Kosher food, non-Kosher Restaurant

You are here:
< Back

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 bound by those mentioned in the Talmud (Peri Toar vs. Peri Hadash YD 87). Rav Moshe Feinstein (OH 2:40) was very reluctant to allow eating [kosher food] in a non-kosher establishment, however others seem prepared to rely on the Peri Hadash above. In a situation of need (eg work/business context) it has been suggested that you leave some packaging or similar next to your plate so that a hypothetical onlooker will realise that you are eating your own food, not that supplied by the restaurant. I would go with that במקום צורך (in a situation of need).
Bon appetit
Rabbi Rashi Simon

Previous Vegan Cheese and Beef Burgers
Next Exotic Coffee: Is it kosher?
Questions & Answers
this week

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
Events / Calendar