Bitul B’shishim - Measurment Evaluation

QUESTION: How do we measure “bitul b’shishim” (nullification in 60 parts)? Is this measured by weight or by volume?

ANSWER: It is clear from Poskim that this evaluation must be made by volume and not by weight. The Pischei Teshuva (YD 98:2) offers many sources for this fundamental principle. Weight should only be used as an approximation. Sometimes by weighing the items, especially if they are of similar densities, it will be obvious whether there is shishim, and then there will be no need to measure by volume. Measuring by volume can be very complicated since, as Pischei Teshuva points out, if some of the food items are full of air pockets, you must press out the air in order to make a proper assessment.

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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.