Halacha

There's grain and there's grain. Of the many different types, Jewish law only accords special recognition to five of them. The ramifications of this distinction are numerous; let Rabbi Eli Gersten, the OU Kashruth Rabbinic Coordinator charged with recording OU Psak and Policy, be your guide! Tune in as he touches on such topics as brachos, Shabbos, taking challah, gluten allergies, and more. Come "wheat" Rabbi Gersten and the issues will be "spelt" out!

Sometimes, you need to juggle two volumes of the Shulchan Aruch at the same time! A case in point involves doing business with non-kosher food. Join Rav Hershel Schachter, one of OU Kashruth’s Senior Poskim and Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Rabbenu Yitzchok Elchanon, as he examines such questions as: Are there foods a Jew mayn’t sell? Are there foods a Jew mayn’t even own? Is a Jewish stock-holder considered an owner in the eyes of the Halacha? Tune in - you’ll see it was a good investment!

Wake up hungry? Want some cereal? Get a spoon, a bowl--and listen to this Tidbit! In this installment, Rabbi Eli Gersten, the Rabbinic Coordinator with OU Kashruth charged with recording OU Psak and Policy, discusses the berachos made on breakfast cereals. He'll give you an overview of some of the fundamentals of the laws of berachos, and describe how crucial it is to know how cereals are made. Tune in, and you'll be ready for action when it's "crunch" time! If you have questions or comments for Rabbi Gersten please send them to: {encode="gerstene@ou.org" title="gerstene@ou.org"}

Perhaps the question most frequently asked of the OU is, “Does this OU-Dairy product actually contain dairy?” This question is of particular interest to those observing supra-legal kashrus stringencies with respect to dairy products. Join Rabbi Binyomin Geiger, the public face of OU Kashruth on the OU Hot-Line, as he discusses this deceptively complex topic. Find out if ingredient panels can assist the curious consumer, and learn once and for all the reasons the OU does not put “DE” on its labels!

The next time you go food shopping, ask yourself, "Is the OU food in the store actually from an OU factory?" Welcome to the world of kashrus security - your guide, Rabbi Eli Gersten, the Rabbinic Coordinator with OU Kashruth charged with recording OU Psak and Policy. When is there a concern about kosher food being switched for non-kosher? What must a kosher sender do so that the recipient knows that the food delivered is kosher? What do canned tuna and shrink-wrapped cold cuts have to do with halacha? "Tuna" in and you'll "meat" up with the answers! If you have questions or comments for Rabbi Gersten please send them to: {encode="gerstene@ou.org" title="gerstene@ou.org"}

New Jewish diet: Don't eat at anyone's house. We all know that this regimen will never (ahem) "take off." But why not? How exactly is it that we can eat when we didn't personally verify kashrus? Join Rabbi David Bistricer, a Rabbinic Coordinator with OU Kashruth, as he discusses the legal underpinnings of eating food without first-hand knowledge of its source and preparation. Are all Jews valid witnesses for kashrus? Can you rely on someone whose kashrus standards are lower than yours? Is there a difference between reliance on a host and reliance on a grocer? Tune in: You can trust us when we say you'll come away smarter!

It widely accepted that the American domestic turkey is a kosher avian species. But what about the bird known as "the Eastern Wild turkey?" Join Rabbi Chaim Loike, a Rabbinic Coordinator with OU Kashruth widely-recognized for his vast expertise in the kashruth of birds, for a unique discussion of hands-on halachic exploration. Are these two turkeys from the same species? Rabbi Loike discusses the halachic source material, as well as the turkey's encounter Rav Yisroel Belsky, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Torah Vodaath and Senior OU Poseik. You'll be "Giving-thanks" after you hear his talk!

The Talmud discusses when seals are required on food to preserve their permissibility. How does that play out in our era of shrink-wrap and flip-top cans? Join Rabbi David Bistricer, a Rabbinic Coordinator with OU Kashruth, for a clear and through discussion of this practical and daily issue. Must I always look for a kosher symbol? What if a required seal is absent? Is re-packaged OU candy under the OU? Tune in and learn about kashrus security!

Rabbi Chaim Loike Rabbinic Coordinator, OU Kashruth When is a quail not a quail? When is a predator not a predator? Join Rabbi Chaim Loike, a Rabbinic Coordinator with OU Kashruth possessing vast knowledge of avian kashrus, as he guides us to a greater understanding of kosher birds. Tune in and see him elucidate the relevant principles—with live birds! No doubt, you’ll come “beak” for more… This seminar was presented at the "OU Kosher Coming" program at JLIC - Johns Hopkins University, on November 9, 2009.

The peacock is among the most beautiful of all birds—and among the most mysterious! Join Rabbi Chaim Loike, a Rabbinic Coordinator with OU Kosher with special expertise in kosher birds, in a lucid and thorough discussion of the history and halachos of the peacock. Did King Solomon really bring them to Israel? Is one species kosher and another forbidden? Does any community have a tradition of eating them? Tune in and you’ll no doubt come “beak” for more…

“What will the neighbors think” is often immaterial—but sometimes it’s of major importance. Join Rabbi David Bistricer, a Rabbinic Coordinator with OU Kosher, as he explores the intersection between kashrus and Maris Ayin (the commandment to preserve one’s reputation as a faithful Jew). Could eating a soy burger with cheese be a problem? How about a steak with parve margarine? Listen in, and find out when “looking good” overrides “eating well”!

No waiter ever asked a customer, "Would you like some arsenic with your roast beef, sir?" We would run, not walk, to avoid a food if there was even the slightest chance of it being poisoned. Rabbi David Bistricer, a Rabbinic Coordinator with OU Kashruth, describes another type of poison: a toxin for the heart and soul. Tune in and learn a perspective on keeping kosher which you may never have heard...

Rabbi Yaakov Luban Executive Rabbinic Coordinator, OU Kashruth How sophisticated is the local Vaad certifying that delicious calzone and those yummy buffalo wings? Join Rabbi Yaakov Luban, Executive Rabbinic Coordinator of OU Kashruth and a specialist in communal kashrus issues, in this rare peek behind–the–scenes. Rabbi Luban discusses kashrus history and kashrus recommendations—and you won’t want to miss, “Does politics impact on Kashrus..?” You might be surprised…

Rabbi Yaakov Luban Executive Rabbinic Coordinator, OU Kashruth Your local kosher bakery and Chinese restaurant both need kashrus certification. How is it set up? Join Rabbi Yaakov Luban, Executive Rabbinic Coordinator of OU Kashruth and a specialist in communal kashrus issues, as he uses his vast expertise to describe the underpinnings of a Vaad HaKashrus (local kashrus agency). Who participates? How are the responsibilities divided? How do kashrus professionals avoid divisiveness and burn-out? Who sets the standards? Tune in and find out what happens behind-the scenes…