Glue, Envelopes and Stamps

Q. I have heard that the glue used on envelopes or stamps can potentially contain non-kosher ingredients. Is there any concern with licking stamps or envelopes?

A. Rav Meir Brandsdorfer zt”l (Kinei Bosem siman 25) addresses this question. He quotes the Magen Avrohom (442:15) who discusses using a quill on Pesach with ink that contains chometz. As he understands the Magen Avrohom, it is permissible to write with this ink on Pesach, even though one knows that he will occasionally place the quill in his mouth to make adjustments, and inevitably, he will taste the ink. This poses no problem since the ink is inedible and there is no intention to consume the ink or derive pleasure. Rav Brandsdorfer compares licking a stamp or an envelope to putting a quill in one’s mouth. Since the glue is inedible and there is no intention to enjoy the taste of the glue, there is no Halachic concern. It should be noted that according to Rav Brandsdorfer, if the glue is flavored and has a pleasant taste, licking the stamp or envelope should be avoided.

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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.