Let’s Talk Kashrus

Many questions are sent in to us on various kashrus issues. This week we sit down with Rav Shmuel Fuerst Dayan of Agudas Yisroel of Illinois so he can answer some of the questions. This week's Q&A focuses on common kitchen mishaps and other kashrus in the kitchen questionsView it in its entirety at: https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/l-t-k-q-a-kitchen-mishapsJoin the Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Community for educational content and kashrus updates https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hk3SHVsBfELEgJet4ZNYDR

Supply Chain RiftsWhat happens when supply chains get disrupted? How about when ingredients need to be replaced due to skyrocketing costs? What about when certain items are banned by the government? These and other questions addressed by Rabbi Moshe Machuca - Rabbinic Field Representative for the OU, in this weeks episode.View it in its entirety at: https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/kosher-shiftsJoin the Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Community for educational content and kashrus updates https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hk3SHVsBfELEgJet4ZNYDR

Do you know what goes on behind the scenes for mashgichim that need to travel to every corner of the earth to ensure your products are kosher? Let's listen in to Rabbi Moshe Machuca - Rabbinic Field Representative for the OU, as he explains the hardships of traveling to places that aren't exactly accommodating to members of the faith. View it in its entirety at: https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/tales-of-a-traveling-mashgiachTo Sponsor An Episode: https://pay.banquest.com/kashrusawarenessJoin the Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Community for educational content and kashrus updates https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hk3SHVsBfELEgJet4ZNYDR

Kashrus FablesA behind the scenes look into the massive industry of private labels and how it affects the kosher consumer. Also, highlighting the power of the consumer in regard to online buying, Rabbi Dov Chastain - Kashrus Administrator at the KOF-K, has some tips what you should do if something you bought online doesn't have the symbol that was advertised in the online pictures.View it in its entirety at: https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/private-labelsTo Sponsor An Episode: https://pay.banquest.com/kashrusawarenessJoin the Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Community for educational content and kashrus updates https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hk3SHVsBfELEgJet4ZNYDR

Being a good mashgiach, sometimes involves a bit more than just knowing Yoreh Deah. This week when many minds are on the churban already, Rabbi Sholem Fishbane - Kashrus Administrator at the Chicago Rabbinical Council, and Executive Director of AKO, gives us an example involving not having wine and live music at the same meal.View it in its entirety at: https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/the-mashgiach-who-didn-t-miss-a-beatTo Sponsor An Episode: https://pay.banquest.com/kashrusawarenessJoin the Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Community for educational content and kashrus updates https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hk3SHVsBfELEgJet4ZNYDR

After last week's introduction to the mesorah of birds, let's dive right in to some practical halachik applications. R' Chaim Loike - Rabbinic Coordinator at OU Kosher, brought in some live birds to demonstrate for us these applications.View it in its entirety at: https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/quail-tales-and-egg-failsTo Sponsor An Episode: https://pay.banquest.com/kashrusawarenessJoin the Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Community for educational content and kashrus updates https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hk3SHVsBfELEgJet4ZNYDR

Let's take a trip back in time exploring the mesorah of birds. R' Chaim Loike - Rabbinic Coordinator at OU Kosher, made it his life's mission to ensure that certain birds don't lose their mesorah. Let's take a look at the various birds he's brought in today to share with us.View it in its entirety at: https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/live-birds-ancient-traditionsTo Sponsor An Episode: https://pay.banquest.com/kashrusawarenessJoin the Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Community for educational content and kashrus updates https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hk3SHVsBfELEgJet4ZNYDR

Not Anymore!Introducing a revolutionary new app! A game changer for the industry of kashrus. Have you ever seen an unfamiliar kashrus symbol and werent sure if you can rely on it? With over 1500 kashrus agencies worldwide, it can be quite the task of finding out their reliability. Rabbi Sholem Fishbane - Kashrus Administrator at the Chicago Rabbinical Council, and Executive Director of AKO, introduces to us the all-new logo scanner feature in the new cRc Kosher app, available on the app store.https://apps.apple.com/us/app/crc-kosher/id397991421?platform=iphonehttps://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.rocketouch.CRCKosher2013&hl=en_US&gl=US&pli=1View it in its entirety at: https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/hechsher-in-a-haystackTo Sponsor An Episode: https://pay.banquest.com/kashrusawarenessJoin the Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Community for educational content and kashrus updates https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hk3SHVsBfELEgJet4ZNYDR

Look At the LeibelCan you rely on a kosher symbol you see online? Sometimes you buy something online, but the product has a different packaging when it arrives at your door. Rabbi Binyamin Berkowitz - Kashrus Administrator at the KOF-K gives us the rundown on what to look out for.View it in its entirety at: https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/be-like-leibelTo Sponsor An Episode: https://pay.banquest.com/kashrusawarenessJoin the Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Community for educational content and kashrus updates https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hk3SHVsBfELEgJet4ZNYDR

Is It Fowl Play?Have you been noticing more blood spots lately? Let’s get the real scoop what’s going on lately with the eggs together with Rabbi Sholem Fishbane - Kashrus Administrator at the Chicago Rabbinical Council, and Executive Director of AKO.View it in its entirety at: https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/shell-shocked-by-egg-flationTo Sponsor An Episode: https://pay.banquest.com/kashrusawarenessJoin the Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Community for educational content and kashrus updates https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hk3SHVsBfELEgJet4ZNYDR

Post-Pesach Shopping SecretsWhere can I buy chometz? Where is it problematic? Rabbi Yakov Teichman - Rabbinic Coordinator at the OK, gives us the full scoop.View it in its entirety at: https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/shelf-awarenessDownload the AKO post-pesach list below, or at https://www.akokosher.org/pesachTo Sponsor An Episode: https://pay.banquest.com/kashrusawarenessJoin the Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Community for educational content and kashrus updates https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hk3SHVsBfELEgJet4ZNYDR

Just Yet…Many people won't sell chometz gamur. Does that mean i need to throw out a closed bottle of ketchup? Rabbi Yakov Teichman - Rabbinic Coordinator at the OK, helps us decipher those hard to read ingredient panels.View it in its entirety at: https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/don-t-toss-that-sauceTo Sponsor An Episode: https://pay.banquest.com/kashrusawarenessJoin the Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Community for educational content and kashrus updates https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hk3SHVsBfELEgJet4ZNYDR

Labeled In ChinaPart 2 of our travels to China with Rabbi Binyamin Berkowitz - Kashrus Administrator at the KOF-K, focuses on the labeling aspect of Chinese products.View it in its entirety at: https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/wok-smarter-not-harder To Sponsor An Episode: https://pay.banquest.com/kashrusawarenessJoin the Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Community for educational content and kashrus updates https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hk3SHVsBfELEgJet4ZNYDR

Soy Many QuestionsToday we travel to China with Rabbi Binyamin Berkowitz - Kashrus Administrator at the KOF-K. Come along as we explore the process of certifying factories in China.View it in its entirety at: https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/made-in-chinaTo Sponsor An Episode: https://pay.banquest.com/kashrusawarenessJoin the Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Community for educational content and kashrus updates https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hk3SHVsBfELEgJet4ZNYDR

R’ Moshe Feinstein’s teshuva on Cholov Stam in America is by far one of the more famous of his. Yet, Rabbi Sholem Fishbane - Kashrus Administrator at the Chicago Rabbinical Council, and Executive Director of AKO, points out that there are many side benefits of being makpid on cholov yisroel besides for the actual Halacha shaila.View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/don-t-cry-over-cholov-stam-milkTo Sponsor An Episode: https://pay.banquest.com/kashrusawarenessJoin the Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Community for educational content and kashrus updates https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hk3SHVsBfELEgJet4ZNYDR

What can be wrong with canned corn? All the ingredients are kosher. Let's listen to Rabbi Mordechai Stareshefsky a Rabbinic Coordinator at the OU as he explains some potential issues with the most basic food items. This serves as a reminder why one should always ensure that there is a good hechsher on everything they buy.View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/kosher-can-treife-planTo Sponsor An Episode: https://pay.banquest.com/kashrusawarenessJoin the Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Community for educational content and kashrus updates https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hk3SHVsBfELEgJet4ZNYDR

What Are The Facts?That shiny coating that can be found on anything from jellybeans to fruit to hard-wood flooring. What is it made of? Is it Kosher? Let's listen in to a fascinating (and slightly discomforting) discussion about Shellac otherwise known as confectioners glaze, with Rabbi Sholem Fishbane - Kashrus Administrator at the Chicago Rabbinical Council, and Executive Director of AKO. View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/shellac-on-snacksTo Sponsor An Episode: https://pay.banquest.com/kashrusawarenessJoin the Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Community for educational content and kashrus updates https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hk3SHVsBfELEgJet4ZNYDR

Lab-Grown vs. Nature Today's topic is very futuristic. Cultured meat, clean meat, lab-grown meat... Let's get a behind-the-scenes peek at this topic which is still in the theoretical stages. Rabbi Mordechai Stareshefsky is a Rabbinic Coordinator at the OU.  View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/meat-the-future To Sponsor An Episode: https://pay.banquest.com/kashrusawareness Join the Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Community for educational content and kashrus updates https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hk3SHVsBfELEgJet4ZNYDR

Ensuring a kosher kitchen. Let’s listen to Rav Shmuel Fuerst - Dayan of Agudas Yisroel of Illinois on the topic of keeping a kosher kitchen with 1 sink vs. 2 sinks. View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/everything-but-the-kitchen-sinkTo Sponsor An Episode: https://pay.banquest.com/kashrusawarenessJoin the Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Community for educational content and kashrus updates https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hk3SHVsBfELEgJet4ZNYDR

Industrial Kashrus Systems Everyone loves to know what goes on behind the scenes. Today we take a tour of a typical factory with Rabbi Yitzchak Hanoka, Senior Rabbinate Coordinator with the OK. We’ll find out all the systems in place to ensure kashrus at the highest level.  View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/the-kashrus-control-room To Sponsor An Episode: https://pay.banquest.com/kashrusawareness Join the Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Community for educational content and kashrus updates https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hk3SHVsBfELEgJet4ZNYDR