Kashrus

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09 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

Double Trouble or Solution?

Dear Rabbi Simon We are renewing our kitchen (a costly but rewarding endeavour). I am looking at an Indesit built-in electric double oven (£269 from John Lewis). May I simply designate one oven for meat and one for dairy, or do I need two separate single ovens? Debbie Dear Debbie While the luxury of two separate single ovens is preferred…

09 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

Vegan Cheese and Beef Burgers

Dear Rabbi Simon I am cooking beef burgers for supper tonight and would like to know if there is a problem with maarit aayin to put parev vegan cheese with the burgers. Thank You Coleiv Dear Coleiv In such a case the שולחן ערוך  says to place the non-dairy wrapper on the counter near where you’re cooking. Then it’s OK.…

09 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

Kosher food, non-Kosher Restaurant

Dear Rabbi Simon, Can you bring and eat your own kosher food at a work team lunch taking place in a non-Kosher restaurant? Alex Dear Alex, This is disputed among the posekim, partly based on the question of whether we are concerned for new מראית עין (ie presumption of impropriety on the part of an onlooker) scenarios or are we only…

08 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

Exotic Coffee: Is it kosher?

Dear Rabbi Simon, Do you have an opinion for the Kopi Lowak coffee? There is an argument online – the OU shares both opinion but they say ask your local Rabbinical authority. In terms if it is a product of a non kosher animal or it can be considered a product of animal digestion? Many thanks, Daniel Dear Daniel, An intriguing question,…

05 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

Kosher Baby

Dear Rabbi Simon, I gave my one-year-old baby some food that was cooked with meat, and then 10 minutes later I gave him a dairy bottle without giving him anything to eat in between. Was this a problem? (If it’s not too much trouble, could you give me the Halachic sources in the answer? I like to look the sources up…

14 May 0Comments 0Likes

OMG! Cheese and Bacon in my Oven

Dear Rabbi Simon, My wife came home and found that our cleaner had put her cheese and ham sandwich in the oven. She is pyroliticing it now but the cleaner used our milk one and she can’t leave the sides and racks in. Is there any way the sides and racks can be kashered? Thank you in advance! Shlomo Dear…

11 May 0Comments 0Likes

Tequila Surprise

Dear Rabbi Simon I recently acquired a bottle of tequila (the Mexican spirit distilled from the agave plant) of the con gusano variety. I am not planning to consume the worm, but can I drink the tequila in which it is preserved? Thanks Carlos Hi Carlos I wanted to get back to you about the worm lurking in your tequila…

30 Apr 0Comments 0Likes

Berries & Bugs

Dear Rabbi Simon, Is it okay to eat blueberries and stawberries etc in England? If there is a bug problem with them, how do I check them? Helen Hi Helen TY for your question via our website. Blueberries and strawberries are quite different from one another insofar as infestation is concerned. Blueberries are often free of insects. Buy good quality…

29 Apr 0Comments 0Likes

Milky Spoon for Chicken Soup

Dear Rabbi Simon I came into the kitchen after Shabbos (having read in the weekly Torah portion for the day about not mixing meat and milk [Ex. 23:19]) and found my youngest eating hot chicken soup in a meaty bowl with a milk spoon (a stainless steel spoon with enamel handle). Yikes! Please advise if either can be salvaged. Kathy…

16 Nov 0Comments 0Likes

Kosher Dog Food

Dear Rabbi Simon, Interesting question from a new client with his puppy… ‘What rules apply to dog food in a strictly kosher home?’ I have always been of the opinion that as it’s the dog that’s eating the food there shouldn’t be an issue, but I think the client has a point about wet, canned food and the storage of…

Questions & Answers
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Questions and Answers

Ask the Rabbi: Quinoa on Pesach
Dear Rabbi Simon,
Where do you stand on quinoa (and the kitniyot ban) for Pesach?
Many thanks,
Tzippy
***
Dear Tzippy,
In line with other American authorities, I am in favour of quinoa. Although I reject completely the voices (mostly from Israel) seeking to abolish the ban on kitniyot entirely, IMO we do not need to include in the prohibition pseudo-grains that were unknown in the Old World until modern times. Best to buy with a Pesach hechsher though, to be free of any possible wheat contamination.
Rabbi Rashi Simon
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