Articles
Instagram With (O)Us!
OU Kosher maintains a growing Instagram presence that is enhanced by the participation of our certified companies. Our certified companies have been featured in posts and in stories, and, if the product looks delicious enough, that post is often followed by comments as Kosher consumers wonder where they can purchase the product pictured. OU Kosher […]
Impossible Burger: Coming Soon to a Grocery Store Near You!
The Impossible Burger, certified by OU Kosher, has been a huge hit in restaurants, both Kosher and non-Kosher across the country. Now consumers will get what they have been clamoring for ever since they first tried the Impossible Burger. For the first time it will be available in grocery stores for consumer purchase. Read more […]
OUKosher Visits the Thaifex World of Food Show 2018
For the last 15 years, the Thaifex World of Food show in Bangkok has been the ultimate food show for innovation. Vendors and visitors travel from across the globe to show off their food and beverage products or to sample some of the products that may not have even hit the market. Some of the […]
The OU Kosher Top Ten Consumer Passover Questions
OU Kosher presents the top ten consumer questions received before Passover You can call the OU Kosher hotline (212-613-8241) to answer your Passover questions. NOTE: These statements are valid for Passover 2018 only. ——————————————————————————– 1. Q: Does water require special certification for Passover? A: All unflavored and without the addition of minerals bottled water, seltzer and sparkling water is kosher […]
A Guide for Mitzvah-Keepers with Housekeepers
Mi-Hu Yehudi? Here’s an Erev Shabbos “mishap” you don’t hear about very often… A rabbi, the scion of a rabbinic dynasty, sees that things are particularly busy in his home one Erev Shabbos and he asks his Hispanic non-Jewish housekeeper if she can perhaps stay into Shabbos. She agrees readily, but on one condition: they […]
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 […]
What is Yoshon?
The source for the laws pertaining to Yoshon are found in Vayikra (23:9-14). These laws are applicable to the Chamishas HaMinim of barley, oats, rye, spelt and wheat.
These grains are Yoshon if they took root prior to Pesach. If the grains did not take root prior to Pesach then they are chadash until the subsequent Pesach. There is a halachic dispute if the hashrashah (grain taking root) must be 3 days or two weeks prior to Pesach. The laws of chadash do not apply to other grains such as rice, corn and buckwheat.
Halachos of the Hive
A discussion of the differences between honey and royal jelly in regards to Kosher.
The OU: Mastering the Challenges of Producing Kosher Wine
Over the last ten years there has been a veritable explosion in the certification of kosher wine. Kosher wine is now produced on every continent and in most of the world’s premier wine regions. While the manufacture and handling of kosher wines (and grape juice) involves certain unique challenges, with the OU’s experience and expertise these have been met and overcome, providing consumers an ever- increasing variety of kosher wine products.