Pesachim Archives | Rosh Yeshiva Responds

6 04, 2026

Donating Chametz to a Food Pantry Before Pesach With Pickup on Chol HaMoed

April 6th, 2026|Moadim, Orach Chayim, Pesach|

QUESTION

A member of my shul wants to donate food to a food pantry that will be picking up during Chol HaMoed. Can they be mafkir (declare ownerless) the food and leave it on their porch for pick up before Pesach? My concern is that no one will know about the hefker (ownerless) status of the food—so does that really count as hefker?

ANSWER

I think that’s fine.

It is true that hefker cannot be done ba’lev (without any outward expression) (see Ran, Pesachim 1a, ד״ה ומהו), since devarim she’ba’lev einam devarim (unexpressed intentions are not legally significant). Nevertheless, taking

15 03, 2026

Induction Stove Tops for Milk and Meat, and Pesach

March 15th, 2026|Kashrut, Pesach, Yoreh De'ah|

QUESTION

Can the Rosh Yeshivah’s clarify his position regarding induction stovetops? Having read/watched his views on cooking with it on Yom tov and regarding its status vis a vis bishul akum, would it be correct that the same burner could be used for both meat and dairy?

If so:

A. Would this be permitted even on the same day?
B. If there are spills, would one be required to wipe the surface between uses, or would that simply be recommended as a best practice?

As well, regarding Pesach, would the induction surface not require kashering, but

9 07, 2024

Displaying Art Made from Parchment Paper with Hametz Residue During Pesach

July 9th, 2024|Moadim, Orach Chayim, Pesach|

QUESTION

Toronto, ON

A new exhibition is planned for installation soon in the art gallery hosted in our shul’s storefront

20 12, 2023

At What Time Can One End Their Fast When the 10th of Tevet Falls on a Friday?

December 20th, 2023|Kiddush, Seudah, Havdalah, Orach Chayim, Shabbat, Ta'anit/Fast Days|

QUESTION

Washington, DC

Do you have any specific guidelines for Asarah b’Tevet when it is observed on a Friday? How long after Shekiah should we wait to break the fast? If some members of a household remain home, can they break their fast before the whole family sits down for kiddush and Shabbat dinner?

21 03, 2023

Pesticides, Health, and Kashrut – May We Eat Foods with Pesticides?

March 21st, 2023|Kashrut, Yoreh De'ah|

QUESTION

Rochester, NY

Are there kashrut implications to pesticides in fruits and vegetables and their impact on human health?

ANSWER

No, not form a kashrut perspective. I do understand that people would like to bring certain Torah-value concerns into the kashrut conversation, such as tzaar baalei chayim (cruelty to animals), treatment of workers, additives and pesticides, etc., but

13 02, 2023

Induction Stove Tops and Bishul Akum

February 13th, 2023|Bishul Akum, Technology, Yoreh De'ah|

QUESTION

Oregon

Question re: induction stove tops and bishul akum—what is the minimum a mashgiach in a commercial-scale kitchen would need to do? Turning on the

27 02, 2021

Mourner’s Kaddish Connecting to a Minyan over Zoom

February 27th, 2021|Aveilut, Kaddish, Orach Chayim|

QUESTION

Canada

What is the Rosh Yeshiva’s position on saying Kaddish Yatom over Zoom where there is a minyan on the other end?

ANSWER

The short answer is that it is fine if there are ten men gathered in one place. If there are ten men Zooming in from different places, it is more questionable, but there is a reasonable argument to say that this works as well. Let us consider the various issues:

For a minyan, Gemara (Pesachim 85b) requires both a core ten, plus the shaliach tzibbur to be in the same physical room. This is ruled in Shulchan

29 01, 2021

Meat and Milk Mix-Ups

January 29th, 2021|Kashrut|

Sally added tomato sauce to a milkhig soup, and then discovered that the tomato sauce did not have a hekhsher and contained meat! She called the company and found out that the meat content was approximately 5%. She knows that she has to kasher her pot, but she wants to know if she has to throw out the soup or can she give it to her doorman?

In two places the Torah addresses how we should dispose of meat that is not kosher. In our parashah, the Torah states:

And you shall be a holy people unto Me. You

29 12, 2020

Use of Wine-grown Yeast in Green Coffee Bean Fermentation

December 29th, 2020|Kashrut, Non-Jews and Other Religions, Yoreh De'ah|

QUESTION

Chicago, IL

Green coffee beans are often fermented before being rinsed, dried, and roasted. Fermentation allows naturally occurring bacteria and yeast to break down some of the sugars on the outside layer of the coffee bean, enhancing the flavor of the bean. Sometimes a foreign yeast is added to help the process along or bring out specific flavor profiles. A certain locally produced roast uses red wine yeast (fed on non-kosher red wine) to assist fermentation. Does this constitute a kashrut issue?

ANSWER

This is a great

28 12, 2020

Kiddush Levanah 15 Minutes After Sunset

December 28th, 2020|Berakhot, Orach Chayim|

QUESTION

Any reason not to do Kiddush Levanah before night falls? Shekiah was 15 minutes ago, but the moon is pretty bright (see photo). I see the Shulchan Arukh and Rema are against.

ANSWER

In this situation, you may do so.

You are correct that Beit Yosef OC 426, quoting Agur (no. 591) states that one should not make this berakhah until it is nightfall, because “what good

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Washington, DC

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