Is Cooked Rice Subject to Bishul Akum?

Is cooked rice subject to the prohibition of bishul akum?

Foods that can be eaten raw (without cooking) or would not be served at a banquet are not subject to the prohibition of bishul akum. These leniencies do not apply to cooked rice: Rice is not edible raw, and can certainly be served at a fancy banquet. Therefore, unless there was some Jewish involvement in the cooking, cooked rice is subject to the prohibition of bishul akum. Ashkenazic custom, in accordance with the ruling of Rama (Yoreh De’ah 113:7), allows for a non-Jew to cook rice, provided that the fire was lit or adjusted by a Yisroel. Because instant rice is fully cooked at the factory, the Mashgiach must light the fires as part of the requirements of kosher supervision.

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.