PDF - Kosher Certification

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Kosher Spirit - Chanukah 5772 12/5/2011 4:51 PM Page 1
‫ב"ה‬
‫חנוכה תשע"ב‬
CHANUKAH 5772
CERTIFIED SOUL NUTRITION
‫א פריילעכן‬
!‫חנוכה‬
Wishing You a
Happy Chanukah!
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4
5
6
SHARE YOUR SPIRIT
QUESTIONS FOR THE ~
HEALTHY SPIRIT
8 Dairy Fun Facts
KEEPING KOSHER IN...
TRYING MEDICAL
CIRCUMSTANCES
By Nechama Samuels
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10
12
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CHINA REVISITED PART 2
By Rabbi Don Yoel Levy
SPORTS STRINGS TZITZIS
By Tamir Goodman
CHANUKAH RECIPE
Red Onion & Russet Potato Latkes
KOSHERFEST 2011
POST® CEREALS
& THE ~
~ IN ACTION
Mashgiach Conference 2011
WHO’S BEHIND THE ~
Interview with Rabbi Aaron Weiss
169 WAYS ~ KOSHERED
YOUR WORLD IN 2011
CHASSIDIC INSIGHTS
Compiled by Dina Fraenkel
SOUL NUTRITION
KOSHER SPIRIT Chanukah 5772
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF:
Rabbi Chaim Fogelman
EDITOR:
Dovi Scheiner
Dear Reader,
he last issue of Kosher
Spirit showcased some of
the new, modern technologies used constantly by many in the
Orthodox Jewish world and the
way the ~ utilizes the latest technologies, from Smartphone apps
to the latest computer programs,
to help monitor the kosher food
industry and to serve the kosher
consumer.
While technology provides us with more comfortable ways
to live, quick access to an enormous volume of information,
and ways to organize and keep track of our lives (and yes today
we have a new kind of tablets), it offers no insight and no meaning to the ultimate purpose of life itself. For that we must look
to the original two tablets — our holy Torah.
As Chanukah teaches us, the Greeks wanted to disconnect
G-dliness and holiness from the world. “Learn the Torah,” they
said, “but declare that it’s not G-d’s Torah.” The Torah offers us
the secrets of a meaningful and fulfilled life because it is G-d’s
Torah. We cannot let ourselves get carried away with the latest
gadgets and technology and, G-d forbid, forgo the basics.
Although we embrace the latest technology, the ~ is still
grounded in old fashioned protocol. See pictures from our latest International Mashgiach Conference where mashgichim
and rabbonim from around the world meet face to face in New
York to discuss the latest kosher developments and halachic
ramifications. Read about the ~’s involvement in Sport Strings,
a company that will get thousands of kids and adults to wear
tzitzis while exercising, playing sports and more. Travel with
Rabbi Levy to China as he physically inspects companies under
~ supervision.
It is interesting to note that with all of the modern conveniences available today, which supposedly allow us to do more
things better and faster, I have read that the previous generation
had 20 percent more free time than we do today. So as we are
being told to go green and clean up the environment and the
air, we must not pollute our souls and we must stay focused on
the true meaning of life, the life we are entrusted to use for
Torah and mitzvos and bringing G-dliness down to earth.
T
ASSOCIATE EDITOR:
Dina Fraenkel
Best wishes for a Freilichen Chanukah,
DESIGN & PHOTOGRAPHY:
Rabbi Chaim Fogelman
Editor-in-Chief
Spotlight Design
We welcome your comments,
submissions and letters to the editor.
Mail: 391 Troy Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11213
Email: [email protected]
© 2011. No portion of this publication may
be reprinted without written consent from
the publisher.
FEEDBACK
Share Your Spirit
Readers share their thoughts...
Dear Kosher Spirit,
The Chassidus article about the birthday of the world
is a really beautiful piece and well put together. I was
happy to receive it before Rosh Hashanah and after reading it, I had a great D’var Torah for the Yom Tov table. The
magazine as a whole is really beautiful as well! Well designed, not cluttered, great graphics, good font choice and
good printing job, and the style consistency makes it really
easy and a pleasure to read.
Brocha
Dear Kosher Spirit,
In your otherwise fine publication, I was alarmed to
read the article “Mashgiach Stays on Post Despite Medical
Emergency.” The article describes a mashgiach who lost
consciousness, was breathing heavily, and whom
Hatzalah wanted to take to the hospital.
Despite the potential seriousness of the situation —his
symptoms clearly could have been due to a lifethreatening medical condition — the mashgiach
apparently opted to wait 45 minutes until another
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mashgiach came to replace him, before consenting to
go to the hospital.
Since 1997, when I attended a medical halacha
conference sponsored by a Lubavitch-affiliated
medical society, I have been privileged to study and
learn medical halacha under the tutelage of many of
the foremost rabbinic authorities.
I am not aware of a single Orthodox rabbi, let alone
a halachic authority, who would condone such a reckless decision, one that characterizes this person as a
chasid shoteh (a pious fool).
Furthermore, the article quotes a customer at the
restaurant who witnessed the event as viewing favorably the mashgiach’s choice.
I would respectfully suggest that your magazine
publish a retraction or clarification so that readers are
not misled as to the danger of delaying urgent medical
care, during a medical emergency, even for what appears to the person to be the most noble of causes.
Respectfully
L.Z., MD, MA
Editor’s Note: We received many letters about this
feature in the Tishrei 5772 issue. We apologize for
causing anyone to think that the mashgiach’s life was
in danger in order to adhere to ~ policies. Surely life
and health come first in any life-threatening situation.
The mashgiach’s situation was obviously not life
threatening and Hatzolah would not allow a patient
in danger to stay and wait for a replacement mashgiach. The patient was stable and able to safely wait in
the restaurant before receiving follow-up care.
www.KosherSpirit.com • 3
The ~ receives many
letters/emails with kosher
questions...
Dear Kosher Spirit,
Does Grade AA butter in America need
Cholov Yisroel certification since it can
only be made from kosher (cow’s)
sweet cream?
Rabbi Krinsky responds:
ears ago, those who kept Cholov Yisroel could
eat Grade AA butter even without special Cholov
Yisroel certification based on the fact that butter
can only be made from (cow’s) sweet cream as brought
down in Shulchan Oruch. Therefore, Grade AA butter
could be eaten even if a Jew did not watch the milking
from which the sweet cream was taken.
Y
Today, the USDA allows companies to use up to 5%
whey cream in AA butter. As long as the butter passes
testing by a USDA grader (a taste test), it may be
labeled USDA AA Butter. This causes a kosher concern
because sweet cream (taken off fresh cow’s milk) is
considered kosher, but whey cream (a by-product of
cheese productions that could be non-kosher due to
the addition of some non-kosher ingredients in the
cheese making process) is not always kosher. Those
that only eat Cholov Yisroel dairy products may only
eat whey cream from a Cholov Yisroel cheese
production. Butter with a kosher certification is
guaranteed to contain only kosher whey cream, but
that whey cream may not be Cholov Yisroel. Therefore,
if one keeps Cholov Yisroel the butter requires Cholov
Yisroel certification to make sure that all ingredients
are only from Cholov Yisroel sources.
4 • www.OK.org
~
8
~
Dairy Fun Facts
Dairy products played a role in the miracle of Chanukah.
99% of all U.S.
households purchase
milk. The average
American
consumes
almost 25
gallons of milk
a year… that’s
400 glasses!
Cheddar cheese
is the most popular
cheese in the U.S.
The average
cow produces
about 55 pounds of
milk per day (about
six 1-gallon jugs).
The calcium in dairy
products can help
prevent osteoporosis (a
disease characterized by
bone loss).
It takes more than
21 pounds of whole
milk to make 1 pound
of butter.
Parmesan cheese
is the only kosher cheese
currently available that
requires a 6 hour wait
before eating meat
products.
Dairy products help
prevent tooth decay
by reducing oral
acidity.
There is no
scientific basis to the
claim that milk
causes more mucous
production.
Calcium,
magnesium and
potassium found in
dairy products can
help maintain healthy
blood pressure.
KEEPING KOSHER IN...
Trying
Medical
Circumstances
By Nechama Samuels
e arrived at 5pm on a hot Sunday afternoon after spending over four hours in
traffic. We were tired, hungry, stressed
and scared. The scheduled medical procedure
loomed in front of us, coming inexorably closer
with each passing moment.
W
We drove up to the address we had
been given – a stately Boston townhouse – and climbed the stairs to our
apartment. Beside the apartment
door was a brightly decorated and
personalized folder that contained
pertinent information and instructions. We opened the door to the
6 • www.OK.org
apartment and breathed an audible
sigh of relief. Clean, spacious, and relaxing. Dinner was waiting for us.
Fresh rolls. A bottle of Cholov Yisroel
milk was prepared in the fridge for a
coffee the next day.
Boston is a charming city that has
played a central role in American his-
tory. Home to the Boston Tea Party
and famous for its role in the American Revolution, a center of politics,
higher education and baseball, modern Boston is a city peppered with
world-famous, state-of-the-art medical institutions. Many of these consistently find their names at the top of
the “Best Hospitals” list year after
year. In search of the most cuttingedge medical treatments and care
available, people from all over the
world stream to these hospitals.
Often, procedures necessitate
lengthy medical stays that can extend
over a period of months, and involve
The crippling stress of illness, compounded
with financial pressures and the difficulties of
being in a foreign place combine to create an
overall experience that is extremely trying,
especially for frum, kosher observant Jews...
not only the patient, but a supporting
cast of family. The crippling stress of
illness, compounded with financial
pressures and the difficulties of being
in a foreign place combine to create an
overall experience that is extremely
trying, especially for frum, kosher observant Jews.
Unfortunately, our situation was
one that the Rofeh Bikur Cholim,
under the auspices of the Bostoner
Rebbe shlita, is all too familiar with.
This renowned chesed organization,
under the umbrella establishment
ROFEH International, is dedicated to
providing medical referral and social
support services to the sick and their
families. For someone who is undergoing a medical procedure in Boston,
Rofeh’s willing help is a G-dsend.
Rofeh owns several apartments that
are available to Jewish patients and
their families during the time of treatment and medical care. All apartments have clean accommodations
and are equipped with full kosher
kitchens. The ovens are even koshered
through self-cleaning after each guest
leaves. Based on needs and preferences, Rofeh sees to it that healthy and
tasty kosher meals are cooked and delivered to patients and their families.
Transportation and translation services are available as well.
In the words of one grateful recipient: “After placing several calls to key
hospital personnel, Rofeh finally managed to get permission to bring their
own fridge, food, and hotplate to the
hospital. With just a few short hours
remaining before the holiday, Rofeh
bought us a new mini-refrigerator and
put together complete meals for the
entire holiday! Rofeh brought everything from A to Z,” Mr. Rosenstein, a
native Israeli recalled. “They brought
meat, fish, challah, grape juice,
dessert, tablecloths, and candles.
Everything!”
A clean, comfortable place to stay?
Check.
Three nutritious, fresh, home
cooked meals a day? Check.
Need the food to be brought to the
hospital? Check.
Have special dietary needs? Check.
Yom Tov meals including refrigeration? Check.
Rofeh International prepares
dozens of fresh meals a day and delivers them to apartments, hotels, and
medical centers. They go out of their
way to make people feel comfortable.
Rofeh dosen’t only cater to the poor,
their services are available to everyone
and guests are treated in the most dignified manner. They visit, call to make
sure your needs are met, and have a
shul, mikvah and parking located right
near the apartments.
Throughout the long and difficult
process of being in a strange city
under the most trying of circumstances, Rofeh (to use an analogy of a
city where baseball is paramount)
steps up to bat and delivers.
Rofeh Bikur Cholim provides
apartments to Jewish patients and
their families during the time of
treatment and medical care.
PART 2
REVISITED
By Rabbi Don Yoel Levy
In the last issue of
Kosher Spirit, I
shared part of my
experiences from my
recent trip to China.
In this issue I will
continue expounding
on the trip and the
fascinating kashrus
insights.
In above photo: Rabbi Yitzchak Gornish, Rabbi Yeshaya
Prizant, Rabbi Don Yoel Levy, Mr. Ernest Thalmann
8 • www.OK.org
On our recent trip to China, we visited facilities
producing Acesulfame K and aspartame. Both of these are
artificial sweeteners that are 180 to 200 times sweeter that
sucrose (table sugar). Each sweetener has different
properties. While aspartame has a taste closer to sugar
and Acesulfame K has a slight bitter aftertaste, Acesulfame
K is more heat stable, can be used in baked products and
has a longer shelf life. They are often blended with other
sweeteners in order to utilize the traits of all sweeteners
used. The production processes for Acesulfame K and
aspartame are quite complicated and there have been
issues in the past with companies not giving us accurate
information regarding production specifications, so I
brought Rabbi Yitzchak Gornish, a Rabbinic Coordinator
at the ~, who is a lamdan and has a Master’s degree in
Food Science with a concentration in Chemistry. With our
combined knowledge and expertise we were able to verify
that the information supplied by the companies was 100%
accurate.
Unfortunately companies occasionally try to avoid disclosing complete information and one must have full
knowledge of food chemistry and production methods to
be sure that one is given all the information necessary.
Between the two of us, we were sure that we were given
accurate information. Even so, the
information given to us needed some
“tweaking” in order for us to get the
clear picture. It took hours to
carefully investigate each facility and
the formulas and production
methods used there,including an
actual visit through the facility to see
the ingredients used and watch an
actual production.
When one considers that the facility staff talking to us had little knowledge of English and all of our
conversations went through a translator, one can comprehend the
amount of effort put into collecting
the accurate information. From the
answers we received, we were able to
put together an accurate picture
thanks to the translator who had the
proper technical knowledge to properly assist us. Having the proper technical knowledge on our part was
crucial in ensuring that we received
an accurate picture.
We also visited a sucralose (noncaloric sweetener) plant on our first
day in China. Sucralose is an artificial
sweetener and the majority of
ingested sucralose is not broken
down by the body. Sucralose is approximately 600 times as sweet as
sucrose (table sugar), twice as sweet
as saccharin, and 3.3 times as sweet
as aspartame. Sucralose is stable
under heat and over a broad range
of pH conditions. Therefore, it can be
used in baking or in products that
require a longer shelf life. The commercial success of sucralose-based
products stems from its favorable
comparison to other low-calorie
sweeteners in terms of taste, stability,
and safety. However, we are still
investigating the ingredients of this
product so we could not grant
certification at this time. The facilities
for this company are in three different
locations, so much time was spent
in travelling from one facility to the
next.
We spent Shabbos in the Chabad
House in Shanghai where we had a
most uplifting Shabbos. I had the
honor of delivering a discourse on
kashrus to a full house on Shabbos
afternoon. I was invited to share
Shalosh Seudos with a group of
Satmar Chassidim and give over a
D’var Torah. I shared talks of the
Lubavitcher Rebbe and some
interesting stories which were very
well received.
I spent the next week visiting
facilities with Rabbi Yeshaya Prizant,
the ~ rabbi who oversees kashrus su-
stopped giving certification. This
company now decided to reconsider
kosher production, so we discussed
the various procedures and possibilities for implementing kosher production. Again, Reb Shaya showed great
familiarity with the facility, which was
a huge facility according to any standards and quite complicated, as well.
Subsequently, Rabbi Prizant made
another visit to the facility and we are
WE VISITED VARIOUS FACILITIES, SOME OF WHICH
WERE QUITE COMPLICATED, AND REB SHAYA WAS
WELL VERSED IN ALL ASPECTS OF THESE PLANTS.
pervision in China. Despite his youth,
Rabbi Prizant is well versed in
kashrus issues and received thorough
training by able ~ staff. We
visited various facilities, some of
which were quite complicated, and
Reb Shaya was well versed in all
aspects of these plants.
We visited a yeast plant, an oil
plant, and a pectin plant. The yeast
plant needs careful monitoring to
ensure that all productions are done
on the proper equipment. The yeast
company was considering some new
productions there which could compromise the kashrus of the equipment
and we discussed at length the various methods we could employ to
ensure the kashrus of our products.
As usual, Rabbi Prizant was quite
familiar with the entire facility.
The next facility we visited was an
oleo-chemical facility that was previously certified by the ~ when only
kosher products were made there. At
some point, the facility notified us
that they decided to produce nonkosher products as well, so the ~
working intensively to sort out the
potential kashrus issues there before
granting certification.
Finally, we also visited a pectin
facility. There I met a friend from a
pectin facility in Switzerland that we
certify! He is now in charge of this
pectin facility in China. It is fascinating when one realizes that our work
to enforce our kashrus standards in
Switzerland helped us years later to
uphold those standards in China! In
all of the facilities we visited together,
I saw that Reb Shaya is both well
respected and well liked for the great
work he, and all of the ~ staff, is
doing in China.
On the 15 hour flight home I had
time to contemplate about how the
experience and knowledge of the
older generation is being passed on to
a new generation of energetic and
devoted rabbis. My father, Rabbi Berel
Levy a”h, would be so proud of the
direction the ~ is continuing on,
combining high levels of lamdanus
and yiras shomayim with technical
expertise.
SPORT STRINGS
High-Performance, Compression Fit,
UV Protection… and ~ Kosher!
by Tamir Goodman
A
s a high school and
Division I college basketball player, I always
wore my kippah while playing ball,
but I was told that it was not desirable to wear tzitzis during athletics
because the perspiration and wear
and tear that the tzitzis would be
exposed to could degrade the
holiness of the garment.
10 • www.OK.org
At age twenty, I was recruited by
European powerhouse Maccabi
Tel Aviv to play professional basketball in Israel. Shortly after my
arrival, a coach asked me why I did
not wear tzitzis while playing. I
reiterated the answer that I had
been taught, but this exchange
spurred me to think more deeply
about the mitzvah of tzitzis.
After doing some research, I decided
to wear tzitzis on the court while
taking all measures to prevent
degrading the garment. While this
decision felt right to me, turning it
into actual practice was more complicated than I expected. First, since the
Israeli Basketball League prohibits
players from wearing anything under
the team jersey, I needed to obtain
special permission from the League to
wear my tzitzis. I soon discovered,
however, that the materials, fit and
design of the many styles of tzitzis I
tried were not conducive to performing at a high intensity level. Finally, the
tzitzis did not hold up well against all
the sweat and washing, requiring me
to purchase seemingly endless pairs.
After retiring from professional
basketball in 2009 due to several
severe injuries, I began focusing on
coaching. I repeatedly encountered
Jewish athletes who did not wear
tzitzis during athletics because the
garments were not comfortable or
fashionable, and considered by many
as unnecessary during sport. I learned
that it says, “V’asu lahem (for them)”
tzitzis” (Bamidbar 15:38) and was inspired by the plural usage to create a
line of tzitzis that appealed to a modern aesthetic and that could withstand rigorous activity so Jews
everywhere could adhere to the
mitzvah of wearing tzitzis in comfort and style, without needing
to worry about damaging the
garment.
After an extended process
of devising a design, locating
a manufacturer, developing the prototype, ensuring the tzitzis were
halachically kosher
while simultaneously
enhancing, rather
than
impeding,
athletic performance, and finally,
working with the
~ to secure
kosher certification,
Sport
Strings Tzitzis
become a reality.
Sport Strings is unique because the
garment is created out of high-performance athletic materials, offers a
compression fit, UV protection, and
four main aspects of the garment to
ensure the tzitzis were kosher: the
fabric used for the outer garment (the
use of synthetic fabrics is questionable for the tzitzis garment); the
I learned that it says,
“V’asu lahem tzitzis”
(Bamidbar 15:38) and was
inspired by the plural
usage to create a line of
tzitzis that appealed to
a modern aesthetic and
that could withstand
rigorous activity...
halachic status of the inner, wicking
garment; the openness on the sides to
render it a four-cornered garment;
and, finally, that the tzitzis were tied
according to halacha and that they
were placed properly on the corners
of the garment.
While Sport Strings are clearly
advantageous to athletes, they are
also a great option for those less inclined towards athletics. The compression design of Sport Strings fits
sleekly under casual and dress clothes
contributing to a neater looking appearance. Whether worn during athletics, at school, camp, or at the office,
it is my hope that outfitting the Biblical commandment with modern materials and design will help others
perform the mitzvah of tzitzis with
increased enthusiasm.
anti-odor and anti-microbial properties while strictly adhering to the
halachos regarding tzitzis. The
garment is constructed of two
attached lightweight layers with the
inner compression layer consisting of
the high-performance materials,
while the outer layer fulfills the
halachic requirements by being a four
cornered garment with the majority
of the sides open, and consisting of
material that is fifty-one percent
cotton.
~ Kosher Certification examined
Sport Strings can be customized
with graphics and individualized
and team logos. For more information about Sport Strings,
please go to tamirgoodman.com
Chanukah Recipe
Red Onion and Russet
Potato Latkes
with Cinnamon Apple Sour Cream
1 (12 oz) container sour
cream
2/3 cup unsweetened
applesauce
2 tbsp. brown sugar
2 tsp group cinnamon
Pinch of salt
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 unpeeled apple, cored and
shredded
2 tsp salt
4 russet potatoes (about 1 lb),
peeled and shredded
1 medium red onion,
shredded
1: Mix sour cream, applesauce, brown sugar,
cinnamon and salt together.
2: Roll shredded apple in a clean kitchen towel and
squeeze out excess water.
3: Stir drained apple shreds into the sour cream
mixture. Adjust seasonings to taste and
refrigerate until ready to serve.
4: Roll shredded potato and onion in a clean
kitchen towel and squeeze out excess water. Place
in a large mixing bowl. Add flour and salt. Toss
to coat evenly.
5: Stir in eggs, mixing to coat evenly.
6: Line two baking sheets with paper towels.
2 eggs, whisked
½ cup canola or vegetable oil
Chives for garnish
7: Heat ¼ cup oil in a large sautee pan or skillet
over medium heat.
8: Form a ½ cup of the latke mixture into a ball,
press into a ½-inch thick patty and place in
skillet. Make enough latkes to fill the pan without
overcrowding.
9: Cook each side about 3 to 4 minutes, until
golden and crisp. Drain on paper towel-lined
baking sheets.
10: Add more oil, if needed, and repeat until the
latke batter is used up.
11: Garnish with chives and serve warm with
Cinnamon Apple Sour Cream.
This recipe makes approx. 10, 3-inch latkes
12 • www.OK.org
Prigat Boot1h Mashgiach Conf. Pictures
Rabbi Fogelman putting tefillin on a vis
itor
T he ~ Booth
Koppers Booth
Mendy’s P assover Bak
ery Booth
Rabbi Levy, Rabbi Haskel and Rabbi Lando
meeting with T he Chief Rabbi of Israel,
Rabbi Yona Metzger
ne of the greatest accomplishments of
the kosher food industry was making
mainstream products in the commercial cereal market kosher. When I think of
breakfast cereal, the iconic Post® logo immediately comes to mind — that ubiquitous red
oval logo that graces almost every American
kitchen and conjures up childhood memories of
countless bowls of Cocoa Pebbles and Raisin Bran.
Every child that grew up in a kosher home eating
Post® cereals shares in these memories.
O
Founded in 1895 by C.W. Post, the
first products were conjured up in an
old barn in Battle Creek, Michigan.
Post’s first creation, “Postum” was a
cereal beverage and one of the first
packaged breakfast products marketed in America. By 1897, Post®
Grape Nuts, one of the first ready to
eat cold cereals, was available for purchase by the public. C.W. Post bought
a large parcel of land in Battle Creek
and built a state-of-the art production
facility alongside modest homes for
his employees. He created both employment opportunities for a large
segment of the local population, as
well as housing for their families. The
company continued to grow and from
1925 to 1929, C.W. Post’s company
acquired over a dozen other companies and expanded production to
more than 60 products. In 1929, the
POST® CEREALS
& ~ KOSHER
CERTIFICATION
Providing the Best to the
Kosher Consumer
by Dina Fraenkel
14 • www.OK.org
parent corporation name
changed to General
Foods Corporation. In
1942, Post® introduced
its iconic Raisin Bran cereal, which is a staple
product in millions of
American households. In
1971, the perennial favorites
Fruity and Cocoa Pebbles debuted in
supermarkets across the country and
in 1992 Post® recently celebrated the
100th anniversary of Shredded
Wheat cereal.
The ~ has certified Post® Cereals
for over 60 years. To date, over 3,500
kashrus inspections have been logged
at Post® manufacturing facilities and
seven rabbis oversee the kosher supervision program. Today, the ~ certifies 64 varieties of Post cereals,
produced in six different facilities.
Some kosher certified varieties are
pareve, while some are certified dairy
(not Cholov Yisroel).
In 1942, Post® introduced its iconic Raisin
Bran cereal, which is a staple product in
millions of American households.
Post® takes its commitment to
kosher compliance very seriously.
Dedicated personnel within the company work continuously with the ~
to ensure that every step of the kosher
protocol is followed precisely and that
all products are accurately labeled.
There was a time that kosher cereal
contained non-kosher promotional
items. This posed absolutely no
kashrus issue, since the promotional
item was individually wrapped and
clearly marked as non-kosher. Unfortunately, however, there were still
kosher consumers who were confused. ~ Kosher, known for its clear
mission of kashrus without compromise, worked cooperatively with Post®
management to protect the kosher in-
tegrity of Post® products and Post®
went out of its way to discontinue the
entire campaign despite the loss involved.
JaNeen Allen, Nutrition and Regulatory Scientist at Post® and the liaison
between the ~ and Post®, reiterated
the Post® commitment to providing a
wide variety of kosher products: “As
one of the fastest growing food manufacturing companies in the US, Post
Holdings is always striving to provide
range of products for the consumer.
Within that range, we want to ensure
that if there is an opportunity for our
products to be accepted as kosher, we
follow that course. For years we have
worked with the ~ and we are looking forward to continuing our rela-
tionship and providing as many
kosher products as possible to your
community. Thank you so much for
the opportunities you have imparted
on our company.”
Rabbi Eli Lando, Chief Customer
Relations Officer at the ~, whose
team works directly with Post®, is
continually impressed by Post® Foods’
respect for the kosher consumer. “It is
heartwarming to see that Post® appreciates the importance of ~ Kosher’s
high kosher standards and the needs
of the kosher consumer. This achievement is a direct result of our commitment to full cooperation with our
customers and we look forward to an
ongoing relationship and growth for
the benefit of all kosher consumers.
The ~ and Post® are proud to announce a new kosher certified variety
of the famous, kid-favorite “Pebbles”
cereals – Post® Chocolate Peanut Butter Pebbles Boulders.
Ms. JaNeen Allen and Mr. George
Dover attended the ~ International
Mashgiach conference to accept the
Featured Company award on behalf
of Post® Foods, LLC.
!
in Aatcttheion2011
International ~ Mashgiach
Conference
HaRav Yosef Y. Braun,
Chaver HaBadatz of Cr
own Heights
~ Headquarters Rabbis
Rabbi Don Yoeinisl Ltevray,tor
Kashrus Adm
Rabbi Yitzchok Ort
Rabbi Hillel Baron
Rabbi YisdusroMeelvueStresern
Chassi
16 • www.OK.org
Rabbi Don Yoel Levy and Rabbi Ahron Haskel
Dmitry STaalmitiraGanooddman pres
Pro Boxer
enting the Featured Mashgiach Award
Pro Basketball Player
to Rabbi Binyomin Neufeld
Mr. Menachem
CEO of LUBILCubinsky,
OM
Tamir Goodman, creator of
Sport Strings Tzitzis
Caption
ed Company
~ Staff presenting theenFeAlatlenurand
Mr.
Ne
Award to Ms.geJa
Geor Dover of Post
Rabbi Yitzchok Gornish
Rabbi Don Yoe y and Rabbi Shimon
Lasker presentinlgLev
Featured Ma iach
Award to Rabbi Shlthe
oime Bistritsky,shg
Chief
Rabbi of Hamburg
Rabbi Don Yoel Levy and Rabbi Shimon
Lasker presenting the Featured
Company
Award to Mr. Ad van Vugt of Exte
r B.V.
~
BEHIND
MEET OUR STAFF:
WHO’S BEHIND THE ~
Interview with
Rabbi Aaron
Weiss
Rabbi Aaron W
eiss
KS: Where did you grow up? Where did you go to
yeshiva?
RAW: I was born and raised in Boro Park, Brooklyn.
After attending the Munkacs cheder and Yeshiva Ketana,
I went to study in the Slabodka Yeshiva in B’nei Brak, Israel
for two years. I then returned to the U.S. where I studied
for a short time in Bais HaTalmud and for the next 4 years
in Beth Medrash Gevoha in Lakewood.
KS: What did you do after yeshiva?
RAW: After marrying my wife, Sarah, the daughter of
the Kopycnitzer Rebbe ZT”L, I entered the kollel of Rabbi
Soloveitchik in Midwood, Brooklyn where I am still considered a member and spend whatever free time I have
there. After several years of full time learning I was offered
a teaching position in Yeshiva Shaar HaTalmud where I
taught for six years.
KS: What is your current position at the ~?
RAW: I am a Rabbinic Coordinator responsible for the
kosher programs at a number of companies. I am also one
of the few rabbis who travel extensively to do initial and
annual visits at our companies. I also work with my good
friend and colleague Rabbi Yitzchak Gornish to evaluate
ingredients and product formulas submitted to us by our
certified companies.
KS: What prepared you the most for your current
position at the ~?
RAW: During my eleven years in kollel I spent much of
my time studying the halachos in Shulchan Oruch Yoreh
18 • www.OK.org
Deah that pertain to the world of kashrus. On the advice
of my parents and friends, I chose to make a career of it
and was fortunate that an opening became available at the
~. I am grateful to the ~ that they showed confidence in
me and invested in my on the job training (particularly
under my good friend Rabbi Yitzchak Hanoka) in the practical aspects of kashrus. In addition, I was lucky to be surrounded by great family and friends who instilled in me
the social skills and personal interactions that are so important for success in the field of kashrus today.
KS: What is best thing about working at the ~?
RAW: There are so many things I enjoy working in the
field of kashrus in general and at the ~ specifically that it
is hard to choose what I like most. One very rewarding aspect of the job is the chance to share the experience and
the knowledge gained with other rabbonim in the field
who are constantly consulting with the ~ for advice and
information. This gives me an opportunity to interact with,
and get to know many esteemed rabbonim. I also enjoy visiting the out of town Jewish communities on my extensive
travels where I get to meet many interesting people, not to
mention the visits to the plants themselves. My wife always
says that I go on “Chol HaMoed trips” all year round. The
people I work with are the best and nicest in the business
and I look forward to coming to work each day, which is a
blessing.
KS: How would you describe the ~ today?
RAW: The ~ today is at the forefront of innovation in
“Rabbi Weiss is one of the many
upcoming stars at the ~”
– Rabbi Don Yoel Levy,
Kashrus Administrator, ~ Kosher Certification
“
What Other People Say
About Rabbi Weiss
kashrus. The ~ is always looking to improve its systems to even better serve
their customers and the general kosher
consumer public. The only “downside”
with this is that by the time I finally get
comfortable with one system the ~
has found a “better” one to replace that
system!
KS: Can you share an interesting
experience that you had while
working at the ~?
RAW: One time I traveled to Germany to do Annual Visits at a few ~
companies. One afternoon, I had some
free time to do a little sightseeing. I
took the opportunity to tour Nuremberg and visited the Luitpoldarena,
also known as the Party Rally Grounds
for the Nazis ym”s. I stood on the
stone terrace of the Ehrenhalle (Hall
of Honor) where Hitler ym”s made his
famous 1933 speech at the Reichsparteitag (Nuremberg Rally). I
stood in the exact spot where he
spoke and I said some Tehillim and
Kel Maleh Rachamim.
It was a really eerie, yet proud moment for me. All of the Germans who
stood here and tried to annihilate the
Jews are now dead, and here I was, a
frum, Chassidishe Jew with a beard
and peyos standing free in Germany,
traveling without fear and performing kashrus inspections. It was truly
an awe-inspiring experience.
R
abbi Weiss is one of the many
upcoming stars at
the ~. He comes from a family
familiar with the
field of kashrus and the ~ wor
ked with both his father
and grandfather in the past. Rab
bi Weiss was trained
by the ~ and he fits into our sys
tem perfectly. He is
well liked by the facility personn
el and is very
thorough in his work. Rabbi Wei
ss also works in the
field of formula approval, which
is unique to the ~. He
makes great contributions to kas
hrus worldwide.
Rabbi Don Yoel Levy,
Kashrus Administrator, ~ Kos
her Certification
R
abbi Aaron Weiss exemplifies
the highest
standards of diligence and relia
bility. He is
methodical in his approach to
the myriad of challenges
his position in kashrus encoun
ters. He is conscientious
to a fault. He defines the principl
es in the kashrus
industry by constantly reviewi
ng the halachos and
updating his technical knowle
dge. It is an extreme
honor to serve alongside him at
~ Kosher Certification.
Rabbi Yitzchak Gornish,
Rabbinic Coordinator, ~ Kosher
Certification
R
abbi Weiss has an exceptional
combination of
qualities that make him unique
in his field. He is a
Talmid Chacham with a thoroug
h knowledge of
kashrus and at the same time
he has a warm and
approachable personality. I con
sider it a privilege to
work together with him..
Rabbi Yitzchak Hanoka,
Rabbinic Coordinator, ~ Kosher
Certification
N E W C O M PA N I E S
9
16
WAYS
~ Koshered your
world in 2011!
ACADIAN CROSSING
CONSUMER PRODUCTS LLT
BEURALIA
CP KELCO BRASIL S/A
QUIMPER, FRANCE
VILA GLORIA, LIMEIRA, BRAZIL
BIO SPRINGER
CP KELCO OKMULGEE
MAISONS ALFORT, FRANCE
OKMULGEE, OK, USA
BIOCATALYSTS LIMITED
CP KELCO SAN DIEGO
ACEITES SIERRA MORENA
CARDIFF, UNITED KINGDOM
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, USA
FUENCALIENTE, SPAIN
BLENCOR LLC
AGRANA JUICE CO., LTD
SEALY, TX USA
CP KELCO SHANDONG
XIANYANG, SHAANXI, CHINA
CALIFORNIA DELIGHTS., INC.
AGROINBOL SRL
NEWMAN, CALIFORNIA USA
EL ALTO DE LA PAZ, BOLIVIA
SAN ANTONIO, TX USA
ACAM TRANSPORT INC.
ST-HYACINTHE, QUEBEC, CA
WULIAN COUNTY, SHANDONG,
CHINA
ENCORE GOURMET, DIVISION
OF PINNACLE FLAVORS AND
INGREDIENTS
POINT CLAIRE, CANADA
ESG KRAUTER GMBH
ASBACH-BÄUMENHEIM,
GERMANY
EXPRESSIONS
AROMATIQUES
MOUANS SARTOUX, FRANCE
EXQUISITE CATERING INC.
AGROVIM SA
CAPALBO'S GIFT BASKETSM&M WINES CORP.
CUORE EMILIANO SRL
MEMBER OF THE PURATOS
GROUP
KALAMATA, GREECE
CLIFTON, NJ, USA
VIADANA, ITALY
AVON, OH USA
ALPHANUTRITION
CARR VALLEY CHEESE CO.
DAESANG CORPORATION
LA SEAUVE SUR SEMENE,
FRANCE
LA VALLE, WI USA
FLEX FOODS LTD
SEOUL, KOREA
NOIDA, INDIA
CELLUTIONS
AMOROS NATURE, S.L.
SUNRISE, FLORIDA USA
DAIRY CONNECTION
GIRONA, SPAIN
FREYVONNE MILLING
SERVICES
CHALAV U'DEVASH
AMYELL LLC (LOTUS MIAMI)
LOS ANGELES, CA USA
SURFSIDE, FLORIDA, USA
CHICKEN MASHUGANA
ENTERPRISES, INC
ANDAMAN SURIMI
INDUSTRIES CO.LTD.
SAMUTSAKHON, THAILAND
ARCO S.A.S.
MADISON ,WI USA
DAVIE, FLORIDA USA
FLAVORSEAL, LLC
DEKKER TANKOPSLAG BV
DAVAO CITY, PHILIPPINES
OUDERKERK A.D. IJSSEL,
NETHERLANDS
FRUVEMEX
VISALIA, CALIFORNIA USA
DELICIOUS FOOD
DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
FUJIAN ZISHAN GROUP CO.
CHOCOLATE STAR
INDUSTIES (1996) LTD
REGO PARK, NY USA
FULL-FILL INDUSTRIES, LLC
DEMONSTRATION FACILITY
HENNING, IL USA
LOS ANGELES, CA USA
FUYANG BEST FLAVOR
PERFUMERY CO., LTD.
GRASSE, FRANCE
CARMIEL, ISRAEL
AUCHTEL PRODUCTS LTD
CHR HANSEN ITALIA SPA
MUMBAI, INDIA
PARMA , ITALY
BANAH INTERNATIONAL
GROUP, INC.
CITY NUT AND CANDY
MIAMI, FLORIDA USA
COFFEE PROCESS TECH CORP
BARENTZ INGREDIENTS BV
HOUSTON, TX USA
WOLVEGA, THE NETHERLANDS
COSTA RICA COFFEE EXPORT
HOLLYWOOD, FLORIDA USA
DENIZ TARIM URUNLERI TIC.
SAN AS
NIZIP, GAZIANTEP, TURKEY
DREAMPAK, LLC
NEW BERLIN, WI USA
DUET KOSHER
CALEXICO, CALIFORNIA, USA
LONGHAI, FUJIAN, CHINA
FUYANG, ANHUI PROVINCE,
CHINA
G & I PRODUCTS
GILBERT, AZ, USA
GENERAL MILLS
MINNEAPOLIS,MN, USA
BELLYHUGS
SANTO DOMINGO
BROOKLYN, NY USA
FLORIDA USA
HEREDIA
DUJARDIN BRETAGNE
GIBBSVILLE CHEESE
COMPANY, INC.
COSTA RICA
LE MOUSTOIR, FRANCE
SHEBOYGAN FALLS,WI, USA
COURRIN JEAN ET FILS
ELEMENTS LLC
GOURMET EXPRESS, LLC
MIAMI, FLORIDA USA
GRASSE, FRANCE
HAWTHORNE, NJ USA
TEMPE, AZ, USA
BERNARDI S.A
CP KELCO AANEKOSKI
ELI-AD OLIVE OIL LTD
GRADIENT LTD.
GRASSE, FRANCE
AANEKOSKI, FINLAND
RISHON LEZION, ISRAEL
SHENZHEN, GUANDONG, CHINA
BERNARD GROUP
TECHNOLOGIES
20 • www.OK.org
GREEN OLIVE
MAGNAKRON CORP
NEW YORK, NY, USA
JACKSON, NJ, USA
GUANXIAN RUIXIANG
BIOTECHNOLOGY
DEVELOPMENT CO.,LTD
MAPLE GROVE FARMS
OF VERMONT
LIAOCHENG, JINAN, CHINA
HARKHAM WINERIES PTY
SYDNEY, NSW, AUSTRALIA
HEALTHY CHOCOLATE
COMPANY
SARASOTA, FLORIDA USA
(A division of B&G Foods)
ST. JOHNSBURY, VT, USA
MICKEY SHANKS
D.B.A. BULK CANDY STORE
LAKE WORTH, FLORIDA, USA
MOSCO LTD
HOTTA KATSUTARO SHOTEN
CO., LTD.
TEL MOND, ISRAEL
UJI-SHI, JAPAN
MSD CONSUMER CARE., A
SUBSIDIARY OF MERCK & CO.
PT. ROYAL INDUSTRIES
INDONESIA
TASTYSNACK QUALITY
FOODS, INC.
KARAWANG, WEST JAVA,
INDONESIA
ABBOTTSTOWN, PA USA
Q TONIC LLC
1421 SOFIA, BULGARIA
BROOKLYN, NY USA
QINGDAO ZHUANGHE
INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD
QINGDAO, SHANDONG, CHINA
TELISH JSCO.
THE EGYPTIAN COMPANY FOR
FOOD DEVELOPMENT
ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT
QINHUANGDAO GOLDENSEA
FOODSTUFF INDUSTRIES CO.
THE GREATWALL
BIOCHEMICAL ENGINEERING
CO.LTD.
QINHUANGDAO, HEBEI, CHINA
ZHANGJIAKOU, CHINA
RICHIES KING OF SLUSH MFG.
CO. INC.
THE HARVESTERS
INDUSTRIES
EVERETT, MA USA
ASHDOD, ISRAEL
LIMA, PERU
SUMMIT, NJ, USA
ROCAL SAS
VERDUN, FRANCE
MYEONG SHIN AGAR AGAR
MFG. CO., LTD
SAINT BENOIT SUR LOIRE,
FRANCE
THE PEANUT ROASTER
INEOS CHAMPLOR
INTERNATIONAL HARVEST
INC.
YANGSANCITY, KYUNGNAM,
KOREA
RUBIS TERMINAL
INDUSTRIAL ALPAMAYO
MOUNT VERNON, NY USA
IOI LIPID ENZYMTEC SDN BHD
PASIR GUDANG, JOHOR,
MALAYSIA
NATURALSP-BMENDOZA
LTDA "NATURALSP LTDA"
EL ALTO DE LA PAZ, BOLIVIA
JACOBSENS BAKERY LTD. A/S
NESTLE FRANCE SAS
HEDENSTED, DENMARK
MARNE LA VALLEE CEDEX
NOISIEL, FRANCE
JCCAFE INC.
TENAFLY, NJ USA
JILIDING MARINE BIOTECH
CO,. LTD
TAICANG, JIANGSU, CHINA
JILIN PROVINCE DAHE FOOD
DEVELOPMENT CO. LTD.
CHANGCHUN, JILIN, CHINA
NIKKO CHEMICALS
(SINGAPORE) PTE LTD
DUNKIRK, FRANCE
RUMIANO CHEESE COMPANY
CRESCENT CITY, CA USA
S.I.L. RUBIN LTD
YAVNE, ISRAEL
SALUS INGREDIENTS
NEW JERSEY
SAMMARK, INC.
D.B.A. GEMELLI BAKERS
STATE COLLEGE, PA USA
JURONG ISLAND, SINGAPORE
SASLOVE LTD
NORTH AMERICA FOOD &
BEVERAGE, INC
KIBBUTZ EYAL, ISRAEL
CHESTERFIELD, MO USA
ZWIJNDRECHT, BELGIUM
SEPPIC BELGIUM S.A.
SERENDIPOL (PVT)
HENDERSON, NC USA
TIMBER GROUP LLP
ODESSA, UKRAINE
TRAM BAR DBA KATE'S
VICTOR, ID USA
TUCUMCARI MOUNTAIN
CHEESE FACTORY, INC.
TUCUMCARI, NM USA
TULIP WINERY LTD
K.TIVON, ISRAEL
TURNBULL BAKERIES, LLC
NEW ORLEANS, LA, USA
U.G.F
HOLON, ISRAEL
UPPER CRUST BAKERY
PHOENIX, AZ USA
VENCHI SPA
JULIAN'S RECIPE, LLC
OAO MOLOCHNIY MIR
BROOKLYN, NY USA
GRODNO, BELARUS
KULIYAPITIYA, NORTH
WESTERN, SRI LANKA
KAMANI OIL INDUSTRIES
PVT. LTD
OOO VISMOL
SOLOMON & SAMSON
LUTSK, UKRAINE
BROOKLYN, NY USA
SAINT HILAIRE D'OZILHAN,
FRANCE
OPERADORA HR SA
SP SANTA BREMOR LTD.
VIKTORIA’S GOURMET FOODS
PEURTO PLATA, DOMINICAN
REPUBLIC
BREST, BELARUS
PORT WASHINGTON, NY USA
SPECIALTY FOOD GROUP
VITASWEET CO., LTD.
RAIGAD, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA
KAPPA BIOSCIENCE AS
OSLO, NORWAY
KIANTAMA LTD.
SUOMUSSALMI, FINLAND
KOSHER BRANDS, 770
GASTRONOMIA LTDA
SAO PAULO, BRAZIL
PACKAGING SPECIALISTS, LLC
CHESWICK, PA USA
PAOLA CAKE ATELIER INC
MIAMI, FLORIDA USA
BEIJING, CHINA
SPORTS STRINGS
VTHAL INC.
CLEVELAND, OHIO, USA
BROOKLYN, NY USA
SPRATFIL AS
WELLNESSPRO
INCORPORATED
TALLINN, ESTONIA
PETERSON FARMS, INC.
SQUEEZE Z FOOD
KIEV, UKRAINE
SHELBY, MI USA
NEW YORK, NY USA
KREHALON INDUSTRIE BV
AK DEVENTER, NETHERLAND
PINGDINGSHAN TIANJING
PLANT ALBUMEN CO., LTD
STRONG GINSENG & HERBS
(BAISHAN) INDUSTRIES CO
KURITA DO BRASIL LTDA.
PINGDINGSHAN, HENAN, CHINA
LA FORMICA S.R.L.
SCAFATI, ITALY
LACTALIS AMERICAN GROUP
BUFFALO, NY, USA
LALLEMAND IBERIA SA
PLANTATION PEANUTS OF
WAKEFIELD VA INC.
ENCINO, CALIFORNIA USA
FUSONG, JILIN, CHINA
SUIZA DAIRY
PUERTO RICO
WAKEFIELD, VA USA
SUKKAH DEPOT
PLOT ENTERPRISE GHANA
LIMITED
SUN GROVE FOODS, INC
TAKORADI, GHANA
VIGNOBLES DAVID
VALPARAISO, IN, USA
KOSHER GLOBAL VILLAGE
SYSTEMS
ARTUR NOGUEIRA, SAO PAULO,
BRAZIL
CASTELLTO STURA, ITALY
BROOKLYN, NY USA
PASSAIC, NJ USA
SUNRISE CORPORATION
WHITE HILL CHEESE
COMPANY
SHULLSBURG, WI USA
WOORI FOOD.,LTD
GYEONGGI-DO, KOREA
WORLD FOOD PRODUCTS
RIPON, CALIFORNIA, USA
XINJIANG HESHUO DINGDING
FOODSTUFF CO., LTD
HESHUO, XINJIANG, CHINA
XINJIANG YANYANGTIAN
TOMATO PRODUCTS CO,LTD
DAMAN, UT INDIA
LEROUX SAS
PRANAV AGRO INDUSTRIES
LIMITED
ORCHIES, FRANCE
PUNE, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA
EAST GREENWHICH, RI USA
LIANYUNGANG BEFE FOODS
TAIAN BEST EHOO CO., LTD
LIANYUNGANG, JIANGSU, CHINA
PT. INDOALUMINIUM
INTIKARSA INDUSTRI
LIBERTY NATURAL FOODS INC
JAKARTA, WEST JAVA,
INDONESIA
TAIAN ZIYANG FOOD CO.,LTD
YINGKOU TRUSTY FRUITS &
VEGETABLES PROCESSING
CO., LTD.
TAIAN, SHANDONG, CHINA
GAIZHOU, LIAONING, CHINA
SETUBAL, PORTUGAL
MASPETH, NY, USA
SUNSATIONAL LLC
TAIAN, SHANDONG, CHINA
WUJIAQU, XINJIANG, CHINA
YAFFO WINERY
TEL AVIV, ISRAEL
Visit www.ok.org for a complete list of certified companies and their products.
CHASSIDIC INSIGHTS
Compiled by Dina Fraenkel
e G-dly
Lights
n Chanukah, the Previous Lubavitcher Rebbe,
Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Schneersohn, would tell his
followers: “We must listen carefully to what the
candles are saying.”1 The message of Chanukah
permeates our service to G-d throughout the year, as it
says in Mishlei, “A mitzvah is a lamp and Torah is light.”2
Of course, this applies to all mitzvos, but even more so to
those that are connected to visible light.
O
The spiritual effects of the
Chanukah lights are clearly discerned
from the halachos surrounding the
mitzvah. The candles should be
lit after sunset and burn into
the night and they should be
placed outside the entrance to
one’s home, primarily to illuminate the public domain.3
Both the darkness of night
and the public domain represent those which obscure
G-dliness and prevent G-d’s
Light from permeating all aspects of our existence. Lighting
the Chanukah candles elevates
the material world to reveal the
G-dliness concealed inside.
The lights of Chanukah
possess a unique power that is
linked to the type of miracle
they commemorate. The rule of
the Greeks was a time of intense
spiritual darkness, but the Macabees
were able to persuade even the
Hellenized Jews to do teshuva
and have mesiras nefesh to
fight the Greeks and emerge
victorious, rededicating the Beis
HaMikdash and transforming darkness into light.
In the Chanukah song HaNeiros
Hallalu we learn another halacha regarding the Chanukah lights: “These
lights are holy and we are not permitted to make use of them, only to look
at them.” To ensure that we don’t derive any personal benefit from the
Chanukah lights, we light an extra
candle, the shamash, which is placed
above all of the other candles.4 Again,
this law emphasizes the uniqueness of
the mitzvah of the Chanukah lights.
This mitzvah is only performed
“lishmah” (for the sake of Heaven)
with no material reward, teaching us
to transcend ourselves and our selfinterest to serve G-d for His sake
alone and since the lights are kindled
when it is dark outside, it shows that
we can even attain this level in times
when G-dliness is concealed.
Finally, it is a universal Jewish custom to add a light for each night of
Chanukah even though the minimum
halachic requirement is to light one
light on each night.5 Furthermore,
many have the custom to add a light
each night for each member of the
household, observing the mitzvah
mehadrin min hamehadrin (in the
highest level possible). Our ability to
fulfill the mitzvah of the Chanukah
lights to the highest level was given to
us by the Macabees who, although
they could have technically lit the
menorah with impure oil, searched
until they found a flask of pure oil,
mehadrin min hamehadrin.
From all of the halachos of
Chanukah we learn that we must continually increase light in the world
and spread that light to the farthest
reaches. As we take this lesson with
us throughout the year, may each of
us be inspired to further our spiritual
growth, spread G-dly light in our
homes and throughout the world and
to transform the darkness of the material world into light, ultimately brining the Ultimate Light of the Final
Redemption.
1. Kuntreis Baruch SheAsah Nissim (Kehot, NY, 5711). 2. Mishlei 6:23. 3. Gemara Shabbos 21b;
Shulchan Oruch, Orach Chayim 672:1-2. 4. Shulchan Oruch, Orach Chayim 673:1. 5. Shabbos 21b;
Rambam, Mishneh Torah, Hilchos Chanukah 4:1; Tur, Shulchan Oruch, Orach Chayim 671:2.
22 • www.OK.org
SOUL NUTRITION
Spiritual
DOORS
doorway requires special protection.
When it’s open anything can come
in and anything can go out. It is the
same with new revelations that enter
your heart. It needs protection in order
for us to receive it, and then it needs
protection that it should not get lost.
The mezuzah on the right side of the
door enables the holiness to enter
our homes and the Chanukah lights
on the left protect that holiness
from being lost.
A
The Greeks endangered the
Jewish people by breaking their
doors, physically and spiritually.
Physically, they broke the doors
to the Beis HaMikdash.
Spiritually, they forbade the
Jews from observing Shabbos,
Rosh Chodesh and bris milah.
All three are doorways –
Shabbos is the doorway of
blessing for the week, Rosh
Chodesh is the doorway of
blessing for the month, and
bris milah is the doorway
through which Jews are
brought into the world.
Kosher
by the
Numbers
40%
Nearly
of the nation’s kosher
food production is done in
New York State.
Why Americans Buy Kosher:
55%
health and safety
35%
taste or flavor
8%
good products
8%
looking for vegetarian
products for religious
or dietary reasons
16%
8%
keep
kosher all
the time
38%
extra oversight
involved
vegetarians
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products certified kosher by ~ Kosher Certification. Search by company
or by category and have the latest info at your fingertips.
~
2 cutting-edge Kosher Apps now available as a free download
on the App Store and the Android Marketplace
KOSHER
CERTIFICATION
Kosher Spirit, 391 Troy Avenue • Brooklyn, NY 11213
718-756-7500 • [email protected] • www.ok.org
24 • www.OK.org
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PDF - Kosher Certification

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