Food is one of the bases of Jewish culture. Questions with this tag relate to laws of food or anything pertaining to food.
4
votes
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 ...
8
votes
2answers
308 views
How can people drink 7-11 Slurpees and soda?
There is no real Hechser on 7-11 Slurpees. How do people drink them? Is going on the Star-K's list okay? What about soda from the machine? I found that 7-11 switches the spouts sometimes. So even if ...
4
votes
2answers
119 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 ...
1
vote
5answers
271 views
Cholopshkes or stuffed cabbage on Simchas Torah
Many people eat Cholpshkes or stuffed cabbage on Simchas Torah. Is there a source for this Minhag, and are there other names for this dish in the other languages of Jewish communities?
2
votes
3answers
128 views
All about Kreplach
Many people eat Kreplach on Purim, Erev Yom Kippur, and Hoshanah Rabah. These 3 days are considered like hidden Yomim Tovim, as work is technically allowed. They are also days that we Klap. On Purim ...
5
votes
2answers
483 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 ...
1
vote
2answers
160 views
Does a lady have a Chiuv to eat on Erev Yom Kippur?
Does a lady have a Chiuv to eat on Erev Yom Kippur? The Shaagas Aryeh questions from one side it is a Mitzvas Asei Shehazman Grama and they should be Pottur. However they have a Chiuv to fast on Yom ...
3
votes
3answers
326 views
In what countries is chalav yisrael not required for milk?
The Talmud says milk is not kosher unless a Jew supervises the milking, to be sure it's just kosher-animal milk.
Assuming one goes by the ruling of R' Moshe Feinstein and others that "knowing" is ...
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). ...
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
3answers
197 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 ...
7
votes
2answers
93 views
Do you add in the “for all the Jews in this town” clause to Eruv Tavshilin?
In the Eruv Tavshilin we say when there's holiday followed by Sabbath, the proclamation is:
This eruv ("merging") shall allow us to cook, bake, insulate, and kindle on the holiday in preparation ...
4
votes
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 ...
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 ...
6
votes
5answers
218 views
Shabbos and Yom Tov menus
Is it permissible to prepare a menu for use on Shabbos and Yom Tov, without violating the prohibition on שטרי הדיוטות? This is particularly relevant during the "three-day Yom Tov"s that we will soon ...
6
votes
2answers
124 views
Bleeding gums on Shabbos
If someone has gum disease and his gums frequently (or always) bleed when he eats, is he restricted to a liquid diet on Shabbos and Yom Tov?
10
votes
1answer
873 views
Why aren't any of the main American brands of chewing gum kosher?
These days, you walk into any American supermarket, you can find kosher chocolate bars, kosher jelly beans, kosher all sorts of stuff. I understand why the gummy worms aren't kosher, they contain ...
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)?
4
votes
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 ...
3
votes
3answers
156 views
How can I avoid Bishul Akum with a rice-cooker?
ASSUMING:
I have a rice cooker here that's absolutely, certainly, never used for anything other than plain rice. The rice contains no flavorings, bugs, or anything else non-kosher.
Rice is raw ...
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 ...
4
votes
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)
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 ...
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?
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 ...
2
votes
2answers
116 views
What are Israel's oldest known cultivated plants?
I was thinking about this question, this news, and the general fact that plants can live for a very, very long time.
What are the oldest known cultivated plants in Israel? Are there, say, olive or ...
16
votes
3answers
1k views
Can you drink a beer (such as Miller or Budweiser) at a bar?
Can you buy and drink a beer (such as Miller or Budweiser) at a bar owned by non-Jews?
8
votes
4answers
848 views
Is the lemon slice added to a soda in many bars a problem kosher-wise?
Many bars (and hotel lobbies) will add a lemon wedge to the top of a glass of soda; often it's used to differentiate between Diet Coke (gets the lemon) and regular Coke (no lemon).
Does this pose a ...
6
votes
1answer
96 views
What are the opinions regarding eating small-bits-at-a-time (“leshiurin”) on Tisha B'Av when necessary?
I know on Yom Kippur, if someone is medically required to eat, s/he should do so with only a bit of food every few minutes, to avoid the full severity of eating "a full serving in one sitting."
On ...
12
votes
1answer
393 views
Food in bathroom
Is one allowed to take food into the bathroom? I heard that the prohibiton is only on the type of bathroom used years ago.
2
votes
1answer
98 views
Food on crock-pot done by when, when making shabbos early?
Normally, let's say I make shabbos at the usual time, shortly before sunset. If I want to leave food in the crockpot, I want to make sure it's cooked by sunset.
Now what happens if I make Shabbos ...
7
votes
4answers
300 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 ...
2
votes
3answers
308 views
3
votes
1answer
148 views
Separate Ketchup Bottles
Does one have to keep separate ketchup bottles for meat and dairy? (and why or why not?)
18
votes
6answers
2k views
Washing hands for eating pizza
How many slices are required to make you responsible to wash on Pizza?
1
vote
1answer
263 views
Carnation Instant Breakfast substitute
Is there any non-dairy (or chalav yisrael) substitute for Carnation Instant Breakfast?
5
votes
1answer
504 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 ...
6
votes
1answer
101 views
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?
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?
4
votes
3answers
671 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?
2
votes
2answers
159 views
Do Israeli silver gifts (e.g. kiddush cups) need to be dunked in the mikva?
People get these nice Israeli silver gifts like kiddush cups or fountains -- do they need to be dunked in the mikva?
2
votes
4answers
376 views
7
votes
3answers
465 views
What bracha do you make on smoothies?
If I put grapes, apples, strawberrys, watermelons, and other fruits and vegetables, as ingredients, in a smoothie, what bracha do I make, because its filled with foods of different brachos?
7
votes
6answers
268 views
why create non kosher animals?
why did hashem create non kosher animals, was it to tempt us and see if we would control ourselves?
5
votes
2answers
136 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 ...
4
votes
4answers
140 views
8
votes
8answers
404 views
Kosher accommodations in out-of-the-way US places
Are there any non-urban vacation areas in the United States with full-service kosher food available? I realize that the following are not hard to find:
Kosher restaurants in some urban centers.
A ...
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
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 ...
