OU Policy on Worms in Fish

By Rabbi Chaim Goldberg, RC Fish

The Gemarah in Chulin 67b states that darna, a worm-like parasite, found in the flesh of a fish is permissible because “minei gavli” it grows in the fish. (more…)

Guide To Selling “Real” Chometz Before Pesach

Although, l’halacha, any chometz may be sold before Pesach, there are pious individuals who do not sell “real chometz,” but rather give it away, burn it, or eat it before Pesach. How does one define “real (more…)

Hilchos Pesach: Going Away, Bedikah at Hotel

If one will not be at home for Pesach (and will not be able to make a Bedikas Chometz on Sunday night (28 March) one should preferably ask their Rov to sell their Chometz and rent their home/apartment to (more…)

Hilchos Pesach - Bedikas Chometz

If one forgot, or was unable to make the Bedikah on Sunday night (28 March) one should make the Bedikah on Monday, as early as possible, by candlelight, with a beracha. If the Bedikah was not done on (more…)

Tablecloths for Milchigs and Fleishigs

It has become customary in kosher kitchens to designate separate tablecloths for use with meat and dairy foods. The tablecloths should be significantly different in color, size or other easily identifiable features, (more…)

Hilchos Chodesh Nissan - Birkas Ha’illanos

Rosh Chodesh Nissan (tomorrow, Tuesday, March 16) marks the beginning of the season for Birkas Ha’Ilanos - the blessing we recite once a year upon seeing fruit trees in bloom. Men, women and children (more…)

Machine Matzos: Timing is Everything

Rabbi Tzvi Rosen, Star-K Kashrus Administrator; Editor, Kashrus Kurrents

Meticulous, scrupulous and passionate are terms that describe the fervor, zeal and seriousness displayed (more…)

Using Glasses for Milchigs and Fleishigs

Drinking glasses, according to the Shulchan Aruch, may be used for drinking hot or cold drinks at meat and dairy meals interchangeably, as long as they are thoroughly cleaned between usages. Many (more…)

Pesach Matzos

By Rabbi Moshe Heinemann, Star-K Rabbinic Administrator

The production of matzos Kosher for Pesach (KFP) involves a great deal of meticulous work. The process (more…)

Explaining the Mysteries of Kitniyos

Pesach is primarily known as the Jewish holiday celebration of freedom, which also happens to feature a myriad of rules concerning food. There are foods we must eat such as matzah and there are foods one is (more…)