Kashrus Kurrentsvolume 25 NO
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STAR-K KOSHER CERTIFICATION rtnhyktcs ,urafv sgu Kashrus KurrentsVOLUME 25 NO. 2 WINTER 5 765-2005 MESSAGE Oven Kashrus: FROM THE President FOR SHABBOS USE AVROM POLLAK R ABBI AVROHOM MUSHELL It has now been several STAR-K KASHRUS ADMINISTRATOR weeks since word began spreading about Star-K’s Cookin’ just ain’t what it used to be. Technological advances have taken the innovative program (see the old stovetop and oven and upgraded them to be safer, more efficient, and smart article in this issue, “Striking for today’s lifestyle. They have also made them far more complicated. With these Matches: Star-K Partnering transformations, the observant Jew is faced with challenges that did not confront with Shadchanim”, by Mrs. him in the past. To understand how these changes affect the halachic use of the M. Pensak) of offering a range on Shabbos and Yom Tov, it is worthwhile to review some laws and concepts monetary incentive to as they relate to cooking on Shabbos and Yom Tov. anyone who successfully arranges a shidduch for women above a certain age in our Baltimore Definition of Melacha community. Reaction has been very positive, Cooking on Shabbos is a Torah prohibition derived from the constructive acts although - not unexpectedly - we have also received done in erecting the mishkan. This forbidden act is known as a melacha. There are a number of humorous responses. 39 categories of acts that are prohibited. One old acquaintance of mine good-naturedly Melacha of Cooking inquired if he were to divorce his wife and then re- The prohibition of cooking on Shabbos is defined as the act of using heat to marry her, would he be eligible for the reward? make a substance edible or to change its state. In order for food to be considered Many wondered how in the world we came up with hot, the food must reach a temperature of yad soledes bo (120°F), hot enough to the lower age limit of 22 years and 2 months. We cause one to withdraw his hand due to the heat. If the food will not reach a even received a mock threatening letter from a temperature of yad soledes bo there is no concern of cooking. Lighting a flame on disgruntled man, threatening us with a law suit for Shabbos is also prohibited as it is written, 1“,cav ouhc ofh,ucaun kfc at urgc, tk” gender discrimination. Some felt that the $2,000 The Torah prohibition of creating a fire on Shabbos also includes adding to an incentive (no, it is not a bounty!) should be existing flame. This is referred to as mosif havarah. Furthermore, one may not do replaced with a sliding scale, depending on the an action that will “cause” the flame to go on if it is the end result of his action. actual age of the women matched. And, a mother of The term for this is gram havara. a single girl, who has not yet had her first date, suggested that engaged couples, as a sign of their Aino Mechaven “hakoras ha’tov” to Hashem for helping them find There is a general rule regarding actions prohibited by the Torah that says that each other, make a concerted effort to help their when one does an action and one’s intent is not for the prohibited reaction that single friends in need of a shidduch. results, it is permitted. This is called aino mechaven, which literally means that On the flip side of the coin, a number of there was no intent to do the activity. (For example, dragging a bench on the individuals, including eligible men themselves ground on Shabbos to bring it to another location is permitted even though it may seeking their “bashert”, have suggested that a fund make a groove in the ground [plowing].) However, if this unintended be established which would cover the high cost of consequence must result in the prohibited activity being done, it is as if one had initially intended to perform the prohibited action, and the action is prohibited CONTINUED ON PAGE 9 (i.e. dragging a heavy bench on soft earth where it will surely make a groove in the ground). This is called a psik reisha. Nevertheless on Shabbos, where the resulting consequence is neither wanted nor intended, it is classified as a psik reisha d’lo nicha leih, Insidethis issue which is permitted by Torah law 2 although prohibited by Rabbinic law. Oven Kashrus: For Shabbos Use ....................Page 1 President’s Message ............................................Page 1 A Kashrus Guide To Medications, Vitamins, & Nutritional Supplements..........Page 2 New Under Star-K Kosher Certification ....Page 4 CONTINUED ON PAGE 6 Star-K Partnering with Shadchanim ............Page 5 Over-the-Counter Medications ....................Page 11 A KASHRUS GUIDE TO Medications,Vitamins, & Nutritional Supplements R ABBI DOVID HEBER, K ASHRUS ADMINISTRATOR past seven days without any known tion vkhft lrsf tka, in an uncommon way lobal sales of pharmaceutical products complications or who has postpartum of eating, if a kosher alternative is not G are expected to reach 500 billion dollars 3 complications that are or may become life readily available. Items which are designed annually.1 It is therefore no wonder that the threatening. This may apply for an to be swallowed4 without chewing (caplets, interest in kosher certification and approval extended period of time, depending upon swallow tablets, and even gelatin capsules), for these products has also skyrocketed. her condition. poor tasting chewable tablets, and poor Ideally, one should purchase these products tasting liquids have a vkhft lrsf tka status. with kosher certification. However, this is All instructions given by the doctor should For example, if someone has the flu, and the not always practical. It is for this reason that be carefully followed, including taking the only fever reducer available is a non-kosher one of the most frequently asked questions medication for the prescribed number of gelatin capsule, one may swallow the on the Star-K hotline relates to the kosher days, even though the symptoms may have product. Similarly, one may swallow status of these remedies. In an effort to subsided. This also applies to non-kosher Celebrex in a gelatin capsule or tablets clarify the numerous issues regarding these medication that is flavored and tastes good. containing chondroiton (derived from non- popular products, the Star-K has prepared All of the above is equally applicable on kosher bovine trachea cartilage) for chronic the following halachic guidelines based on Pesach to medication which contains debilitating arthritis pain.5 However, under the psak of Rabbi Moshe Heinemann, chometz. normal circumstances one may not take t’’yhka, Rabbinic Administrator of Star-K II. vbfx uc ihta vkuj - Someone whose life is non-kosher products if it requires eating in Kosher Certification.2 not in danger. This includes anyone who is a normal manner (e.g. non-kosher chewable bedridden, is noticeably not functioning up CATEGORIES OF ILLNESSES tablets that taste good). to par due to pain or illness, or has a fever aujhn thrc which is not potentially life threatening. A III. and - One who is experien- Before determining whether a non-kosher 6 child under six years of age who has cing slight discomfort (e.g. slight joint product may be taken, one must first 7 identify the category of illness. There are discomfort is also considered a uc ihta vkuj pains or a runny nose) or is healthy and three categories of illness: vbfx. This category also includes the takes vitamins and supplements to maintain following: good health should make every effort to I. vbfx uc aha vkuj - Someone who is ill and ensure that the product is either kosher whose life may be in danger. A uc aha vkuj ■ One who is experiencing symptoms of certified or contains all kosher ingredients. vbfx may use any non-kosher medication if the flu. If this is not possible, a Rav should be an equally effective kosher medicine is not ■ One who suffers from chronic debili- consulted since in some instances non- vkhft lrsf tka readily available. Included in this category is tating arthritis pain. kosher products taken may someone whose life is currently not in be permissible.8 danger, but if untreated could develop a life ■ One who suffers from migraine head- threatening complication. This includes an aches or mild depression. elderly person who has the flu or an infant ■ A pregnant woman suffering from with a fever. non-life threatening complications Additional examples include the following: (e.g. lower back pain). ■ One who has a heart condition, diabetes, ■ A woman who has substantially elevated blood pressure, given birth in the kidney disease, severe depression or any past thirty days with- other serious condition. out any known ■ problems or who is Someone with an infection (except for experiencing non- those skin infections known to be non-life life threatening threatening, e.g. acne) may take postpartum comp- antibiotics. lications. This may ■ A pregnant woman whose life is in apply for an ex- danger (e.g. blood clotting disorder, tended period of toxemia), or who is in active labor, or who time. is in danger of having a miscarriage. Those listed above may ■ A woman who has given birth within the take non-kosher medica- 1 Based on research conducted by IMS Health, Inc. 3 d’’x v’’be ’hx s’’uh g’’ua 2 This article is based on several different articles that have appeared in Kashrus 4z’’h hx vnka ,jbn ’hg Kurrents during the past decade. The purpose of this article is to address the kosher 5Glucosamine, another common arthritis remedy, is now available in kosher form.