REST clarification

Asked by david leiberstein · December 21, 2003 · Kashrut

Question

AA: You can order bread DAVID: Is all bread all the time in any restearunt and any place kosher?? If any posek disagrees, what is there reasoning?

Answer

Answered by Aaron Abadi

The normal breads that we are familiar with here in the U.S., Canada, etc... are all fine. Bagels the same. If you are not sure, ask. The Rav that disagrees, is arguing on a Gemara. The whole concept of Pat Akum, & Pat Palter (bread of a non-Jew), would not be an issue, since there is no Hechsher, especially since the whole concept is from the twentieth century. The fact that bread of a non-Jew is not permitted, but that of a baker is permitted shows that there is no problem eating the bread as far as kosher is concerned, as long as you're familiar with the normal recipe for that bread and lard, cheese, or animal fat are not in the ingredients. Think about it a little. Try to recreate the timeframe and environment surrounding the Rabbi's decrees against foods of a non-Jew to avoid intermarriage and other reasons. Clearly prior to the decree it was OK. AA