Food Archives - AskTheRav

Washing Hands Before Eating Wet Fruits

Questions: Do I need to wash Netilas Yadayim in the following cases: A) Washed any fruit and dried it. B) Didn't dry it but using a fork to eat…

I ate less than a kezayis from the seven special fruits but a kezayis from other fruits. What after blessing do I recite? What do I do if I have a doubt whether there was a kezayis from the seven kinds?

In this case, you only recite Borei Nefashos on the ordinary fruit, as the seven kinds of fruit had less than the requisite amount. In fact, even if…

May I eat food that was brought in the bathroom? My young child brought a closed can of tuna in the bathroom.

It may be used. See here and here. וכש״כ בנדו״ד שצרורים וחתומים. ואף גם במכוסים ועטופים. #2709

Do sliced mushrooms need a hechsher? They are fresh mushrooms sliced and packaged.

As long as they were packaged by a store or company that has separate section just for produce, it's fine, as you can rely that the knife is used…

How many Brochos do I make when eating crackers with tuna?

When eating crackers with tuna you should only make the Bracha on the cracker, and that Bracha covers the tuna eaten with it. Sources: והנה, מדת חסידות לברך…

Can I eat both dairy and meat with the same dentures?

Question: I have a (removable) polymer resin and acrylic false-tooth. May I eat milchig and fleishig with it in my mouth? Answer: In general, before eating milk products, and even…

Dairy spoon in a Meat mug—does it need Kashering?

Question: I used a (clean) milchig spoon to stir hot tea in a fleishig mug. The tea, however, was pareve. Is the spoon now okay to use? Answer:…

Do we double wrap all bread before putting in the garbage? Why do we do this? Are there other foods we should also wrap?

Bread is given special status, and therefore may not be thrown around, even if it will not become repugnant when one throws it. Once it’s spoiled or inedible, it…

Is one allowed to “cake” the birthday boy (smash the birthday cake in his face)?

One is not allowed to waste any type of food intentionally. In this case it also involves disgracing food. Therefore this practice is not allowed according Halacha. Sources:…

Is Coca-Cola without a Hechsher acceptable? What about with a Hechsher? I’ve noticed that in 770 they don’t serve Coca-Cola, and only sell the one from Israel, is that for a specific reason?

Coca cola is certified by the OU, and a OU symbol is required. Rav Landau from Bnei Brak has a separate line of production with his Hechsher. As far…

We are having an office potluck and I signed up for bread. Then I realized that most of the people attending are Jewish but not religious. Most likely they will not wash before, or Bentch after eating. Do I need to bring something different?

You should change that and offer something else. If you cannot change the menu, then offer Mezonos bread. If this is impossible too, then there’s room to be lenient…

Do frozen fruit, like strawberries, blueberries or bananas need a Hechsher? What about frozen vegetables that their sole “ingredient” is the vegetable?

In general terms, frozen fruit or vegetables with no additives may be eaten without a Hechsher, provided they are not from Eretz Yisroel or China, and provided there is…

Is there any Hiddur in not using Hellman’s mayonnaise?

Some are concerned because they leave the eggs without their shell overnight. See here: https://asktherav.com/is-it-permissible-to-take-the-shells-off-of-eggs-before-shabbos-and-store-them-in-a-closed-box-to-be-eaten-on-shabbos/#.XNXpVyiX3Yw.link #3970

Is it permissible/ideal to eat food with a Lubavitch Hechsher cooked in Keilim that were used to cook food without a Lubavitch Hechsher?

Specifically: Lubavitch meat cooked in Keilim or in an oven which were used to cook non-Lubavitch meat but with a good hechsher? How about Parve food (such as fish,…

אוכל או משקה שהיה בבטן המטוס בשעת הטיסה, האם יש חשש ברוח רעה כשאנשים ישנו בתוך המטוס?

אין חשש. מטעמי ההיתר: אינו בגדר מטה שמיועד בעיקר לישיבה; השינה בגדר שינת עראי; המטה אינה ראוי׳ לביאה; האוכל אינו על הקרקע (אהל זרוק וכו׳); המקום מלכתחילה מיועד להניח שם…

האם יש בעי’ה להשים דברי אוכל תחת המיטה גם כשלא יושנים עלי’ה? וכן האם יש בעי’ה להשים דברי אוכל במיטת קומתיים מתחת למיטה העליונה ומעל המיטה התחתונה?

לכתחילה מקפידים בכל הנ״ל. בדיעבד, יש מקום להקל בשני האופנים. Sources: בכלל, לכמה דעות יש להתיר ברו״ר בדיעבד. והארכנו במק״א. וראה שו״ת תורת שלום מג - כשלא ישנו.…

I poured a drink from one bottle to another over the sink in the bathroom. The seat was down. Is it still fit for drinking?

Although L'chatchilah one should not bring food or drink into the bathroom, if it was done, it can still be consumed. Sources: ראה שו״ת מנחת יצחק ח"ג סי'…

Is it permissible to take the shells off of eggs before Shabbos and store them in a closed box to be eaten on Shabbos?

Peeled eggs left overnight (even covered) may not be eaten, even when in a covered and closed box. This applies on Shabbos as well. If the eggs were left…

May I leave liquid in metal overnight? Does water in an urn need to be switched every day?

The Alter Rebbe in Shulchan Aruch brings down that one should not drink water that was left overnight in metal. This is connected to spiritual "bad spirits" ("רוח רעה").…