Can Eggs be Cooked by a Non-Jew without becoming Bishul Akum?

Is There Any Form in Which a Non-Jew May be Permitted to Cook an Egg, Such That It Would Not be Bishul Akum?

If a non-Jew makes scrambled eggs, omelets, boiled eggs, etc. the prohibition of bishul akum applies. However, if the eggs are added to a dough recipe, such as is the case when one bakes bread, this is not bishul akum. The egg is considered a minority ingredient in the bread, and since bread is not included in the prohibition of bishul akum, the egg inside is permitted as well.

If the egg is smeared on the surface of the bread, Aruch HaShulchan (Y.D. 112:21) writes that this is permitted, provided the egg is no more than a glossy shine on the bread. But if the layer of egg has a measurable thickness, as is the case with French toast, then it too would be included in the prohibition of bishul akum.

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.