Kashrus

Dear Rabbi Simon Do glass spice jars require tevillah (ritual immersion in a mikveh)? Thank you. Joel Dear Joel, Yes, they require tevillah (with a berakhah) if you bought the jars and are filling them with your own spice. However, If they are provided by the spice purveyor essentially as a means of packaging their product so you can buy…

Dear Rabbi Simon Can you please tell me what happens if by accident one drinks chicken soup from a milky bowl using a milky spoon or from a milky bowl using a meaty spoon? Many thanks, Sammy Dear Sammy Thank you for your question. This is actually rather complicated, as there are multiple variables to be considered, including the material of the bowl,…

Dear Rabbi Simon, I have a shemita question: I accidentally bought a bunch of Israeli basil which is now in my fridge. What should I do with it? Many thanks Rosemary Dear Rosemary, Thank you for your question. Basil is subject to the law of sefichin, which essentially means one should not eat it, as produce of the field (as opposed…

Note: This week’s Parasha (Mishpatim) contains the first of three mentions in the Torah of the prohibition of mixing milk and meat (Ex. 23:19). Dear Rabbi Simon I came into the kitchen after Shabbos and found my youngest eating hot chicken soup with a milk spoon (a stainless steel spoon with enamel handle) in a meaty bowl. Yikes! Please advise…

Dear Rabbi Simon Can I buy Za’atar & Sumac spices from any shop or do they need proof of rabbinical supervision (ie, hechsher)? Herby Dear Herby While it is always ideal to buy with a hechsher, as a rule, pure dried herbs and spices (whole or ground) are OK. Blends of pure spices (including with pure vegetable oil) are also acceptable.…

Dear Rabbi Simon I cut onions using a milky vegetable knife and then proceeded to put it in rice in a meaty pot. This knife is used only for vegetables and not milky items. It is currently cooking on the stove top. It will be served with chicken. What do I do? Thank you Betzalel Dear Betzalel Talk about time-sensitive. You…

Dear Rabbi Simon We plan to stay in a rented cottage in Devon. Is it OK to use their toaster if we put it on once with nothing in? Many thanks, Meir Dear Meir, Sorry I cannot endorse using the toaster in a holiday rental. Very difficult to clean thoroughly and the bread comes into direct contact with the interior…

Dear Rabbi Simon A post-Pesach question: are we allowed to have fresh farm bread if no access to kosher bread? Thanks, Brad Dear Brad Thank you for your question. In certain countries (such as France, Switzerland and elsewhere) baguettes and similar are baked without objectionable additives or even release agents such as oil or shortening which may be animal-derived. These…