Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Halacha Yomis - Cooked Rice, Bishul Akum OU Kosher Halacha Yomis This column is dedicated in memory of: Rav Chaim Yisroel ben Reb Dov HaLevi Belsky, zt'l Senior OU Kosher Halachic Consultant from 1987-2016


Q. Is cooked rice subject to the prohibition of bishul akum? A. Foods that can be eaten raw (without cooking) or would not be served at a banquet are not subject to the prohibition of bishul akum. These leniencies do not apply to cooked rice: Rice is not edible raw, and can certainly be served at a fancy banquet. Therefore, unless there was some Jewish involvement in the cooking, cooked rice is subject to the prohibition of bishul akum. Ashkenazic custom, in accordance with the ruling of Rama (Yoreh De’ah 113:7), allows for a non-Jew to cook rice, provided that the fire was lit or adjusted by a Yisroel. Because instant rice is fully cooked at the factory, the Mashgiach must light the fires as part of the requirements of kosher supervision.

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