The Definition & Halachic Status of Pas Yisroel, Pas Palter and Pas Ba’al Habayis

Can you please explain the terms pas yisroel, pas palter and pas ba’al habayis? What is the halachic status of these items?

Pas Yisroel refers to bread that was baked with specific Jewish involvement. This involvement can take one of three forms: The bread is placed into the oven by a Yisroel, the oven is lit by a Yisroel, or a Yisroel stokes the flames or throws in a chip of wood. However, if a Yisroel was not involved in any of these steps in the baking of the bread, even if they prepared the dough or shaped the loaves, this would not be Pas Yisroel.

Pas palter refers to bread that was baked for business purposes by a non-Jewish bakery without Jewish involvement. Pas ba’al habayis refers to bread that was baked by a non-Jew for his own consumption, without Jewish involvement. Both pas palter and pas ba’al habayis are part of a general category known as pas akum.

Pas ba’al habayis should not be eaten, except in certain extenuating circumstances. (Yoreh De’ah 112:7-8).

Regarding pas palter, the Sefardim follow the ruling of Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De’ah 112:2), that if Pas Yisroel is available, one should purchase only Pas Yisroel. However, if it is not available, or if it is of inferior quality, then one may consume pas palter. In contrast, the Ashkenazim, as per the ruling of Rama (Yoreh De’ah 112:2 ) allow pas palter. Nonetheless, it is a meritorious stringency to consume only Pas Yisroel.

The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 603) advises that even those who eat pas palter during the year, should only eat Pas Yisroel during the Aseres Yemei Teshuva. Additionally, Mishnah Berurah (242:6) writes that it is proper to honor Shabbos and Yom Tov by eating only Pas Yisroel on those special days.

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.