Dairy Bread

As a general rule, bread must always be pareve -- it may not contain any dairy or meat ingredients.[1] The sages instituted this requirement due to the concern that bread made with either dairy or meat ingredients might accidentally be used at a meal of the opposite type.[2] In fact, one who baked a dairy (or meat) bread might actually be forbidden to eat it, even on its own.[3] One may not even add dairy (or meat) ingredients to bread in amounts that would render such additives battel, halachically nullified and insignificant.[4]

It is permitted, however, to bake dairy bread if it is very small in size.[5] This is because it is assumed that a small amount of bread will be quickly consumed and not mistakenly eaten at a meat meal. There is much discussion as to what is considered to be a "small" bread. The various opinions include: an amount that will be eaten in one sitting,^[6] an amount that will be eaten in one day,^[7] or an amount that will be eaten within twenty-four hours.^[8] Based on the latter opinion just cited, there was a custom in Europe to bake the challa bread for Shabbat with meat gravy.[9] There was also a widespread custom to bake a special dairy bread in honor of Shavuot.[10]  

It is also permitted to bake dairy bread if its dairy status is clear, such as by forming it in a distinct or irregular shape. Alternatively, one can sprinkle some cheese on the top of the bread.^[11] This is permitted because such measures will alert people that the bread is dairy.[12] When shaping dairy bread into a distinct shape, the shape must be significantly different than regular breads and not merely a symbolic irregularity.[13] For this reason, kashrut agencies in Israel require that dairy breads, such as cheese bourekas, danishes, and other pastries be baked in a triangular shape.[14]

Other authorities, however, rule that pastries are not subject to the "dairy bread" restrictions at all.[15] Similarly, most kashrut agencies will allow the production of dairy "English Muffins" because their shape and appearance differ from standard bread. So too, they are generally consumed in a single sitting. Some authorities allow one to bake dairy bread in the normal manner as long as the word "dairy" is embossed throughout the length of the bread.[16] It is forbidden to bake dairy bread in the normal manner and then simply print the word “dairy” on the external packaging.[17]

The "unique shape" of a dairy bread must be formed while the bread is still a dough. It does not help to slice a dairy bread in a unique manner or otherwise change its shape once it has been baked.[18] However, bread that accidentally became dairy during the baking process should be cut up in a distinct manner after it is baked. It may then be distributed to several people in order to ensure that it will be quickly consumed.[19] Such bread may also be sold or given to a non-Jew.[20] One may bake dairy breads, and other dough-based products, that are generally only used as a dessert food without any restrictions or requirements.[21] So too, a bread or dough that, for whatever reason, is simply never eaten with meat may be made with dairy ingredients.[22]

According to some authorities, not only must bread be pareve, but any food that is regularly eaten with both meat and dairy should be, as well. Therefore, spices that are used interchangeably at both meat and dairy meals should be pareve and remain so.[23] Closely related to this is the commendable custom of keeping separate salt and pepper shakers for meat and dairy meals.[24] Other authorities insist, however, that the "dairy bread" enactment applies exclusively to bread and not to any other foods. According to this approach, it suffices for all other foods to simply be marked as meat or dairy, as the case may be.[25] A number of authorities oppose the production of dairy liqueurs as they are not always clearly marked as being dairy and may be unintentionally consumed at or after meat meals.[26]

It has been suggested that one who is a vegetarian, and thus won’t possibly come to eat bread with meat, should be permitted to bake dairy breads without restriction. This approach, however, has been rejected by contemporary halachic authorities. This is because rabbinical enactments are binding on the entire community even if some of the reasons for the enactment do not apply to some segments of the community.^[27] Similarly, one may not bake dairy bread during the "Nine Days" even though it is generally forbidden to eat meat during this time.[28] Bread that was eaten at a dairy meal may not be saved to be used at a future meat meal even if it was sliced with a pareve knife and did not mix with dairy foods.[29] However, the remains of a loaf that was merely on the table during a meal but was not touched, sliced, or otherwise eaten from, may be used at a meal of the opposite type.[30]

[1] Pesachim 30a, 36a; YD 97.

[2] Shach, YD 97:1.

[3] YD 97:1. See also Aruch Hashulchan, YD 97:8; Badei Hashulchan, YD 97:7.

[4] Gilyon Maharsha, YD 97:1; Kaf Hachaim, YD 97:6. See Maharit 2:18 for an alternative view.

[5] Pesachim 36a, Rashi; YD 97:1.

[6] YD 97:11; Yad Yehuda 97:6.

[7] Rema, ibid.

[8] Aruch Hashulchan, YD 97:4; Badei Hashulchan, YD 97:23.

[9] Rema, YD 97:1.

[10] Rema, YD 97:1; Rema, OC 494:3; Darkei Teshuva, YD 97:33.

[11] Aruch Hashulchan, YD 97:5,7; Kaf Hachaim, YD 97:1; Be'er Sheva 32.

[12] Rambam, Hilchot Maachalot Assurot 9:22; Pitchei Teshuva, YD 97:3, Chochmat Adam 50:3; Aruch Hashulchan, YD 97:7; Kaf Hachaim, YD 97:12.

[13] Darkei Teshuva 97:19; But see Chochmat Adam 50:3 for an alternative view.

[14] See Taz, YD 97:1.

[15] Chavat Daat, YD 97:1; Pitchei Teshuva, YD 97:3; Chochmat Adam 50:7; Aruch Hashulchan, YD 97:2.

[16] Chochmat Adam 50:3; Chamudei Daniel, Taarovet 18.

[17] Kol Mevasser 1:10. In years past, major kashrut organizations did certify dairy breads that were unlike any other bread, but merely marked as dairy. There is a story in circulation about a great Rav who accidentally used such bread for a meat sandwich and when the kashrut organizations heard about this they ceased certifying such bread. But see Shevet Hakehati 5:128.

[18] Pitchei Teshuva, YD 97:3; Chavot Daat 97:6; Aruch Hashulchan, YD 97:8; Ben Ish Chai, Shelach 17; Rav Pealim 2:11.

[19] Aruch Hashulchan, YD 97:9.

[20] Yabia Omer 1:5.

[21] Pitchei Teshuva 97:3; Chochmat Adam 50:3.

[22] Pitchei Teshuva 97:3; Aruch Hashulchan, YD 97:7; Badei Hashulchan, YD 97:2.

[23] Taz, YD 97:1; Yad Yehuda 97:1.

[24] Rema, YD 88:3; Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 46:7; Aruch Hashulchan, YD 88:11. But see Kaf Hachaim, YD 88:31; Rivevot Ephraim 5:514.

[25] Pri Chadash, YD 97:1; Aruch Hashulchan, YD 97:2; Chochmat Adam 50:7; Badei Hashulchan, YD 97:1.

[26] Minchat Yitzchak 7:59.

[27] Cited by Rav Howard Jachter at: http://www.koltorah.org/ravj/Dairy%20Bread.htm.

[28] Maharsham 7:76; Badei Hashulchan, biurim sv "shema"; Rivevot Ephraim 2:155:17.

[29] YD 89:4.

[30] Igrot Moshe, YD 1:38.