STAR-K KOSHER CERTIFICATION rtnhyktcs ,urafv sgu Kashrus KurrentsVOLUME 27 NO. 1 Autumn 5767-2006 Brochos for Analyzing the Roots: Breakfast Hydroponics RABBI DOVID HEBER and Halacha STAR-K KASHRUS ADMINISTRATOR RABBI ZVI GOLDBERG One of the profound aspects of our Torah Hakdosha is the ability for anyone, STAR-K KASHRUS ADMINISTRATOR regardless of age or wisdom, to appreciate the Torah on his or her own level. For example, the posuk “B’reishis Barah Elokim” is studied by the greatest Torah scholars, as well as first grade children. This concept is also applicable to Hilchos Brochos. To The AeroGarden is a unique hydroponic system, a first grader studying for a Brochos Bee, or a Talmudic scholar studying Perek enabling home-growing of vegetables. (See sidebar Kaitzad Mevorchim in Masechta Brochos, learning about brochos can be fascinating. on page 3). The entrance of this system into the A daily and extremely relevant application of this principle lies in the area of marketplace presents an opportunity to discuss the brochos on breakfast cereals. What makes determining the correct brochos for these history and halachos of hydroponics. products so complicated? Technological advances in food manufacturing have had According to some accounts, the Hanging a great impact on Hilchos Brochos. A slight difference in production, or even in the Gardens of Babylon were hydroponically grown. manufacturer’s intention of the use of ingredients, can change the brocha. As will be The gardens hung strikingly from palace terraces explained, cereals such as puffed wheat or corn flakes produced by different and were considered one of the Seven Wonders of companies may look the same to the consumer. However, they may be the World. The gardens were supposedly manufactured differently, thereby changing the brocha recited. Often, this constructed by Nevuchadnetzar around 600 BCE in 1 background information is not available to the consumer; hence, the confusion and present-day Iraq, about 30 miles south of Baghdad. intrigue in discovering what goes on “behind the scenes” and its impact on Hilchos However, there is a lively discussion among Brochos. historians as to who built the gardens, how they To ensure the highest Kashrus standards, Star-K Kosher Certification inspects were planted, and indeed whether these gardens many food plants throughout the world. By doing this, the Star-K has the existed at all. The Talmud (Avoda Zara 38b) itself opportunity to either see or discuss manufacturing procedures that have a direct discusses the hydroponic sprouting of seeds, in impact on the brochos of various food items. The following information is what has what seems to have been a fairly common practice. been obtained by Kashrus professionals or heard from company personnel and then More recently, in the 1930’s, Dr. William presented to the Star-K Rabbinic Administrator, Rabbi Moshe Heinemann, shlita, for Gericke of the University of California conducted his Halachic insights and psak halacha. research with hydroponics. He coined the term “hydroponics”, derived from the Greek words, hydro I. Chameishes Minei Dagan Cereals (water) and ponos (labor), or “water-working.” Put simply, it means growing plants in a nutrient Special halachic status has been given to products coming from chameishes minei solution without soil. The science of hydroponics dagan, the five special grains: wheat, spelt, barley, oats, and rye.1 When these grains proved that soil is merely the holder of the are ground up, mixed with water, and baked into cake, cookies, crackers and other nutrients, the place where the plant roots pas haba’ah b’kisnin products, the brocha is Mezonos and the brocha achrona is Al traditionally live and a base of support for the plant Hamichya. If one is koveya seudah (eats enough to constitute a meal), the brocha is structure. Soil isn’t required for plant growth. The Hamotzi and one must recite Birchas Hamazon.2 One of the definitions of pas haba’ah elements, minerals and nutrients that soil contains b’kisnin is that the dough is baked into a hardened crispy product. Products such as pretzels and Post Grape Nuts cereal3 are included in this category of pas haba’ah CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 b’kisnin, and their brocha is Mezonos. The brocha on Cheerios, Wheaties, and Shredded Wheat cereals is also Mezonos, and the brocha achrona is Al Hamichya. In the above cases, the chameishes minei dagan is broken down. However, if the grains remain whole and are simply roasted, they are no different from any other variety of produce which grows from the ground (e.g., corn), and the brocha is Insidethis issue Hoadama.4 What this means is as follows: The brocha on unprocessed and slightly processed (e.g., toasted whole) wheat or oats is Hoadama. The brocha on fully Brochos for Breakfast ..........................................Page 1 CONTINUED ON PAGE 4 Hydroponics and Halacha ................................Page 1 3rd Annual Kashrus Training Program........Page 6 Popular Cereals & Their Brochos....................Page 7 New Under Star-K Certification ......................Page 8 Leadership in Kashrus Education Analyzing the Roots: Hydroponics&Halacha RABBI ZVI GOLDBERG CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 such as carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, insects which are commonly found in melachos, prohibited categories of work on potassium and magnesium can be supplied outdoor grown plants.6 However, we cannot Shabbos and Yom Tov. Therefore, on those in liquid solutions. Plants are supported by guarantee that vegetables grown with the kit days the seeds may not be placed in their porous material, such as sand, gravel, foam will be insect-free. Insects which commonly base, nor may nutrients or water be added.7 or glass wool that acts as a wick in relaying thrive indoors may find their way onto the There are also restrictions on some melachos the nutrient solution from its source to the vegetables. In addition, in rare cases, insects on Chol Hamoed. One should therefore roots. could possibly land on the plants by entering ensure that the proper nutrients and water In 1945, the United States Air Force built the home on clothes or other vegetables. For are added before the onset of Yom Tov so that one of the first large hydroponic farms on these reasons, a cursory inspection and a there is no need to add them on Chol Ascension Island, a barren island in the washing of the vegetables before use is Hamoed. South Atlantic, followed by additional farms advised. As an additional precaution against The vegetables may not be harvested on on Iwo Jima and Okinawa in the Pacific. infestation, Star-K is working with AeroGrow Shabbos or Yom Tov due to the prohibition of These hydroponic farms helped to supply to offer a mesh covering as an accessory to kotzer, reaping.8 On Chol Hamoed, they may fresh vegetables to troops stationed in these the kit. One may improvise and fashion his be harvested for Chol Hamoed or Yom Tov use. areas. Over the past few decades, Although the AeroGarden lights go on researchers in Israel have been at the and off during Shabbos, this is forefront of hydroponic study.2 permitted since the system is Presently, the most common automated without further input.9 hydroponic crop grown in the United Israel States is tomatoes, followed by Due to the special status of Eretz cucumbers, lettuce, herbs, and pep- Yisroel, generally vegetables grown pers. In addition, every day many there must have ma’asros, tithes, hydroponic vegetables are brought in separated. However, if the from Canada, Mexico and Europe. AeroGarden kit is used to grow Now let’s discuss the various vegetables in Eretz Yisroel, ma’asros halachos which are applicable to the need not be separated from the AeroGarden, and to hydroponics in vegetables. This is because general. hydroponically grown vegetables are Brocha free from the obligation to separate The brocha on hydroponically ma’asros.10 In addition, they may be grown vegetables is Shehakol.3 The grown during the Sabbatical year of brocha of Hoadama is applicable only Shmitta.11 to vegetables which actually grow from the own insect barrier by covering the garden On a related note, if the seeds in the kits adama, the earth.4 As noted above, many with mesh or a cloth. were to come from Eretz Yisroel, the seeds commercially sold tomatoes are grown In addition to romaine and other types would not be subject to the laws of ma’asros hydroponically. Still, unless one knows of lettuce, one can grow herbs such as or Shmitta. These seeds are not edible seeds, definitively that the produce was grown cilantro, dill, and parsley. Herbs are and the Mishnah in Ma’asros 5:8 states that hydroponically, one should assume it was especially prone to infestation, are difficult non-edible seeds are not subject to ma’asros earth-grown and recite Hoadama.5 It is to check, and are not widely available to the or Shmitta.12 In any event, Star-K has important to note that Israeli exported kosher consumer as ‘certified insect-free’. determined that the AeroGarden seeds are greenhouse grown romaine lettuce (Alei Katif The kit is helpful in controlling infestation not from Eretz Yisroel. for these varieties. brand) is not grown hydroponically. The Marror brocha on these vegetables is Hoadama. Hydroponically grown vegetables (lettuce, herbs, etc.) sold commercially Hydroponic romaine lettuce should not 13 Insects without kosher certification should be be used for marror at the Pesach Seder. The Star-K’s certification of the AeroGarden is thoroughly checked since they grow under reasoning for this is as follows: It is unclear essentially a statement that the system is an conditions unknown to the consumer. whether the brocha of Hamotzi relieves one appropriate method of controlling insects in of the obligation to recite a brocha on marror.