Food is one of the bases of Jewish culture. Questions with this tag relate to laws of food or anything pertaining to food.
10
votes
2answers
153 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)
7
votes
1answer
75 views
leaving something out of a meal zecher lachurban
As described in משנה ברורה ס׳ תקס ס״ק ה–ו–ז, we omit something from any big meal (not on Shabas or yom tov), noticeably, as a זכר לחרבן. Has anyone seen this done, and, if so, what was omitted? I'm ...
8
votes
1answer
195 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?
4
votes
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 ...
3
votes
1answer
104 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?
7
votes
6answers
210 views
1
vote
1answer
196 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 ...
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
162 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?
9
votes
3answers
223 views
When/how was the controversy regarding stainless-steel blades for shechitah resolved?
My understanding is that the use of stainless-steel blades for shechita (kosher slaughter) knives was introduced by the early Hassidic movement and initially opposed by the non-Hassidic leaders.
...
10
votes
1answer
636 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
164 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 ...
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:
...
7
votes
2answers
636 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, ...
4
votes
1answer
55 views
5
votes
2answers
165 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? ...
18
votes
6answers
2k views
Washing hands for eating pizza
How many slices are required to make you responsible to wash on Pizza?
4
votes
1answer
112 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?
14
votes
2answers
160 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 ...
12
votes
4answers
798 views
Is a rare steak kosher?
If you have a steak medium to rare, such that it's still pink in the middle, is it kosher? At what point is meat cooked enough?
6
votes
2answers
193 views
Is there anywhere in the world I can still get a hot chocolate without a hechsher?
~150 years ago in Eastern Europe, the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch wrote that you could usually go buy a coffee, tea, or hot chocolate without having to worry about its kosher ingredients (or bishul akum). ...
7
votes
3answers
98 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?
6
votes
4answers
176 views
Brochos on Desserts
Time to get it straight once and for all. When do you / do you not make a Brocho on dessert in a meal (where you washed)?
11
votes
4answers
1k views
Making seltzer/soda water on Shabbat or Yom Tov
Can a person make seltzer on shobbos or yom tov with something like sodastream?
4
votes
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?
6
votes
1answer
426 views
4
votes
2answers
102 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 ...
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
2answers
215 views
How is it possible for a pot of meat to become pareve? [closed]
I was recently posed the following puzzle:
You have a pot of meat. You put in milk. It becomes pareve. How can this be?
Any ideas on how this is possible?
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 ...
4
votes
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 ...
3
votes
2answers
121 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 ...
2
votes
1answer
157 views
Why would a product be “only for cooking and pureeing”?
A recent OU kashrut alert that I found on Kashrut.com says:
Kirkland Nature's Three Berries: Rader Farms, Inc.: This product bears a Half-Moon K symbol and should be used only for cooking and ...
3
votes
1answer
265 views
What Bracha do you make on (Kasha) buckwheat?
What Bracha Rishona and Bracha Achrona do you make on (Kasha) buckwheat?
2
votes
1answer
101 views
The Ushpizin Esrog-Lemon Case
If you never saw Ushpizin, this video will give you a quick summary of what I'm talking about [especially starting at 3:55].
Basically, two non-frum Jews come over to Moshe's house for Sukkos. They ...
8
votes
1answer
140 views
Which modern-day fruits require Shehechiyanu?
According to my understanding (and please, correct me if I'm wrong), the Bracha of Shehechiyanu (שהחינו) on fruits [and some vegetables?] is recited the first time one partakes of a particular ...
7
votes
1answer
253 views
Al Hamichya and Al Haetz
If I eat a pastry and grapes at one sitting, do i make two brachos achronot al hamichya and an al haetz? or may I combine the words into one bracha acharona by saying "al haetz V'al hamichya" ?
6
votes
2answers
115 views
Brochos Listed on Food Packages
I noticed that many times there are Brochos listed on food packages (e.g. "ברכתו מזונות"). Is there any standard with regards to who is supplying the Halachic data? Is it generally the Hashgacha ...
9
votes
3answers
411 views
Where did the “different bracha for mishloach manos” idea come from?
Rambam and Shulchan Aruch say you can send two types of meat as mishloach manos on Purim.
Yet somehow I (and many other people, apparently) were taught that the two different items have to be in two ...
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 ...
3
votes
3answers
102 views
Signifigance of the foods eaten on Rosh Hashanah?
What is the Significance of the foods eaten on Rosh Hashanah,now i know the gemara brings them down but why did the Gemara choose these particular ones also the apple in honey whats the significance ...
7
votes
4answers
284 views
How does salt “add heat” (mishna in Shabbos 4(1))
The mishna in Shabbos 4(1) tells us which materials may not be used to insulate foods for Shabbos because they "add heat". One of these materials is salt. Can anyone explain how salt can add heat ...
5
votes
2answers
216 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 ...
7
votes
4answers
299 views
What's the best way to make ashes (for weddings and/or pre-Tisha B'Av)?
There are times that something calls for ashes, e.g.:
The meal right before Tisha B'Av, you're supposed to eat a hard-boiled egg dipped in ashes.
A groom puts ashes on his forehead shortly before ...
6
votes
2answers
263 views
Is the cat figurine thing a problem at kosher Chinese restaurants?
It seems like all kosher Chinese restaurants have this cat-statue thingy in the front:
Is there any Halachic problem with that? I assume not, if they're all kosher-certified; but why not?