Ask the Rabbi

Customs for Waiting Between Meat and Milk - I see that some people wait 6 hours between meat and milk, while some wait 3 and some wait 1. Are all these customs valid? Can someone without an established family custom choose whichever custom he wants... More »

Food Cooked in a Dairy/Meat Pot - If a non-dairy food, such as pasta, was cooked in a dairy pot, can it be eaten together with meat? More »

Kid in Mother’s Milk not Taken Literally - The Torah states a clear law, “You shall not cook a kid in its mother’s milk.” How in the world can this be taken as the basis for not eating meat and milk together at all, not even in the same meal? The... More »

China Dishes, Porcelain - We inherited a beautiful set of china from my in-laws, who did not keep kosher. They haven’t been used for at least 20 years. I would like to give them to my married daughter. Is there a way they can be... More »

Hotel Room Coffee Machine - I am staying in a hotel for a few days and it has a Keurig coffee machine. Can I use it (with a kosher K-Cup pod) or is there a concern of it not being kosher? More »

How to Make a Microwave Kosher - Our nanny heated up non-kosher soup in our microwave. Can we make it kosher again? More »

Blood Meal Fertilizer - Is it permissible to use blood meal fertilizer on crops? Does the prohibition against consuming blood include deriving benefit from it, or is it limited to consumption as food? More »

Checking Eggs for Blood Spots - What is the issue with checking eggs for blood spots? If I buy a package of eggs which is certified kosher, is this necessary? More »

Is Turkey Kosher? - I have heard that there are some Jews who do not consider turkey kosher. Can you tell me the reason for this? As far as I know, turkey with kosher certification is widely available. More »

Buying Fish - I am a frequent traveler and sometimes I find myself in a motel with a kitchenette. Am I able to go to the local fish store and purchase kosher fish? More »

Cooking Meat and Fish Together - Are we allowed to cook meat and fish together in the same over at the same time? More »

Is Eel Kosher? - Eel seems not be be accepted as kosher, and I’m wondering why, for example the species unagi. As far as I can see, it has fins and scales, though both are small. More »

Grasshoppers - One of my co-workers brought a box of chocolate-covered grasshoppers to the office. Many people tried them, but since I keep kosher I begged off, saying that I was grossed out. Did I... do the right thing? More »

Honey - Since honey is produced by bees, and bees are not a kosher species, how can honey be kosher? More »

Is Coca Cola Kosher? - I've noticed religious Jews buying Coke at my local supermarket, but I don’t understand how it can be kosher if the formula is a big secret. Also, it doesn't say "kosher" anywhere on the... More »

Kosher Symbols - When I was growing up, most kosher products had the symbol O-U. But now there seems to be everything – Texas-K, California-K, Minnesota-K. How do I know what kosher supervision is considered... More »

Kosher Bacon Bits - I have recently begun keeping kosher, and had a philosophical debate with a friend who does not. I want to use soybean "sausage and bacon" products that have kosher symbols, because as long as they're... More »

Kosher Travel - I travel a lot for business to small towns. I usually stay at a hotel that does not have a kitchen, so I am unable to prepare my own food. Also, these hotel rooms usually don't have a refrigerator, so I... More »

Mushrooms: Kosher Status, Blessing - Mushrooms are fungi. They are not the seed-bearing plants the Torah allows man to eat. If so, how can they be kosher? More »