What Foods are Included in the Category of Pas Yisroel and Pas Palter?

The word “pas” literally means bread. However, many poskim (e.g. Taz YD 112:6, Pri Chadash ibid, Beis Meir ibid) explain that with regard to pas yisroel, the criterion for what is considered bread is any pastry that would have a hamotzi status if one was kovea seudah (i.e., if it was used as the staple of their meal). As such, pas haba’ah b’kisnin (e.g. cookies, cakes, crackers, knishes and pretzels etc.) and certainly pizza and wraps are included in the category of pas yisroel/pas palter. Those who are stringent year round to eat only pas yisroel should purchase pas yisroel cookies, cakes and crackers etc. exclusively. This is the case, as well, for those who are only stringent during the Aseres Yemei Teshuva.

See our Pas Yisroel List - 5779 for OU certified Pas Yisroel brands and products.

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.