Bishul Akum: Difference between revisions

#The Chachomim<ref>This gezeirah is d’rabanan in nature (Meseches Avodah Zarah 38b, Yerushalmi Meseches Avodah Zarah 2:8, Ran Meseches Avodah Zarah page 28 “rebbe,” Rosh Meseches Chullin 3:61,  Issur V’heter 43:1, Rambam Hilchos Machalas Asuros 17:9, Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 113:16, Aruch Hashulchan 113:1, Sdei Chemed mareches bais page 133:69, see Teshuvos V’hanhagos 3:247 who seems to say there is a semach to a d’oraisa and therefore one should be very careful with these halachos).  Refer to Kav Hayosher 75:5. </ref> enacted a gezeirah forbidding food that was cooked by a non-Jew.<ref>Meseches Avodah Zarah 35b.</ref> However, it is permitted to derive benefit from the food.<ref>Meseches Avodah Zarah 38b. </ref>

#There are a number of reasons for this gezeirah. The opinion of Rashi<ref>Rashi (Beitzah 16a s.v. ein and Avodah Zarah 35b s.v. v’hashlakos) and Tosfot (Avoda Zara 38a). Refer to Rambam Hilchos Machalas Asuros 17:15, Tur Y.D. 113, Ramban Meseches Avodah Zarah 35b.</ref> is that chazal wanted to prevent socializing with non-Jews, which might lead to intermarriage<ref>Devarim 7:3. </ref> (chasnus).<ref>Rambam Hilchos Machalas Asuros 17:15, Issur V’heter 43:1, Tur Y.D. 112. Refer to Pardes Yosef Vayeichi 49:page 838 (new). The issur applies even if one may not come to intermarriage (Refer to Rashba 1:248, Ramban Meseches Avodah Zarah 35b, Levush Y.D. 113:1, Shevet Hakehasi 6:273). There is no difference if the non-Jew bows down to idols or not in regard to this halacha (See Pri Tohar 112:3, Matei Yehonosson 112, Rav Poalim Y.D. 4:17, Yechaveh Daas 5:54, see Rav Poalim Y.D. 4:17, Shema Shlomo Y.D. 2:67, Shulchan Melachim pages 194-198).  Regarding whether an issue of bishul akum exists if there will be animosity see Taz Y.D. 152:1, Shach on Taz Y.D. 152:1, Chavos Yuer 66, Shulchan Melachim pages 189-194 in depth. </ref> Rashi in Meseches Avodah Zarah<ref>38a “m’d’rabanan.” Refer to Tur 113, Ha’go’es Ashri Meseches Avodah Zarah 2:28, Levush 113:1, Chochmas Adom 66:1. </ref> says that we are concerned that if the Jew often eats the non-Jew's food, the non-Jew might later serve a non-kosher food item to the Jew.<ref>Refer to Bishul Yisroel page 3:footnote 1 on the two views of Rashi. </ref> Most poskim agree with the first reason.<ref>Rambam Hilchos Machalas Asuros 17:9, 15, Tosfas Meseches Avodah Zarah 38a “ela”,  Issur  V’heter 43:1, Tosfas Harid Meseches Avodah Zarah 35b, Ohr Zeruah Meseches Avodah Zarah 2:190:page 53, Tur 113, Bais Yosef 113, Bach, Levush 113:1, Taz 1, Shach 1, Prisha 3, Chochmas Adom 66:1, Pischei Teshuva 113:1, Aruch Hashulchan 2, 6, Kaf Hachaim 1, Chelkes Binyomin 113:1. The Halichos Shlomo Moadim 2:3:footnote 11 says the reason for the increase in intermarriage today is because of the many leniencies we accept for bishul akum. </ref> Chazal were more stringent with bishul (cooking) than with [[Pat Akum|bread of a non-Jew]].<ref>Shach 112:17, Aruch Hashulchan 113:1-2, see Mesora 1:pages 84-85. Refer to Igros Moshe Y.D. 1:45, Noam Halacha page 64:footnote 3 in depth.</ref>

#There are two basic exceptions to the gezeirah. A food that falls into either of these two categories<ref>This is expressed in Tosfas in Meseches Avodah Zarah 38a “ika”,  and “dagim”,  and codified by the poskim. Refer to Rosh Meseches Avodah Zarah 2:28:page 83, Ran page 15, Rashba Meseches Avodah Zarah 38a, Ramban Meseches Avodah Zarah 37b, Toras Habayis 3:7, Meiri Meseches Avodah Zarah 38a, Rambam Hilchos Machalas Asuros 17:14-15, Bais Yosef 113,  Bach, Shulchan Aruch 113:1, Levush 2,  Aruch Hashulchan 5. Refer to Mordechai Meseches Avodah Zarah 830:page 42.</ref> is not subject to the halachos of [[bishul]] akum and may be eaten by a Jew l'chatchilah.<ref>Chelkes Binyomin 113:3.</ref>

#The issur of [[bishul]] akum is limited to foods which are served on a king's table<ref>Meseches Avodah Zarah 38a, Rosh 2:28, Ran page 15, Rashba Meseches Avodah Zarah 38a, Rambam Hilchos Machalas Asuros 17:15, Tur 113, Shulchan Aruch 113:1,  Levush 3, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 38:6, Chochmas Adom 66:1, see Ritvah Meseches Avodah Zarah 38a. </ref> (oleh al shulchan melachim) and accompany bread (see below) (such as meat,<ref>Aruch Hashulchan 10. </ref> eggs, or fish)<ref>Rambam Hilchos Machalas Asuros 17:15, Ritvah Meseches [[Shabbos]] 51a, Meiri Meseches Avodah Zarah 35a. </ref> or as an appetizer.<ref>Rambam Hilchos Machalas Asuros 17:18, Issur V’heter 43:2, Tur 113, Bais Yosef, Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 113:1, Toras Chatos 75:16, Shach 112:5, Chochmas Adom 66:1, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 38:6, Chelkes Binyomin 113:12, [[Bishul]] Yisroel pages 180-181. Others say a dessert which is not eaten with bread is not a concern (Pri [[Chadash]] 114:6, Chasam Sofer 113:2, Kaf Hachaim 7), while others disagree (Refer to Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 113:1, Aruch Hashulchan 7, Darchei Teshuva 12). </ref> Only these types of foods are served at social gatherings and only then is there the concern for intermarriage.<ref>Rashba Toras Habayis 3:7. </ref> When there is no invitation, there is also no concern that the Jew will become used to eating the non-Jew's food, and therefore, there is no concern that the non-Jew might later serve the Jew non-Kosher.<ref>Chachmas Adam 66:1. See Chelkas Binyomin 113:3, and [[Bishul]] Yisroel pages 130-131. </ref>

#The poskim debate the definition of "eaten raw." Some say that it depends on each individual's eating habits.<ref>Pri [[Chadash]] 113:2-3, Aruch Hashulchan 112:12, Darchei Teshuva 113:3 quoting the opinion of the Bnei Chai.</ref> However, many say that it follows the custom of most people.<ref>Rashi Meseches Avodah Zarah 38b “l’inyun”, Rashba Toras Habayis 3:7. Refer to Chochmas Adom 66:3. Refer to Shiurei Beracha  113:1, Darchei Teshuva 3, Chochmas Adom 66:4, Aruch Hashulchan 113:12, Kaf Hachaim 10, Shevet Ha’Levi 5:93:page 97, Chelkes Binyomin 113:6, Be’er Moshe quoted in Pischei Halacha (Kashrus) page 116:16. Refer to Chelkes Yaakov 113:5. </ref> Accordingly, if most people eat a food raw then one may eat it if a non-Jew cooked it. Even if he personally would not eat this food raw, his da'as is botel to all the other people.<ref>Chelkes Binyomin 113:6, see Biurim “nechal.”</ref>

#We mentioned earlier that food which is fit to be served on a king's table is subject to the halachos of [[bishul]] akum.<ref>Refer to Darchei Teshuva 113:10 if this applies to a Jewish king or non-Jewish king. In addition refer to [[Bishul]] Yisroel pages 187-188 if this applies to something which is fit for a king’s table sometimes. See Tosfas Meseches Beitzah 16b “dagim”,  Avodah Zarah 38a “dagim”.</ref> This term requires clarification. What if a king eats it for breakfast but would not eat it for supper? Some say that this refers to food that would be served at a royal dinner;<ref>Based on the Gemorah in Meseches Avodah Zarah 38a. Refer to Shevet Hakehasi 6:274:4. </ref> the prevailing opinion is that it refers to anyone of stature, not just a king.<ref>Issur V’heter 43:2, Shiurei Beracha Y.D. 113:2, Ben Ish Chai Chukas 2:9, Zivchei Tzedek 113:2, Kaf Hachaim 13:2. Refer to Aruch Hashulchan 18 who seems to hold this way as well. See Chelkes Binyomin 113:10, [[Bishul]] Yisroel page 133.  See Shulchan Melachim 2:pages 1164-1165. </ref> Others say it means food which would be served at a state dinner,<ref>Refer to Kashrus Kurrents from the Star-K “Food Fit For A King”.</ref> while some apply it even if a food is eaten by a king at breakfast<ref>Refer to Mesora 1:page 86:2, Shulchan Melachim 2:page 1209:3.  </ref> (this is not l'halacha). Others are of the opinion that it refers to a food that one would serve on [[Shabbos]] to invites guests,<ref>Based on the opinion of the Rambam in Hilchos Machalas Asuros 17:15, Be’er Moshe quoted in Pischei Halacha (Kashrus) page 116:18, opinion of Harav Falk Shlita in [[Bishul]] Yisroel (teshuvos) page 28:3. Refer to [[Bishul]] Yisroel pages 134-135 who says this clause is not mentioned in Shulchan Aruch, but it seems to be l’halacha anyways. </ref> or food served at a seudas mitzvah.<ref>Shevet Ha’kehusi 6:274:4, see Dinei Machalei Nuchrim pages 18-19. </ref> Harav Yisroel Belsky and is the OU policy hold that it refers to food served at a wedding smorgasbord.<ref>Based on a personal conversation. Refer to [[Bishul]] Yisroel (teshuvos) page 28:3 who does not seem to agree with this. </ref> Examples of foods which do not fit the above and are permitted are: chickpeas,<ref>Refer to Darchei Moshe 113:3, Rama 113:2, Aruch Hashulchan 13, 15-16, Halichos Olom 7:pages 102-103, Opinion of the Be’er Moshe quoted in Pischei Halacha (Kashrus) page 119:14, Halichos Olom 7:page 102,  OU Documents A-64:1, A-130, M-7. Refer to Rambam Hilchos Machalas Asuros 17:17, Ben Ish Chai Chukas 2:12. See Minchas Yaakov 75:31 who says (in his days) cooked chickpeas were fit to be served on a king’s table.</ref> corn, snacks,<ref>Toras Chaim Avodah Zarah 38a, Zechor L’Avraham 5762-5763:page 749, Teshuvos V’hanhagos 1:438, Noam Halacha page 190, opinion of Harav Elyashiv Shlita quoted in [[Bishul]] Yisroel page 169:footnote 3, Kitzur Hilchos [[Bishul]] Akum (Sharf) 11. </ref> Rice Krispies,<ref>Be’er Moshe quoted in Pischei Halacha (Kashrus) page 117:21, Star-K article entitled “Food Fit For A King”.</ref> and popcorn.<ref>Pischei Halacha (Kashrus) page 118:2, Rivevos Ephraim 7:page 450, Noam Halacha page 193, Chai Ha’Levi 4:50:10. </ref>

#There is a discussion in the poskim if an important person should go beyond the letter of the law regarding the laws of [[bishul]] akum. Some poskim say that such a person should refrain from any food cooked by a non-Jew even if it can be eaten raw, if it is fit to be served on a king's table.<ref>Refer to Meseches [[Shabbos]] 51a, Meiri [[Shabbos]] 51a, Ritvah 51a, Shach Y.D. 152:2, Bach Y.D. 113, Shiurei Beracha 113:4-5, Tosfas [[Shabbos]] O.C. 257:17 in depth, Kaf Hachaim 12, Shevet Ha’kehasi 4:200, M’Bais Levi 8:page 31:13, Shevet Ha’Levi 6:108:3, Minchas Yaakov 75:30, Dinei Machalei Nuchrim page 9:footnote 4, see Pri Megadim Eishel Avraham 257:15. The Taz 3 says it is a pious act. Some even says this applies to water (Kaf Hachaim 13 quoting the opinion of the Arizal). </ref> The reason is that if one sees an important person being lenient even though it is permitted al pi din, the onlooker will potentially be more lenient in a circumstance where it can be forbidden.<ref>Rashi Meseches [[Shabbos]] 51a s.v. adom, Meiri Meseches [[Shabbos]] 51a </ref> If it is eaten raw and fit to be served on a king's table one should be stringent.<ref>Refer to [[Bishul]] Yisroel pages 385-386. </ref> However, others disregard this concern,<ref>Dugel Mirvuva Y.D. 113, Zivchei Tzedek 113:10, Machzik Beracha O.C. 257:2, Kaf Hachaim  113:12, Hamesivta 5754:page 82, see Chelkes Binyomin 113:4. </ref> and the custom seems to follow the latter opinion.<ref>Harav Yisroel Belsky Shlita, see Pri [[Chadash]] 113:3, Aruch Hashulchan Y.D. 113:11, Chai Ha’Levi 4:51:6.</ref> Even the stringent opinion makes allowances for health reasons (see below).<ref>Tashbatz 1:89, Maharsham 5:36:page 35. </ref>

#There is a discussion in the poskim if food cooked by a non-Jew<ref>The Shach 113:20 says [[cooking]] for herself is more stringent because it is unlikely that a Jew will intervene. Refer to Prisha 113:17, Chochmas Adom 66:11. See Shulchan Melachim 2:pages 959-957.</ref> renders the pot treif.<ref>Some say if the [[cooking]] was not done in front of us then there is a concern of non-kosher being cooked and all would agree that hagalah is required (Chelkes Binyomin 113:134). </ref> Some poskim say that no hagalah (kashering) is required.<ref>Tosfot Harosh Avoda Zara 40a s.v. vani, Ritvah Meseches Avodah Zarah 38a, Issur V’heter 43:8, Shulchan Aruch 113:16, Levush 16, Shiurei Beracha 18. Refer to Hamesivta 5754:pages 123-125 who says most poskim hold no hagalah is required. </ref> Some explain that the main reason for the issur of [[bishul]] akum is because of intermarriage, and there is no socializing with flavor absorbed in the pot.<ref>Bedek Habayis 3:7:page 209 (new), G’ra 40, 42, See Aruch Hashulchan 113:50. </ref> However, many poskim maintain that hagalah is in fact required,<ref>Rashba in Toras Habayis 3:7 (end), Rashba Meseches Avodah Zarah 38a, Ran (teshuvos) 5:11, Toras Chatos 75:14, Tur, Bais Yosef, Shulchan Aruch 113:16, Levush 16, Shiurei Beracha 18-19, Chochmas Adom 66:11, Mishna Brurah O.C. 328:63,  Aruch Hashulchan 113:50, Kaf Hachaim Y.D. 113:89, Igros Moshe Y.D. 2:41, Kitzur Hilchos [[Bishul]] Akum (Berger) page 45:67. Refer to Matei Yehonosson 113:16, Pri [[Chadash]] 25, Kashrus 2:pages 13-20 in depth.  See Shulchan Melachim 2:pages 943-951.</ref> and this is the overwhelming custom.<ref>Shulchan Aruch 113:16, Aruch Hashulchan 113:50, Chai Ha’Levi 5:54:1. Some say if the [[cooking]] was done in a Jewish home or Jewish establishment no hagalah is required since there are two sefikos. One doubt is if such utensils require hagalah and the other doubt is if there is [[bishul]] akum in a Jew’s home (Halichos Olom 7:page 104:footnote). </ref> The reason is that the food itself becomes forbidden, and the blios (absorption) from the food are considered as "machalas asuros."<ref>Toras Habayis 3:7:page 214 (new), Aruch Hashulchan 113:50. See Gr’a 113:40, 42. Refer to Tzitz Eliezer 22:44 in depth on this dispute. </ref> This applies even if the utensils were not used within twenty-four hours (eino ben-yomo) in which case the taste of the food is pogem (ill tasting).<ref>Ben Ish Chai Chukas 2:24, Kaf Hachaim 113:89-90, Chelkes Binyomin 113:138, [[Bishul]] Yisroel pages 373-374, opinion of Harav Falk Shlita stated in [[Bishul]] Yisroel (teshuvos) page 67. Refer to Chochmas Adom 66:12. See Darchei Teshuva 113:92 who brings a lenient opinion. See Rama O.C. 452:2, Mishna Brurah 20. The opinion of Harav Falk Shlita stated in [[Bishul]] Yisroel (teshuvos) pages 78-79 is that in time of need one can be lenient and do hagalah even within twenty-four hours.  Refer to Chochmas Adom 66:12. </ref> Nonetheless, one can do hagalah (after waiting twenty-four hours)<ref>Kaf Hachaim 113:90, Chelkes Binyomin 113:142. </ref> for an earthenware utensil (which we normally do not kasher)<ref>Shulchan Aruch O.C. 451:22. </ref> three times and use it for kosher food.<ref>Bais Yosef 113, Shulchan Aruch 113:16, Toras Chatos 75:14, Levush 16, Chochmas Adom 66:11, Mishna Brurah O.C. 328:63, Aruch Hashulchan 113:50, Kaf Hachaim 95, see Gilyon Maharsha 113, Mishna Brurah 328:63, Shevet Ha’Levi 9:162:16. Refer to Shevet Ha’Levi 6:108:8, Kashrus 2:pages 237-238. </ref> This is common if a non-Jew used a crock-pot to cook food.<ref>Kitzur Hilchos [[Bishul]] Akum (Berger) page 46:70. </ref>

#Most poskim are of the opinion that [[bishul]] akum is botel b'rov (majority)<ref>Toras Chatos 75:9, Shach 112:23, 113:21, Be’er Heitiv 18, Shiurei Beracha 113:10, Chochmas Adom 66:11, Aruch Hashulchan 53, Darchei Teshuva 90, Kaf Hachaim 91, see Mishna Brurah 328:63. Refer to Darchei Teshuva 113:91 if one is permitted to be mevatel [[bishul]] akum with his hands. Refer to Yeshoshua Yaakov Y.D. 113:3 in depth why one is permitted to mix a [[bishul]] akum food with a non-[[bishul]] akum food.</ref> while some maintain you need shishim (60 times).<ref>Refer to Hagalas Keilim 10:footnote 11, Chelkes Binyomin 113:136. </ref> Sephardim hold you need 60 times but if you have majority and not sixty you can add more permitted ingredients in order to nullify it.<ref>Divrei Dovid 2:20 proves the Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 113:3 holds that bishul akum isn't nullified by a majority. He cites this approach from the Bear Sheva 19, Minchat Cohen 1:1, Pri Chadash 99:17, Maharashdam 41, Kahal Yehuda 113:2, Misgeret Hashulchan 113:2, Ayin Hamayim 112:11, Kiseh Eliyahu 113:2, Maharam Shik 134, and Yeshuot Yakov 113:3. [http://www.toratemetfreeware.com/online/f_01598.html#HtmpReportNum0002_L3 Patbag Hamelch 2:23] agrees.</ref>