Food is one of the bases of Jewish culture. Questions with this tag relate to laws of food or anything pertaining to food.
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 ...
6
votes
1answer
55 views
How does the food part of an eiruv work?
I have heard (and daf yomi is reinforcing the impression) that an eiruv depends on two things: the boundary, and that there is some sort of communal food that is shared by those in the enclosed ...
6
votes
1answer
93 views
Presents on shabbas
Can one give a present on shabbas? If the answer is no, then how does it work when one eats by someones house the food one gets is a present (it is changing reshus). Sources please.
6
votes
0answers
126 views
The stolen maple syrup and kashrus
Does anyone know if there is going to be a kashrus problem with maple syrup next year?
A rather large amount of maple syrup was stolen last year. The thieves did not keep it in the original casks, ...
6
votes
0answers
67 views
Decorative food plating on Shabbath
This question asks about using an ice cream scoop on Shabbath, and an internet forum linked in the question has a discussion about the permissibility of decorative plating of food generally. According ...
5
votes
6answers
286 views
fish before meat - why?
To the best of my knowledge eating fish after meat has the same Halacha as eating meat after fish. You are supposed to eat a cracker and take a drink to seperate between them. Why is it most common ...
5
votes
2answers
175 views
Why is squeezing a ketchup bottle on Shabbos not considered Dosh (Melechet Dash)?
Why is squeezing a ketchup bottle on Shabbos not considered Dosh (Melechet Dash)?
5
votes
2answers
277 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?
5
votes
3answers
275 views
Seeking old Jewish recipes
What are some really old recipes that Jews are known to have used (actual recipes that say how to make the dish, not just names or descriptions of what was eaten like צלי קדר)? I'm seeking ...
5
votes
2answers
481 views
Eating Rice without a Sukkah
There's a general rule that non-Mezonos (or Hamotzi) items can be eaten outside a Sukkah (not should, but can). Does the same apply to rice, which is only "somewhat" Mezonos (Borei Nefashos is said ...
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.
5
votes
2answers
215 views
Can an immersion heater be used to kasher a sink? Does anyone have experience with this?
Normally, to "kasher" or "kosherize" a metal sink (from non-kosher to kosher, or before Passover), you clean it out well, make sure it's used for nothing hot for 24 hours, then pour boiling water all ...
5
votes
1answer
168 views
Can you eat the Beitza at the Seder?
The Halacha is not to eat roasted meat at the Seder, therfore you can not eat the Zeroa at the Seder. Can you eat the roasted egg (Beitza) at the Seder? (sources)
5
votes
5answers
325 views
Why do some people oppose Tav haYosher?
Is there a halachic reason to be opposed to Uri L'Tzedek and Tav haYosher? Why do some frum Jews oppose it?
Really the only things that I can find is that Uri L'Tzedek is left-wing and led by YCT ...
5
votes
4answers
391 views
Is Extra virgin olive oil kosher by default?
I was given extra virgin olive oil as a gift from Italy (picture below), and I wanted to see if that type of olive oil is treated like fruits and vegetables, or does it needs to have certification on ...
5
votes
2answers
193 views
Hardboiled eggs and salt water at the Seder
I've participated in only 3 different families' Passover Seders, so my experience is limited in terms of different families' traditions.
How widespread is the custom of eating a hardboiled egg in ...
5
votes
2answers
122 views
Sleeping on Food without a Bed
For example, if one is on an airplane, and puts food under his/her neighbors seat, and then the neighbor falls asleep, is the food permissible? Does the prohibition only apply where it's a bed, or ...
5
votes
2answers
146 views
Preparing the Beitzah for the Seder Plate
What is the appropriate way to prepare the Beitzah for the Seder Plate?
5
votes
4answers
159 views
What are Brochos differences of Sefardim and Ashkenazim?
For example, according to sefardim the bracha on matzo is mezonos (during the year), while it's hamotzi for Ashkenazim.
What are other differences between Ashkenazim and Sefardim with regards to ...
5
votes
2answers
91 views
Are coupons for Chometz - Chometz?
Are coupons for items which are chometz, chometz themselves? Do they have a status of chometz, or can they be dealt with on Pesach?
For example: Can one acquire coupons for grain cereals on Pesach ...
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 ...
5
votes
3answers
425 views
Is there a kashrus issue with paper towels?
Is there any concern about using paper towels with hot food? I know there are some who advise against using the first few and last few sheets during Pesach, due to the presence of starch-based glue ...
5
votes
1answer
89 views
How do I bake my own matza?
I'd really like to bake matza by hand. I know that it's impractical and inadvisable to try doing it on my own, but I hear that groups of people go to matza factories to do it. How do I find such a ...
5
votes
2answers
195 views
Meat at a Seudat Mitzvah
Is there any unambiguous source which says it is a halacha to eat "meat" at a Seudat miztvah?
I am aware of the many opinions which says that meat is only optional. I'm looking for sources which say ...
5
votes
3answers
118 views
Milchigs (dairy) on Shavuos - when is the proper time?
When is the proper time to eat dairy on Shavuos? (night meal, day meal, prior to day meal, Shul Kiddush)
5
votes
1answer
499 views
Tortilla in halachah?
Is a Tortillah considered lechem (bread), pas habab'knisin (cake/cracker/pie which assumes the status of bread AIUI when one "makes it a seudah"), or is it a stam mezunos? I haven't seen it explicitly ...
5
votes
1answer
113 views
Must I separate challah from pre-made dough?
If I buy ready-made bread dough or pizza dough, do I have to separate challah from it?
5
votes
1answer
54 views
Confectioners glaze - non alcoholic
Recently I read an article by Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff regarding confectioners glaze.
Confectioners glaze is manufactured from shellac, "a glandular secretion of the lac insect, Kerria lacca, a ...
5
votes
1answer
131 views
Muktzeh Meat- WHAT TO DO?
What can I do if....
Meat fell out of the Freezer and I want to put it back on Shabbos?
I have Ice cream or any other food like frozen Challah that I Need for Shalosh Sudos in Back of the freezer ...
5
votes
1answer
139 views
Must a flambé be ignited by a Jew to remain kosher?
Because of the halacha of Bishul Akum (or Bishul Yisrael, call it what you will), even if a food's ingredients are all kosher, it needs to have a Jew involved in the cooking process for it to be ...
5
votes
1answer
157 views
How to identify Yashan
I would like to serve food to a friend who observes the restrictions against eating Chadash grain products, but I don't have access to a guide on identifying Yashan. However I have heard, for ...
5
votes
1answer
183 views
Must I warn people about an untrustworthy restaurant?
What is my obligation to warn fellow kosher observant people about a Restraurant that is claiming to be "Glatt" Kosher, when in fact it has no Rabbinic Supervision at all and the owner's religious ...
5
votes
1answer
65 views
Does Kelayim apply to road cantaloupe/courgette?
A neighbour of mine, on the American east coast had a fire hydrant replaced in front of the house, right at the curb, and the fill used settled leaving a hole. He filled it with compost. Alas he now ...
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
1answer
125 views
How to prevent holes when double wrapping food?
When cooking milk in a meat oven (or kosher food in a treif one) I often find that when one wraps using aluminum foil, small holes appear (probably from the heat). I was wondering if anyone knows a ...
5
votes
3answers
196 views
What are the parameters for washing after excusing one's self in the middle of the meal?
If I recall correctly from Chayei Adam and elsewhere, if you're in the middle of a bread-based meal and excuse yourself to defecate, first of all you should wash with soap and water for hygienic ...
5
votes
2answers
135 views
Baal Habayis in Bentching
When bentching (saying the prayer after meals), one is to insert a blessing for one's host. I have four scenarios, in which I wonder about whether it is appropriate to say the blessing for the host or ...
5
votes
1answer
57 views
Obtaining the 7 Species in the U.S
Often on T"u BiSh'vat people like to eat members of the shiv'as haminim - the Seven Species by which the Land of Israel is praised. Some of them, such as grapes and dates, are easy enough to come ...
5
votes
2answers
175 views
Cold-brew coffee on Shabbos
One can make coffee by soaking grounds in cold water for an extended period.
See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cold_brew
Is it permissible to start the process on Shabbat, or if not, to start it ...
5
votes
1answer
156 views
Is one allowed to cut olives or grapes on Shabbos?
On shabbos, it is a biblical prohibition squeeze olives or grapes specifically for their juices, though one may squeeze them if the juices are used directly to enhance a solid food.
As an additional ...
5
votes
3answers
233 views
Bracha on Cooked Matza
Plain matza on pesach is Hamotzi. Fully cooked matza (eg. Keneidels) is Mezonot. What about these in between cases:
Fried matza ("Matza Brei")
Chicken soup with crushed matza ("Matza Farfel")
Matza ...
5
votes
1answer
66 views
Where does the concept of “shirayim” come from?
Please explain the concept of shirayim (literally, leftovers) wherein the followers of a chassidic Rebbe will receive portions of his food to it, these leftovers are considered holy or special in some ...
5
votes
1answer
108 views
Having dessert “in mind”
This has always confused me. One is not supposed to make unnecessary Berachoth, so one should "have in mind" to eat all of the foods that will be served in the meal when one begins the meal and makes ...
5
votes
1answer
130 views
What type of nuts may not be eaten during Elul?
Many have a custom not to eat nuts during elul, because אגוז is gematria חטא (sin). So what exactly is considered nuts? Almonds, Cashews, Pistachios, Macadamian, Hazelnuts, Pecans? How about Peanuts ...
5
votes
1answer
59 views
Relying on the tasting of a Jewish chef
In Yoreh Deah (Hilchos Issur V'Heter) we learn about the laws of relying on a chef ("kefelah") that is a goy to help determine if there is the taste of food that might be prohibited inside of a ...
5
votes
2answers
81 views
At what point was it recommended to have a separate kosher certifier (mashgiach) for local Jewish businesses?
If I understand correctly, you can generally walk into an observant Jew's house (upon invitation) and if he says the food is kosher, you assume the food is kosher. Now if the same fellow has a kosher ...
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 ...
5
votes
0answers
89 views
Gefiltah Fish Erev Pesach [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Matzah meal before פסח
You are not allowed to eat Matzah on erev Pesach as we should have an appetite for the Matazah at the Seder my question is what if you have a food ...
4
votes
5answers
177 views
What other work can a mashgiach do in a kosher restaurant today?
In a kosher restaurant today, must the mashgiach (kosher inspector) spend 100% of his time watching everything, or can he do some other work in the restaurant? How much work? I know this may vary ...
4
votes
4answers
377 views
