Food is one of the bases of Jewish culture. Questions with this tag relate to laws of food or anything pertaining to food.
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Does soda need a hechsher?
I have noticed that many cans of pepsi don't have a hechsher (kosher symbol) on them. Do they need one?
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4answers
268 views
Matzah meal before פסח
On the subject of not eating Matzah before פסח, may one eat products containing Matzah meal in that time?
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1answer
165 views
what is kosher meat?
I have heard different theories about Kosher foods, such as
They sacrifice animal in a proper way
They recite God's name when sacrificing the animal
They only eat front limbs of animals. The rear ...
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1answer
174 views
Does consuming raw meat make one Fleishigs?
If one is making meat, and while the meat is still raw licks his/her fingers, does s/he become Fleishigs (to wait the appropriate amount of time before eating dairy)?
Essentially if we boil (excuse ...
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3answers
327 views
Kosher symbols on non-food items
I just bought a box of 100 sandwich bags and on the box there is an (U) symbol. This is neither unique nor uncommon. Why do marks of hechsher appear on non-food products? Is there anyone in the world ...
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4answers
140 views
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2answers
133 views
Is there a custom not to eat roasted chicken at the Seder?
Does the custom to refrain from eating roasted meat at the Seder extend to chicken, turkey, and any other fowl one might serve roasted?
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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?
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3answers
211 views
Donut and its deeper significance
What is the significance for eating Donuts on Chanukah Beyond the Oil connection?
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1answer
296 views
What would be an example of permitted vs prohibited cross-grafting with fruit trees?
I haven't studied Tractate Kilayim.
I know you can't plant grapes with wheat.
What about, say:
Jazz apple = Royal Gala apple X Braeburn apple ?
Nectarine = Peach X Plum ?
Nectaplum = Nectarine X ...
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1answer
104 views
Status of food fried with oil that was previously used for meat
If one used oil to fry meat and the next day used the same oil to fry something pareve (eg. french fries), is the pareve food considered 'meat'? Is there any differences between Sefardic and ...
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2answers
148 views
Which sephardic groups forbid eating rice during Pesach and why?
I was recently at a shiur where this came up briefly and somewhat tangentially. Does anyone know which groups forbid rice but allow other kitniyot (e.g., beans) during Pesach? Any references/pointers ...
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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 ...
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2answers
164 views
Does the blessing over bread cover beverages?
Are drinks considered food that generally comes as part of the meal and therefore drinkable without an additional blessing during a meal on which the only blessing recited was the blessing on bread? ...
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2answers
505 views
What's the best thing to use for Marror?
What's the best thing to use for Marror (bitter herbs) for Seder, taking into account Halacha, ease, availability, etc?
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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)?
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1answer
55 views
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1answer
86 views
Sephardi Matza - Is it available commercially?
Is there anywhere to purchase Sephardi Matzos commercially in the USA?
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1answer
82 views
Different flour:oil ratios in the mincha sacrifices — how did the dough stay together?
If I understand correctly, different animal sacrifices had different amounts of flour & oil to be brought with them:
Measured in (eiphas of flour / hins of oil):
bull: 0.6
ram: 0.6
sheep: 0.4
...
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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 ...
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1answer
137 views
Buddha at Indian Restaurants
Is the Buddha statue (or Hindu statues) a problem at Kosher Indian restaurants?
(This is different than the cat question since the cat is only a good-luck superstition and these are actual idols)
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3answers
665 views
Eating at a shiva house
What is the basis for some people's practice not to eat the food at a shiva house; is there a halachik basis for this, is it a minhag or perhaps just superstition?
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1answer
100 views
Why are bagels a traditional Jewish food?
Inspired by this question
One of the stereotypical traditional Jewish foods is a bagel (with or without lox and "shmear"). Why/how did this food come to be associated with Jews?
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1answer
74 views
Bakery workers washing Negel Vasser
In my local bakery there are Jewish non religious workers. Is there a concern that perhaps when they are handling the baked goods they have not washed negel Vasser (morning n'tilas yadayim)?
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2answers
496 views
Is Yeast Extract OK to eat during Passover?
The status of eating yeast on Passover has me confused. Yeast is used in wine production which is ok to eat, but I've talked to people that won't eat yeast extract, which is not a leavener. Is there a ...
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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?
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2answers
158 views
What are Brochos seforim for Sefardim?
There are many Hilchos Brochos (on food) seforim for Ashkenazim such as Halachos of Brochos, The Laws of B'rachos, etc.
What are examples of English Brachos seforim that sefardim could use? (in other ...
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2answers
127 views
Can one eat on Sunday
Can one eat on Sunday if he hasn't heard Havdalah yet? If not, what happens if he already ate: should he say Havdalah?
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5answers
195 views
What's the oldest continuously-existing, still-open kosher restaurant?
What's the oldest continuously-existing, still-open kosher restaurant?
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2answers
118 views
What food product was the Birkei Yosef discussing when he said Bishul Akum didn't apply?
If my non-Jewish neighbor cooks some rice and brings it to my house, I'm not allowed to eat it because of Bishul Akum (even if I know his ingredients and equipment are 100% vegan and grape-free). Too ...
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2answers
215 views
If you're really thirsty (e.g. breaking a fast), do you make a bracha first on the water or solids?
I know generally speaking, when prioritizing brachos, if you have food and drink, the food goes first; also, shehakols tend to rank low.
But what if you're really, really thirsty (e.g. breaking a ...
4
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1answer
147 views
Ice-cream scoop on Shabbos
Is there anything wrong with using an ice-cream scoop to dish ice-cream on Shabbat? I have been told in the name of a Rebbetzin that you can't.
4
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1answer
328 views
Baking powder on Pesach
I know intellectually that chemical leavening agents are allowed during Pesach. Kosher baking powder (free from kitinyot) is widely available. Still, I can't help feeling that it's cheating to use ...
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2answers
189 views
What is the Brocha one says on Quiche
If one makes a Quiche with bread-dough, does it become Pas Habaah Bkisnin and the Brocha would be mzonos or not?
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1answer
67 views
Is there any problem with using yomtov candles to cook food (on yomtov)?
Suppose you had a lot of candles, and a small pan of chocolate you wanted to melt, any problem using the yomtov candles for this? Cooking is permitted, but is the use of yomtov candles restricted in ...
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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 ...
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2answers
626 views
How do you obtain Dole/Fresh Express bagged romaine lettuce with a Star-K on it?
I know some stores tend to stock it, some don't.
One year before Pesach I tried contacting a produce wholesaler (we were having lots of company) regarding buying a case of it -- they said they ...
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2answers
83 views
Loshon Harah in Restaurant Reviews
There is a website and iPhone app that contain a listing of kosher restaurants. In addition, one feature is the listing of 'star-ratings' and reviews by users. Are there any halachic ramifications ...
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2answers
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Chametz u'matza?
The first of four questions specifically says, "On all other nights we eat chametz or matza, why on this night only matza?"
While I understand that it's halakhically acceptable to eat matzah when it ...
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0answers
31 views
If someone has broken their fast on Yom Kippur is anything extra added to birchas hamazon? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Benching on yom kipper
I have heard that if one breaks his fast on Yom Kippur he should add into his birchas hamazon the section of "Yaaleh V'yavo". Is this true or do ...
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0answers
106 views
Does a French Press Shoulder Nut Require Tevila?
On a french press, there is a piece that sits on the bottom of the plunger rod above the filtering discs called a shoulder nut. The purpose of this piece is to keep the filtering discs plunged down ...
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7answers
138 views
what to throw at a bridegroom
Any suggestions as to what should be thrown at someone when he gets an aliya on the Shabas before his wedding? Suggestions should take into account any considerations deemed appropriate (and adding to ...
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4answers
142 views
Secret Cholent ingredient
Does anyone know of any secret cholent ingredients to give it a knock out taste?
3
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3answers
243 views
Are there any national brands of tuna that are Bishul Yisroel?
Are there any national brands of tuna in the USA that are Bishul Yisroel?
3
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2answers
205 views
Food cooked by woman during Niddah?
If according to my Bible translation - please correct me if it is wrong - anything a woman in niddah or a state of tumah, or 'impurity', touches or sits on becomes 'impure', can food cooked by her be ...
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3answers
78 views
Number of Fruit on Tu B'Shvat
Is there a specific number of fruit that you are supposed to eat on Tu B'Shvat?
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4answers
478 views
Do bananas make the best karpas?
For karpas at the seder, one is supposed to eat a food on which the blessing "borei pri ha'adama" is made. However, many of the most commonly used food items for karpas (e.g. parsley, raw onion, raw ...
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2answers
86 views
What does the word לאַטקעס (latkes) mean?
לאַטקעס is the Yiddish word used for the potato pancakes commonly eaten on Chanukah. Where does the word לאַטקעס come from originally? What exactly does it mean?
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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?
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4answers
274 views
Karpas - What do you use?
I have heard of potatoes, celery, scallion. What else do people use for Karpas? Is there one item that is more L'Chatchila than the others?
