May Non-Pesach Certified Milk Be Used If Bottled Before Pesach?
Chametz before Pesach is like any other issur in that it can be batel b’shishim. However, if pirurim (crumbs) of chametz b’en might remain in the food, even if those crumbs are batel chad b’trei, the chametz on Pesach will bechozer v’niyur. However, Rema (O.C. 447:4) writes that if the chametz is lach b’lach (either […]
Azkarah for the Shloshim of Rav Belsky at OU Kosher – A Unique Gadol in Halacha and in Kashrus
On 20 Adar I/March 2, OU Kosher held a major azkarah for the Shloshim of Rav Chaim Yisroel Belsky zt”l, who served as senior OU posek for Kashrus for almost three decades. The packed crowd, which included OU senior leadership and staff, as well as a large contingency of the Belsky family, heard OU Kosher […]
HaRav Chaim Yisroel HaLevi Belsky, Zatsal: Recorded, Remembered, and Reflected Upon
For just shy of 16 years, I had the immeasurable Zechus to interact with Maran HaGaon HaRav Chaim Yisroel HaLevi Belsky, Zatzal, in his capacity as a Senior Poseik with the Kashrus Division of the Orthodox Union (“the OU”), in which I serve as a Rabbinic Coordinator. I would like to share here some of […]
Praise Abounds for OU Kosher’s New Halacha Yomis Program in Memory of Rav Belsky zt”l
Late this past January, in response to a severe illness that threatened the life of its posek (halachic decisor) Rav Chaim Yisroel Belsky, OU Kosher announced a new program, Halacha Yomis, in which a kashrus halacha would be emailed to subscribers each working day. The program was organized, as OU Kosher noted, with the hope […]
Kosher Brings Out the Best at Winter Fancy Food Show 2016
For the past 25 years I’ve been coming to San Francisco every year to attend the Winter Fancy Food show. I admit, getting out of the New York winter every January is certainly a bonus, but attending this growing event is much more than a foodie’s dream, it’s a reunion of the important players in […]
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 […]
