Secrets from the World of Kashrut

 Secrets from the World of Kashrut 

Important Kashrut Updates In preparation for the upcoming vacation period.

From the desk of the renowned Kashrut expert, Rabbi Yochanan Reichman

This time: Shabbat during a vacation

Many people take vacations in hotels, guesthouses, cabins, and more, both in Israel and abroad during the vacation season, and it's clear as day that they seek to enjoy their rest in a proper manner, without compromising on Halacha, and certainly without stumbling, Heaven forbid.

To clarify and explain this issue to the general public, who may not be fully aware of the complexities involved, I would like to briefly outline the problems and pitfalls that could, Heaven forbid, arise from not maintaining a proper kashrut system and to raise awareness and understanding of this important issue, both during weekdays and on Shabbat and holidays.

Many vacationers enjoy holding a Shabbat meal outdoors, in the garden, on the grass, or in a forest or orchard amidst fruit trees, where a cool breeze blows, or at least having a fruit "Tish" after the meal on Friday night, or serving tea on Shabbat afternoon after the midday nap, even in hotels, guesthouses, and rented cabins in settlements and villages surrounded by grassy areas and more.

A. Did you know that it is halachically forbidden on Shabbat to eat and drink in a place where plants grow or where seeds might fall and grow?

I'll share an interesting anecdote from when I was in charge of kashrut at a hotel during the vacation season. Despite warning the hotel's food and beverage manager before Shabbat and explaining that the water in the Shabbat urns placed on the tables on the grass must boil before sunset, my warnings were ignored. When sunset arrived, I noticed that the water hadn't boiled, meaning it would be forbidden to use this water on Shabbat due to the prohibition of leaving it on a fire that was not properly prepared. I opened the urns' taps, spilling all the water onto the grass, and immediately realized, with God's help, that this was watering the grass on Shabbat. I quickly stopped, closed the taps, and brought a bucket to prevent the water from spilling onto the grass. Yes, it caused a mess and shouting, but a kashrut supervisor shouldn't be moved by that. Instead, they must firmly uphold the kashrut standards since hundreds of Jews rely on them, and they must do their job faithfully.

Sometimes, handwashing stations are added in places where the water flows towards grassy or tree-filled areas, which must also be noted.

On Shabbat:

• Swinging in hammocks attached to trees.
• Wanting to retrieve a ball that fell on a tree during a game.
• Wanting to use a towel you hung on a tree.
• Wearing a suit that is hanging on a tree.

B. Did you know it is forbidden to use a tree on Shabbat? Therefore, anything placed or hung on a tree on Shabbat is forbidden to be used on Shabbat. It's important to note that if these items are connected to a nail attached to the tree, they can be used. (For example, a suit hanging on the tree with a watch or tissue in the pocket can have these items removed, though the suit itself is forbidden to be used.)

Similarly, it is forbidden to smell fruits on a tree on Shabbat. And it is forbidden to pick up fruits that fell from a tree on Shabbat.

After the meal, the announcement is made in the hotel dining room for the vacationers, "We are going for a walk with the renowned guide around the settlement, etc., where we will see... and hear... guaranteed enjoyment..." Many take off their Shabbat outerwear (streimel/hat, kapote) and go for a leisurely Shabbat walk.

C. Did you know it is halachically forbidden to go for a walk on Shabbat without wearing at least one Shabbat garment? (It is not sufficient to wear a regular shirt and pants as on a weekday.)

In general, it’s good to know: Preparations for Shabbat in hotels, guesthouses, cabins, and resorts are many and complex, and it is easy to stumble, Heaven forbid, in Shabbat desecration.

For example:

• Turning off the light in the room refrigerator.
• Turning off the light in the wardrobe in the room.
• Neutralizing the room's lighting and air conditioning sensors.
• Covering electronic eyes in the bathrooms.
• Disconnecting electric hand dryers.
• Requesting a Shabbat key for the room.
• There are places around the hotel where the light turns on when you pass by and turns off when you move away.
• Some places require setting up an eruv chatzerot (enclosure) otherwise, it is forbidden to carry within the hotel itself from room to hallway or in the building's stairwell, etc.

It takes a lot of divine assistance and extensive Torah knowledge to vacation according to Halacha. May we not stumble, Amen.

For information and consultation: Phone: 052-7112543 WhatsApp: 054-7694615 Email: yr383464@gmail.com