Aino Ben Yomo - Davar Charif

QUESTION: In an earlier Halacha Yomis we wrote, “If one accidentally cooked in a clean non-kosher pot that was an aino ben yomo, the food is permitted under most circumstances.” Under which circumstances would the food become forbidden?

ANSWER: We explained previously that the taste (taam) of non-kosher food which is absorbed in the walls of a utensil becomes stale and will not affect future foods provided the utensil was idle for 24 hours (aino ben yomo). This rule does not apply when cooking a davar charif (a sharp food). A davar charif rejuvenates stale taste and restores its original status. A davar charif cooked in a non-kosher pot will become non-kosher, even if 24 hours elapsed between cooking episodes. Even if a non-kosher pot had not been used in weeks or months, if a davar charif is cooked in the pot, the food will be non-kosher. According to the Chacham Tzvi (siman 75) a davar charif can only rejuvenate stale tastes for up to 12 months. However, not all poskim agree with this ruling. If this situation arises, a rabbi should be consulted. 

Foods that are charif include: Fresh onion, garlic, and radish. Also, very spicy foods (i.e., heavily seasoned with salt, pepper or other sharp spices), vinegar, and alcohol.

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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.