CONGREGATION TORAS CHAIM An intimate space…Grow at your pace. March 1-2, 2013 . 20 Adar, 5773 . Shabbos Parshas Ki Sisa, Parah Candlelighting: 6:07 PM . Shabbos Ends 7:08 PM Kiddush this Shabbos is sponsored by the shul. Shalosh Seudos this Shabbos is sponsored by the shul. Please contact Rabbi Yaakov Rich at 972-835-6016 if you are interested in sponsoring kiddush or shalosh seudos in the future. SHABBOS SCHEDULE person to thank for that, Rabbi Tuvia (Tobias) Geffen, Chief Rabbi Friday Night, March 1st of Atlanta, Georgia for many decades. He was one of the select few » Mincha/Kabbalos Shabbos/Maariv–6:05P who actually knew the closely guarded secret ingredient in Coke. » Candlelighting–6:07P Back in the 1920’s and 30’s, Coke was looking to (and I’m sure still Shabbos Day, March 2nd is) expand their market share, when it came to their attention that » Shacharis–8:30A » Chumash Shiur (for men & women)–4:40P if they received a hashgacha(kosher certification), then many more » Mincha (no Shalosh Seudos in shul)–5:40P Jews (and others who look specifically for kosher products) would » Shabbos Ends–7:08P drink freely of the “pause that refreshes”. WEEKDAY SCHEDULE So the directors approached the most-likely candidate to » Shacharis Sunday–8:00A grant Rabbinic supervision, Rabbi Geffen. Coke was, after all, in- » Shacharis M-Fri–6:40A vented and headquartered in Atlanta. He was more than willing to » Maariv–9:00P check it out, as many of his congregants were asking him about the kosher status of Coke. WHAT’S NU AT CTC » Thank You: Congregation Toras Chaim expresses sincere gratitude to His findings were mixed, for although technically the drink Avi Harpaz for the amazing job he did to run our Purim Mishloach Ma- was kosher and was permitted to be drunk, it was questionable if he nos fundraiser. Yasher Koach, Avi! was allowed to give it his seal of approval to allow observant Jews » A DifferentK ind of Meat Sale: The Entire Line-up of Romanian Kosher to purchase it. The reasons were that it turned out that there was a Meats of Chicago: Romanian in Chicago – a real old world deli – makes non-kosher ingredient in the makeup of Coke, but it was only pres- all of their meats on premises. This is not a mass-market production ent in minute quantities. Therefore, it would be permitted to drink, with preservatives and fillers. It is 100% pure quality! The best meat is for the non-kosher ingredient was battel b’shishim (meaning there always worth the price, especially when you think about the alternatives was present at least 60 times the amount of kosher against the non- from major grocery chains. Kosher for Passover / Supervision by OU kosher), and was, for all intents and purpose, considered nullified and CRC / Meat comes vacuum sealed for freshness and cleanliness / Perfect for a snack, to spice up the Shabbos or Yom Tov table, and they according to Jewish Law. make a great gift. Pickup is at Congregation Toras Chaim, 7119 Bremer- However, for him to grant Coke hashgacha, posed a dif- ton Ct., Dallas, TX 75252, March 17, 2013 at 10 AM. Orders must be ferent problem in a different category, that of “Ain Mevattelin Issur received no later than Monday, March 11, 2013, by 11 PM. L’chatchila, or that one may not purposefully nullify a non–kosher » Chilli Cookoff:The shul will be fielding a team again this year. Co-Cap- ingredient”. This means that although if the non-kosher substance tains are Ehoud Wilson and Shimshon Cook. Anyone interested in help- would accidentally fall into kosher food (as long as there was the ing please speak with Shimshon. We are looking for volunteers. prerequisite sixty times the amount of non-kosher that fell in) it » New Class: Relationships & Marriage: The Torah Way: A class for any would be permitted to drink. Nonetheless, if one would add it on man - married and looking to get married - interested in having an en- purpose with the express intention of nullifying it, the halacha during, healthy and happy relationship with a truly fantastic woman. is that the entire mixture becomes forbidden for the person who REFUAH SHELAIMA transgressed and for whomever he intended to benefit. » Shlomo ben Sorah (Father of Wes Sutkin) The issue at stake here was that the Coca-Cola Company » Shaul ben Yehudit (Shaul Cajas) was obviously putting this non-kosher ingredient in the batch pur- » Yael Miriam bas Chaya (Niece of Hillel & Jill Lichtenstein) posefully, as it was part and parcel of the Coke everyone knew and » Mattisyahu Chaim ben Ettel (HaRav Mattisyahu Solomon) loved. » Ella bas Naomi (Cousin of Naomi Goldberg) On the other hand, it was not just a simple open and shut » Baruch Tzadik ben Chava (Relative of Jill Lichtenstein) question, for the Coca-Cola Company was not owned or run by WAYS TO EnsURE THE FINANCIAL HEALTH AND Jews, and quite obviously was not marketing Coke exclusively for WELLBEING OF OUR SHUL Jews. There are a number of ways you can help to support the ongoing Therefore, Rabbi Geffen was in a bit of a dilemma: did this programming and growth of our shul. situation fall under the category of “Ain Mevattelin Issur L’chatchila” » Dues (Early Bird: $800, Regular: $900) and therefore be unacceptable for purchase by the kosher consum- » General Donation er? And, even if it did not, and was permissible for purchase, was he » Shabbos Kiddush Sponsorship ($150) allowed to give his hashgacha, or Rabbinic approval, on a product » Shabbos Shalosh Seudos Sponsorship ($50) » Week of Learning Sponsorship ($180) that contained a non-kosher ingredient? » Ongoing Meat Sales Before we get to the punch line, let us explore the Halachic » Purim Mishloach Manos Program issues involved. There are various schools of thought among the Halachic THE COCA COLA KASHRUS CONTROVErsY: RABBI authorities as per the status of a non-Jew’s nullification. YEHUDAH spITZ Some Halachic decisors make a distinction between a sce- Aah! The cool refreshing taste of the “Real Thing”! Is there nario where a non-Jew nullifies non-kosher, where a Jew is allowed anything (besides maybe baseball and apple pie) that is consid- to eat of the mixture; as opposed to where a non-Jew is selling non- ered more American? Everyone also knows that around the world kosher, where they maintain that it is forbidden for a Jew to pur- (pretty much) there is almost nothing more kosher than good, old- chase. They reason that when a Jew is purchasing the item from the fashioned Coke. Why, you can even ask Grandma, that back in the non-Jew, it is as if he himself nullified it, and therefore it becomes day (before mp3s, microwaves, dishwashers, and even World War forbidden for him to eat. II), it was “Always Coca-Cola”, as it was THE drink of choice for all, Many authorities, however, disagree with this reasoning even the strict kosher consumer. and conclude that it is improbable to make such a distinction. They However it wasn’t always that way. We all have a certain maintain that it is acceptable to procure items that contain nullified Congregation toras Chaim • rabbi Yaakov riCh • 7119 bremerton Ct., dallas, tX 75252 • 972-835-6016 • www.torasChaimdallas.org non-kosher ingredients in its makeup, providing that the nullifica- PARSHA Q&A: KI SISA tion itself was done by a non-Jew. The reason for this is that for a 1. How many “geira” are in a shekel? 30:13 - Twenty. non-Jew, it was never forbidden to actively nullify it. As such, the 2. What was the minimum age of military service in the Jewish item is not restricted by or beholden to the laws of “Ain Mevattelin army? 30:14 - Twenty. Issur” and therefore is suitable for purchase. 3. What were the three different types of terumah donated? 30:15 However, this matter is even more complicated, for yet - For the adanim (sockets), for the purchase of communal sac- other authorities further qualify this permissible ruling. They main- rifices, and for the building of the Mishkan. tain that although one may rely upon a non-Jew’s occasional nul- 4. The Jews were counted after Yom Kippur and again after Pe- lification for purchase, conversely, if the non-Jew is doing it for his sach. Both times they numbered the same amount. How can job, or on a frequent basis, then certainly it is considered as if the this be? Didn’t some 19-year olds turn 20 during that six month Jew himself nullified it. Following this ruling would seem to imply period? 30:16 - Their ages were calculated based on Rosh Ha- that Coke would have to be prohibited to the kosher consumer, as it shana, not based on their individual birthdays. is definitely mass produced. 5. How many ingredients comprise the incense of the Mishkan? So, now us being the wiser, having a rudimentary under- 30:34 - Eleven ingredients were used making the incense. standing of the issues involved, what did Rabbi Geffen decide to 6. According to Rashi, why are sailors called “malachim?” 30:35 - do? Feeling uncomfortable by having to make such a decision (sort Because they stir (malach) the water with their oars. of like between a rock and a hard place), where Gedolim through 7. What is the difference between chochma (wisdom), bina the ages have taken stands on both sides of the matter, he did the (understanding), and da’at (knowledge)? 31:3 - Chochma is only thing he felt he could do – try to make shalom! He went to knowledge acquired from others.