Bishul Akum - French Fries

Q. The previous Halacha Yomis quoted Rav Belsky’s view that although cooked potatoes are subject to bishul Akum, potato chips are not. What about French fries – are they like potatoes or like potato chips?

A. Rav Belsky, zt”l held that French fries are primarily a fast food or snack item and are therefore not subject to bishul Akum. Some argue that French fries today are a respectable food, as evidenced by the fact that steak and chips can be ordered at some of the most upscale restaurants. Rav Belsky countered that this has more to do with the fact that people enjoy steak with chips than with the importance of the food. This is similar to the position of the Aruch Hashulchan (YD 113:18) regarding the status of potatoes in his day. He writes that potatoes are not “oleh al shulchan melachim” (served at royal feasts, henceforth abbreviated oas”m) because they are a poor man’s fare. Occasionally, potatoes are served by aristocracy at fancy meals, but that is because they are plentiful and popular. Rav Belsky offered proof that French fries are not oas”m; they are typically served at weddings only to young children, but not to adults.

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The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt"l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.