restaurant dining

Asked by Sonia Levitin · September 23, 2003 · Kashrut

Question

About eating fish in a non kosher restaurant--please clarify. If the fish is baked in wrapped foil, or in an aluminum pan, must I turn on the flame if the cook is not Jewish? Must the fish be baked in foil? Or can it be done on a grill? If I eat a cold salad on a cold plate, what about the utensils? Are they o.k? What about eating at the home of a gentile friend; if they grill salmon or other fish on the barbeque, or kosher chicken, can I use their plates and utensils? Thanks so much--these questions are trouble to me, as we are fairly new "on the path."

Answer

Answered by Aaron Abadi

1) Yes, or you can turn it over, or similarly assist in the cooking, or put the pan on the fire. Just turning the flame on prior to any food on the fire is not enough for Sephardim. They must do one of the other options. 2) on a clean grill is fine. 3) Yes. 4) Yes, but as in #1 above, assist with the cooking. They did not make a law that says we cannot eat at all from a non-Jew, because we wouldn't be able to keep that law. They restricted what & how we can eat, to be a constant reminder to us, and thus help us avoid intermarriage. Welcome to the "path!" It's like an obstacle course, and everything tries to pull you away. Keep your head on straight, and tread cautiously. The Devil, or whatever you'll call the forces of that side, are not happy about losing you. Your goal is to elevate youselves over time to 100% observance. It's a long road, but if done methodically, and in stages, and with your eye on that goal, it can be attained properly. You must also ignore that "right wing" fad, and be very careful not to add to the rules or do any extra things, not required by Jewish Law. We are required to follow the rules exactly, no more & no less. Doing more always justifies doing less elsewhere, and also has other negative effects. Rosh Hashana & Yom Kippur are here. Don't go crazy repenting and feeling guilty. All God wants to hear is an honest commitment to turn around, which seems like it was made already, and that you regret the past. Then spend your time doing your thing & getting closer to God. Good Luck! AA