Maras Ayin and Kosher
Walking down the supermarket aisle, we often find interesting things on the shelf. Years ago, the thought of pareve cream cheese, pareve chicken soup, vegetarian chicken nuggets, pareve ice cream, or meatless meatballs would have sounded like a frivolous joke. However, today these products and the like are in high demand and sold at kosher stores around the U.S. and abroad. The pareve market, for example, has become increasingly popular in recent years and food companies have actively pursued innovative ways to create pareve versions of products traditionally assumed to be milichig or fleishig. Nevertheless, a product might be perfectly 100% kosher and still be subject to scrutiny vis-à-vis the Shulchan Aruch. Let us briefly examine the issue of maris ayin, the way that it affects modern day kashrus supervision, and the food we bring into our homes.
The Mashgichim in the Field
Keeping kosher has never been easy before as it is today. Not only can we walk down supermarket aisles and purchase whatever we need, there are even choices. Companies recognizing the value of kosher certification as a marketing tool pursue kosher certification as a means of expanding their sales. From basic staples to snack foods […]
Next Stop, Bombay! The Life of a Wandering Mashgiach
Dr. Avraham Meyer’s idea of a dream vacation is exploring his Manchester, England backyard and getting to sleep in his own bed for more than three nights in a row. For close to two decades, Dr. Meyer, the Orthodox Union’s (OU) Senior European rabbinic field representative (RFR), has been hopping planes, trains, taxis and cars […]
OU Direct, Account Management Tool for OU KOSHER Companies, Adds Online Ingredient Automation
OU Direct, the six-part website which OU Certified companies use to manage their accounts, became even more direct today with the enhancement of Online Ingredient Automation. This newest feature will enable companies to easily manage their Schedule A’s and add ingredients via the web – avoiding the paperwork that registering these ingredients used to entail. […]
Following Major Success of Previous Event, The OU’s Harry H. Beren ASK OU Outreach Program Returns
Following Major Success of Previous Event, The OU’s Harry H. Beren Ask Outreach Program Returns To Lakewood For Programs Motzei Shabbat, December 6 And 13, January 10 And 17
Kosher to Present Program on Mesorah-Birds
“Encountering the Living Mesorah: Kosher Birds and their Mutations” Thursday, November 27 9:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Yeshiva University Furst Hall, Room 501 500 West 185 Street More than 50 exotic birds, including pygmy pouters, frizzles, Rhode Island reds, runts, silkies, the ring neck dove, the red jungle fowl, and everyone’s favorite, the melanistic mutant […]
Back by Popular Demand: OU Kosher to Present Webcast, “Kosher Home, Sweet Home, Part II” November 25
“If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen,” was former President Harry S. Truman’s slogan. “If all your questions weren’t answered, get back in the kitchen,” may be the motto of OU Kosher’s upcoming webcast “Kosher Home, Sweet Home, Part II,” to take place Tuesday, November 25 at 2:00 p.m. EST on […]
Three Week Course for Future Kashrut Professionals
Late this summer, Binyomin Radner, who learns at Beth Medrash Govoha in Lakewood, was an intern in the three-week kashrut training program, ASKOU9, offered by the Orthodox Union Kashrut Division to rabbis, advanced rabbinical students and kollel members to prepare them for careers in kosher certification. Recently, the grateful young man sent this letter to […]
Shechitah Seforim
A selection of Seforim about Shechitah
Yeshiva University Non-Science Majors Come to OU Kosher to Explore Chemistry and Kashrut
Yeshiva University Non-Science Majors Come To OU Kosher To Explore Checmistry And Kashrut, in Practical Applications of Torah Law