Bishul Akum

Asked by Chaim Leib · August 21, 2003 · Kashrut

Question

Dear Rabbi Abadi, Thank you for your clear, direct and thoughtful answers. I'm glad you point out the issues of kashrut are related to milk and meat, and we don't have to worry about such things as popsicles, fruit smoothies, etc. While some say everything must have a haskacha, even water, you take a more practical approach, looking at the ingredients, the way our grandparents did. Now my question: I believe I understand the concept of Bishul Akum, food cooked by a non-Jew is not kosher, and an Egg Mcmuffin may not be kosher, if cooked by a non Jew; but how then is a vegan Gardenburger or Boca Burger kosher/pareve since they are precooked by the manufacturer? Is it because we don't have any contact with the people who cook the food?

Answer

Answered by Aaron Abadi

Yes & no. Let me explain. If we say that no contact with the cook is OK, what if I don't look at him or I run out real quick? The rule can't be so iffy. On the other hand, manufactured products sold on grocery and supermarket shelves don't fit into the Gezera (Rabbinical restriction). So it boils down to this: Packaged store products are fine. You can never meet the cook, it just doesn't exist. Neighbors, restaurants, and any place where you would go and the cook is around at times, it is not allowed. The concept is to avoid intermarriage. Serving a home-cooked or even a restaurant chef's cooking creates a social connection that we want people to avoid, so that in years to come we don't end up marrying into each other's families. AA