Rav Belsky, zt”l – An Appreciation
The last mishnah in Masechet Uktzin states: אמר רבי יהושע בן לוי: עתיד הקדוש ברוך הוא להנחיל לכל צדיק וצדיק שלש מאות ועשרה עולמות, שנאמר,”להנחיל לאוהבי יש ואצרתיהם אמלא.” -משלי ח:כא Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said: In the future, the Holy One, Blessed is He, will cause every righteous person to inherit 310 worlds, as it says, […]
Interactions with Rav Belsky, zt“l – Redefining the Word “Irreplaceable”
Ever since my first encounter with Rav Belsky at OU Headquarters, where I had the zechus (privilege) to present shailos, halachic questions, about sensitive kashrus matters to Rav Belsky for almost two decades and to gain from his immense wisdom, I have been spoiled, as have been all of my colleagues at OU Kosher who […]
A Giant in Our Midst: The Legacy of Rav Chaim Yisroel Belsky zt”l at the OU
Last week, the OU suffered an enormous loss with the passing of Moreinu Virabeinu, Harav Hagaon, Rav Chaim Yisroel Belsky zt”l, who provided halachic and spiritual guidance to the OU Kashrus Department for more than 28 years. The OU was not the only organization to experience an enormous loss. Rabbi Belsky had an amazing array of talents and […]
Rabbi Belsky Remembered
I was not a talmid of Rabbi Belsky in Yeshiva Torah Vodaath or in Camp Agudah as I did not attend either. My association with Rabbi Belsky was in the OU where I had the great zechus of interacting with him on kashruth matters, so my recollections of him are mostly anecdotal. Rabbi Yisroel Belsky […]
OU Kosher Halacha Yomis Email Series
It is with great excitement that we present to the general public, OU Kosher Halacha Yomis. We believe that this feature will be of great value and importance to Klal Yisroel. At the same time, we launch this new endeavor during a week of Shiva, as we mourn the passing of Moreinu Virabeinu, Harav Hagoan, […]
Rabbi Chaim Yisroel Belsky zt”l Passes Away
Rabbi Chaim Yisroel Belsky zt”l, senior halachic consultant for the Orthodox Union, a roshei yeshiva of Yeshiva Torah Vodaath and a luminary of Orthodox Judaism, passed away on January 28 after a battle with cancer. He was 77. “We at the Orthodox Union join the rest of the Jewish people in mourning the loss of Rav Chaim Yisroel […]
OU KOSHER’S Beren Ask OU Outreach Program Receives Welcome in Brooklyn with Overwhelming Numbers
To a packed shul as well as Ezras Nashim, the recent Harry H. Beren ASK OU OUTREACH Program in Brooklyn at Agudas Yisroel Bais Binyomin was a resounding success. After Tehillim for Rav Yisroel Belsky, Shlita and greetings by the Mora D’Asra, Rav Moshe Tuvia Lieff, fascinating shiurim were given by Rabbi Menachem Genack, CEO […]
OU Medical Marijuana Statement
Recently, the OU granted certification to pharmaceutical-grade medical marijuana extract products manufactured by Vireo Health of New York. There has been much confusion and misinformation about these products, and the OU has received numerous communications expressing surprise about the OU decision to grant certification to marijuana products. Two main concerns have been expressed: a) OU endorsement […]
ASK OU Shiurim Now Available for Online Viewing
Orthodox Union kashrus experts returned to Brooklyn on Sunday evening January 3, 2016 and provided a large crowd of men and women with a high-level shiur on various aspects of kashrus. The program, one in a continuing series of Harry H. Beren ASK OU OUTREACH sessions, was held at Agudas Yisroel Bais Binyomin. Following greetings by the Mora […]
The Heat Is On: The Rise of Sriracha Sauce, and Its Ubiquity In Kosher Products
As BTUS readers are well aware, kosher tastes have evolved significantly from those depicted in yesteryear’s renditions of traditional Jewish fare. As kosher has become mainstream for consumer products not targeted specifically for an ethnic audience, the need for manufacturers to accommodate new tastes into kosher has been something we at OU Kosher are well […]