata--an electric warming tray that does not have knobs or adjustments. I can leave it plugged in throughout Shabbat. I want to use it correctly when I have guests and to up my observance.
...
6
votes
2answers
163 views
Is olive oil unhealthy?
The Gemara in Brachot 35b says that the proper bracha on pure olive oil is "Borei Peri HaEtz". However, it says that this refers to when you mixed the oil with some אניגרון which Prof Marcus Jastrow ...
7
votes
2answers
627 views
Bracha on Food for Life Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Grain Bread
Food for Life manufactures a bread under the Hashgacha of the Kaf-K called Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Grain Bread
This bread is flourless and has the following ingredients. Organic Sprouted Whole Wheat, ...
6
votes
3answers
384 views
Can I trust a non-kosher home's coffee pot?
I thought I heard that its ok to use a coffee pot in a non-kosher home, but I could be mistaken. Does anyone know?
2
votes
5answers
146 views
Magicians' Inability to Interpet Pharaoh's Dreams
The Posuk says (Genesis 41:3):
וְהִנֵּה שֶׁבַע פָּרוֹת אֲחֵרוֹת עֹלוֹת אַחֲרֵיהֶן מִן הַיְאֹר רָעוֹת מַרְאֶה וְדַקּוֹת בָּשָׂר וַתַּעֲמֹדְנָה אֵצֶל הַפָּרוֹת עַל שְׂפַת הַיְאֹר
Translated as:
...
4
votes
1answer
55 views
2
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1answer
1k views
Reliability of the OKS
I dont know if this type of question is allowed but I was told to ask it here
The symbol is on some restaurants in the NY tri-state area (like Crumbs Bake Shop for example) and I have heard of quite ...
4
votes
1answer
111 views
Do I have to know what brucha I'm making before I begin saying the brucha?
If I'm eating an apple, can I say "Baruch atah Hashem elokenu melech haolam" before I decide that the brucha I'm making is a Haeitz, and not Mezonot, Shahakol, or Haadamah?
1
vote
2answers
185 views
Can jews eat unclean animals when blood is removed?
http://www.mechon-mamre.org/p/pt/pt0512.htm
Notwithstanding thou mayest kill and eat flesh within all thy gates,
after all the desire of thy soul, according to the blessing of the
LORD thy God ...
8
votes
1answer
193 views
May one chew gum in the bathroom?
As per this post - Food in bathroom - one may not eat in the bathroom. May one chew gum in the bathroom? Is it considered eating? Connected to this post - Can you walk and chew gum at the same time?
14
votes
2answers
159 views
Can you walk and chew gum at the same time?
Rambam (Hil. Edus 11:4) writes (translation from here):
...base people are disqualified as witnesses by Rabbinic decree. This refers to people who walk through the marketplace eating in the ...
7
votes
3answers
97 views
Is there any reason (based on the laws of kashrut) that one cannot brine kashered meat?
On Seasoned Advice, there is a question regarding brining kosher birds. Is there any halachic reason that one cannot brine meat that has already been kashered?
10
votes
2answers
311 views
In what way is kosher chicken different from brined chicken?
Over on Seasoned Advice, there have been a number of questions related to the nature of kosher meat and the amount of salt absorbed by the meat. Most recently, In what way is kosher chicken different ...
0
votes
0answers
202 views
Can I kasher a ceramic mug? [closed]
I have a ceramic mug which may have been used for a non-kosher hot beverage. I'm really not sure, I'm thinking I used it for coffee made at my parents' house a while back, though I'm not entirely ...
12
votes
2answers
322 views
Is it permitted to take extra food from a buffet?
If you're at a hotel and there is a buffet meal, and you can take as much as you want, is there any problem taking a few extra rolls or any of the food back to your room for later?
I assume if I'm not ...
4
votes
2answers
96 views
Why did Eisav say “red” twice?
Genesis 25:30 says:
... הַלְעִיטֵנִי נָא מִן הָאָדֹם הָאָדֹם הַזֶּה ...
... "Pour into [me] some of this red, red [pottage] ..."
Why did Eisav feel the need to say "red" twice?
10
votes
1answer
148 views
May one reheat food on top of a crock-pot or urn on Shabbos?
According to my understanding cooked or baked food that is currently cold, may be placed on top of a pot that is on a blech on Shabbos to warm up.
What about putting cooked or baked foods on top of ...
4
votes
1answer
145 views
What ingredients are dairy?
So I have this product in my hand. I'm assuming that I can't always rely on the Kosher certification to indicate dairy status. I look over at the ingredients panel...
What are the ingredients I ...
5
votes
3answers
56 views
Noach: why the people's food mentioned first
בראשית ו כא:
ואתה קח לך מכל מאכל וכו' והיה לך ולהם לאכלה
Why is Noach and his family's food mentioned before the animals' food? The halacha is animals eat before humans.
3
votes
1answer
78 views
Why was Noach allowed to eat fish?
The Ramban (Bereshit 1:29) says the reason Noach was allowed to eat animals is because he maintained them in the Ark. If he would not have brought them into the Ark they would all have perished, so ...
2
votes
1answer
45 views
What is the significance of the Diet Information in Shas
It strikes me as I am learning Kesubos that the Gemara takes the time to speak of extensively the shortcomings and praises of dates (the fruit). I know the gemara does the same with cabbage and other ...
3
votes
2answers
119 views
Is one allowed to chew gum on Shabbos without an Eiruv?
If food is in my hand, I would assume I'm not allowed to carry it. What about, though, if it's in my mouth? For example: chewing gum or sucking a candy.
Would those be permissible outside where ...
3
votes
0answers
88 views
Can I use Bounty to drain my food? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Kashrus of Paper Towels
Using paper towels such as bounty can be very useful when on a diet for draining the oil off of foods.
However, I heard rumors that bounty is ...
