Smash Course

What exactly is the responsibility of a kashrus agency? Is its role limited to ensuring that the food is kosher, or does it extend to the broader hashkafa, ethics, and conduct of the establishments it certifies? In this first part of a fascinating two-part discussion, Rabbi Sholem Fishbane, executive director of the cRc and AKO, joins R' Yitzchok Hisiger to explore the many considerations that go into this question, from lifnei iver and tznius to geneivas daas and dina d'malchusa dina. Through real-life examples and fascinating halachic perspectives, Rabbi Fishbane sheds light on the broader responsibilities that come with overseeing kashrus.View it in its entirety at: https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/hashkafically-speakingJoin the Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Community for educational content and kashrus updates https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hk3SHVsBfELEgJet4ZNYDR

Kashrus In The Yeshiva KitchenIn this episode of Let’s Talk Kashrus, Rabbi Meilech Friedman, Rosh HaMashgichim at Tartikov, discusses a critical but often overlooked issue: kashrus in yeshiva and school kitchens. From bishul Yisroel and the separation of milchigs and fleishigs to ingredient verification and proper supervision, he shares firsthand examples of the challenges that can arise when no one is taking responsibility. He also offers a practical suggestion for how parents can help bring about change by simply asking one important question: Does the mosad have hashgachah in its kitchen?View it in its entirety at: https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/nisht-besederJoin the Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Community for educational content and kashrus updates https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hk3SHVsBfELEgJet4ZNYDR

Buying Jewish & Pas PalterIn the fourth installment of the Let’s Talk Kashrus Q&A series featuring Rav Shmuel Fuerst, Dayan of Agudas Yisroel of Illinois, R' Yitzchok Hisiger presents a new set of practical shailos about supporting Jewish-owned businesses. How far should a person go to patronize a Yid when a non-Jewish store offers lower prices or greater convenience? Rav Fuerst discusses the balance between supporting fellow Yidden and the realities of price, convenience, and pas palter, including when it is permissible to purchase non-Jewish baked goods. The discussion concludes with a fascinating shailah about working as a salesman for a company that sells non-kosher products.View it in its entirety at: https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/l-t-k-q-a-mind-your-own-businessJoin the Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Community for educational content and kashrus updates https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hk3SHVsBfELEgJet4ZNYDR

Is Your Sukkah Up To Code?You may be comfortable eating at a restaurant under a reliable hashgachah, but what about eating in its sukkah? In this special Sukkos episode, Rabbi Yosef Fund of the KCL in Lakewood joins R' Yitzchok Hisiger to explore the kashrus of public sukkos. From s’chach and sukkah walls to lavud straps, sukkah construction, and the effects of wind and weather, Rabbi Fund walks us through the practical shailos that can arise in the sukkos we encounter throughout Yom Tov.View it in its entirety at: https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/mind-the-gap-pleaseJoin the Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Community for educational content and kashrus updates https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hk3SHVsBfELEgJet4ZNYDR

How did Shabbos mode come to be - and what problems was it actually designed to solve? Rabbi Shmuel Katz, Rabbinic Coordinator at the cRc, joins R’ Yitzy Hisiger for a fascinating look at the history, halachic challenges, and ingenious solutions behind the Shabbos modes in today’s appliances.View it in its entirety at: https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/a-mode-of-its-ownJoin the Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Community for educational content and kashrus updates https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hk3SHVsBfELEgJet4ZNYDR

What does “Shabbos Mode” actually do—and what doesn’t it do? Rabbi Shmuel Katz, Rabbinic Coordinator at the cRC, joins R’ Yitzy Hisiger for an important discussion about the halachic realities, potential pitfalls, and different types of Shabbos modes found in today’s ovens.View it in its entirety at: https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/shabbos-mode-are-you-sureJoin the Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Community for educational content and kashrus updates https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hk3SHVsBfELEgJet4ZNYDR

Why do some Pepsi products have a K, some a Kof-K, and some no hechsher at all? Can you drink them?Rabbi Alexander Charlop, Rav Hamachshir for Pepsi, takes us behind the scenes to explain the surprising answers—including how Pepsi's secret formula stays secret while remaining kosher.View it in its entirety at: https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/can-you-rely-on-a-kJoin the Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Community for educational content and kashrus updates https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hk3SHVsBfELEgJet4ZNYDR

Why is there so much more Beis Yosef meat available today? What does "glatt" really mean? And are all glatt and Beis Yosef standards the same? Rabbi Zvi Fishbane - Rosh HaShochtim of the cRc - takes us inside the world of shechita, tracing the evolution of kosher meat standards and explaining what consumers should know.View it in its entirety at: https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/how-glatt-is-glattJoin the Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Community for educational content and kashrus updates https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hk3SHVsBfELEgJet4ZNYDR

The ABC's of Food DeliveryWith recent reports of kosher consumers accidentally receiving food from non-kosher establishments, awareness of proper food-delivery procedures has never been more important. Rabbi Yitzchok Hisiger speaks with Rabbi Sholem Fishbane, Kashrus Administrator at the cRc and Executive Director of AKO, about the halachos of chasimos, delivery services, and protecting the integrity of kosher food from restaurant to doorstep. Whether you order through an app or pick up takeout yourself, this episode contains practical guidance every consumer should know.View it in its entirety at: https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/smash-courseJoin the Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Community for educational content and kashrus updates https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hk3SHVsBfELEgJet4ZNYDR

On this episode of Let’s Talk Kashrus, Rabbi Yitzchok Hisiger is joined by Rabbi Dovi Goldstein, Managing Director of Kosher SA, for a fascinating look into the world of kosher safaris in South Africa. From luxury five-star lodges with sealed kosher kitchens and mashgichim flown in on demand, to self-drive family safari adventures with coolers and portable braais, Rabbi Goldstein explains how travelers can experience the African wilderness without compromising on kashrus. The conversation explores the unique challenges and opportunities involved in certifying safari environments deep in the jungle, far from civilization. Along the way, listeners get an inside look at one of South Africa’s most remarkable and unexpected kosher industries.View it in its entirety at: https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/welcome-to-the-jungleJoin the Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Community for educational content and kashrus updates https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hk3SHVsBfELEgJet4ZNYDR