Best Kashrus Podcasts (2024)

1
Optical Illusion 8:11

3h ago8:11

8:11

Maris Ayin Confusion Can I walk into McDonalds to get a drink? How about to use the restroom? Can one have a business meeting in a treife restaurant? These and other maris ayin questions answered by Rav Shmuel Fuerst - Dayan of Agudas Yisroel of Illinois in this weeks episode. View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/optical…

1
Kosher Explosion 15:45

5d ago15:45

15:45

50 Years In Motion Let's listen in to R' Menachem Lubinsky, President & CEO of LUBICOM Marketing Consulting, for his unique perspective behind the scenes as he observed the explosive growth of Kosher products over the last 50 years. View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/kosher-explosion To Sponsor An Episode: https://pay.…

1
Raisin’ Awareness 12:13

12d ago12:13

12:13

What’s the deal with dried fruits? Apricots, Raisins, Dates are some of the more common ones. Rabbi Tzvi Rosen - Kashrus Administrator at the STAR-K explains the entire drying process and what to look out for. View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/raisin-awareness To Sponsor An Episode: https://pay.banquest.com/kashrusawa…

1
Cutting Edge Of Kashrus 9:33

22d ago9:33

9:33

There’s never a dull moment with Rabbi Sholom H. Adler - Senior Kashrus Administrator at Earth Kosher. But what do you do when your knife gets dull? Let’s learn what to look out for when having your knife professionally sharpened. View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/cutting-edge-of-kashrus To Sponsor An Episode: https:/…

1
Sweet Dreams! 9:10

29d ago9:10

9:10

Overnight SakanahChazal say that leaving peeled eggs, garlic, and onions overnight makes them dangerous to consume. Sleeping on top of food, as well as eating fish and meat together are other examples of dangerous foods. Let's listen in to Rav Shmuel Fuerst - Dayan of Agudas Yisroel of Illinois as he explains us the exact parameters of Chazal's tak…

1
Picture Perfect Kiddush 13:18

1M ago13:18

13:18

Focus on ShabbosAre the waiters at your simcha allowed to take pictures for you on Shabbos? What happens if you run out of ice? These questions and more answered by Rabbi Moshe Zev Kaufman - Rav of Khal Adas Bnei Yisroel in Chicago, Menahel of the Midwest Bais Horaah, as he walks us through the intricacies of Amira L'akum on Shabbos and benefitting…

1
Color War Breakout! 16:11

1M ago16:11

16:11

Non-Kosher TakeoutLet's take a walk through a typical camp kitchen together with Rabbi Moshe Kaufman, Kashrus Administrator for KVH Kosher ~ Rabbinical Council of New England and Co-chairman of the AKO Camp Kashrus Committee. As we walk through, he explains to us the common potential problems that may crop up.View it in its entirety at https://www.…

1
Canoe Pass Inspection? 14:07

2M ago14:07

14:07

The AKO Camp InitiativeBack for it's second year, the AKO Kashrus Camp Initiative is here to help any camp that wants set itself up to suceed at serving kosher all summer long. Rabbi Moshe Kaufman, Kashrus Administrator for KVH Kosher ~ Rabbinical Council of New England and Co-chairman of the AKO Camp Kashrus Committee explains to us in depth, the …

1
It’s Grill Pre-Season 8:50

2M ago8:50

8:50

With summers arrival, grilling season has officially begun. What is the deal with pre-seasoned cast iron pans. Can they be used as is? Do they need to be kashered? If so, how does one kasher? Let's listen to Rabbi Dovid Cohen - Administrative Rabbinical Coordinator at the cRc, as he navigates with us through this sugya.View it in its entirety at ht…

1
Cholov Yisroel 16:28

2M ago16:28

16:28

On The Cow CarouselShavuos has become synonymous with milchigs. But what does it take to set up a system to ensure cholov yisroel milk? Let’s take a walk with Rabbi Tzvi Rosen - Kashrus Administrator at the STAR-K through a dairy farm. As we take this virtual tour he explains all the processes and systems to ensure the highest level of kashrus.View…

1
Vegan Certified vs. Kosher Certified 9:58

3M ago9:58

9:58

While there are many things that overlap between vegan products and kosher products, one does not guarantee the other. Let's listen in to Rabbi Sholom H. Adler - Senior Kashrus Administrator at Earth Kosher as he explains the nuances differentiating the two.View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/vegan-certified-vs-kosher-c…

1
America Runs On Dunkin’ 13:22

3M ago13:22

13:22

But is it kosher?A walkthrough of your local Dunkin’ Donuts store from a kashrus perspective with R’ Sholem Fishbane, Director of Kashrus for the Chicago Rabbinical Council and Executive Director of AKO.View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/america-runs-on-dunkinTo Sponsor An Episode: https://pay.banquest.com/kashrusaware…

1
Product Of Israel 15:44

3M ago15:44

15:44

מצוות התלויות בארץIt happens all the time that we hear about a specific store selling produce from Eretz Yisroel. Most of us stay away from that produce to avoid problems with Trumos and Maasros. Well not anymore! Rabbi Dovid Cohen - Administrative Rabbinical Coordinator at the cRc, walks us through the Mitzvah of separating Trumos and Maasros clea…

1
How To Kasher A Tank 12:51

3M ago12:51

12:51

If you’re wondering why a tank would need to be kashered, you probably aren’t thinking of a storage tank. Storage tanks are those massive white round buildings you often pass on the highway, and have probably wondered what they are. Let’s listen to Rabbi Yochanan Schnall - a Rabbinic Coordinator at the cRc as he explains the processes involved in k…

1
Potayto, Potahto 11:12

4M ago11:12

11:12

It’s All A Matter Of PerspectivePotatoes. A staple for Pesach in most homes. Let’s listen in to Rabbi Avraham Juravel - Rabbinic Coordinator at the OU, and the chief Rabbi of Idaho Falls, as he talks about potatoes and the kashrus related issues.View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/potayto-potahtoTo Sponsor An Episode: h…

1
Yahrtzeit of Rabbi Leifer, kibbud Av, gebrukts cake and shehakol cake in hilchos seuda and kiddush 39:13

4M ago39:13

39:13

By Rabbi Eli Markowitz

1
Intentional Attention 13:05

4M ago13:05

13:05

Lishmah We Must MentionIn Part 2 of our matzah baking episode, we listen to Rabbi Dovid Cohen - Administrative Rabbinical Coordinator at the cRc explains to us how to achieve the obligation of having your matzos baked with the right intentions, lishmah. To what extent? How do we achieve this? Who can bake the matzos? All these questions and more.Vi…

1
Kibbud Av V'eim part 2 Several halachos, mussar, and who pays for the services provided? 38:41

4M ago38:41

38:41

By Rabbi Eli Markowitz

1
Knead For Speed 17:26

4M ago17:26

17:26

Baking MatzahLet’s listen in to a fascinating conversation with Rabbi Dovid Cohen - Administrative Rabbinical Coordinator at the cRc as he walks us through the matzah baking process in great detail. A step by step explanation of the process explaining where there may be potential problems of letting the dough sit, without being worked on.View it in…

1
Kibbud Av V'eim part 1 38:05

5M ago38:05

38:05

By Rabbi Eli Markowitz

1
Hidden Hazards 15:22

5M ago15:22

15:22

Chometz In Disguise.“What can be wrong with…?” That’s a question that is fairly common when it comes to kashrus. But when it comes to Pesach, the answer to that question changes drastically. Let’s listen in to Rabbi Avraham Juravel who is a Rabbinic Coordinator at the OU, as well as being in charge of their ingredient division, who explains in grea…

1
Heavenly Hamantashen 10:08

5M ago10:08

10:08

The Forbidden FormulaBack in the day, Hamantashen were much simpler. There were a few basic fillings, such as raspberry jam and poppy seed. Today it is much more complicated, as they can range from dairy caramel filled Hamantashen, to pulled beef stuffed Hamantashen. How does this affect the Halacha? Do they need special simanim? Let’s listen to Ra…

1
Liquid Logistics 16:32

5M ago16:32

16:32

In It For The Long HaulMost commercial products nowadays have some sort of liquid in their ingredient panel. The complexities of transporting liquids and keeping them kosher while being transported, falls directly under the watchful eye of Rabbi Yochanan Schnall - a Rabbinic Coordinator at the cRc in charge of their transportation industry. Let’s l…

1
Hydroponic Quest 14:40

6M ago14:40

14:40

To Eradicate The PestsHydroponics. Aeroponics. Vertical farming. These are just a few of the terms of recent innovations in the world of agriculture. How do these various methods of planting produce affect the levels of infestation? Let’s listen to Rabbi Sholom Tendler - Kashrus Administrator at the STAR-K as he addresses these timely issues and mo…

1
Oven Overhaul 17:37

6M ago17:37

17:37

Shabbos Mode RedefinedHow has Shabbos mode been refined to avoid the newer shailos that have arisen? Let’s listen to Rabbi Tzvi Ortner - Director of the Technology Department at the OU as he walks us through ovens and other appliances.View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/oven-overhaulJoin a Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Gr…

1
‎כי אשמרה שבת 21:39

6M ago21:39

21:39

The Shabbos Keeper.Technology has come a long way since the refrigerator has been invented. Together with the advancements in technology come many complications in Halacha. Whether it involves sensors, compressors, defrosters, or the good old shaila of the light bulb, a group of Rabbonim have strived to find a heter to all of these shailos that is …

1
There’s An App For That 13:27

6M ago13:27

13:27

Some topics need to be revisited as technology evolves. Food delivery service apps such as door-dash and Uber-eats definitely fall in that category. So even though we already covered the basics last year, let’s find out what’s new in this field with Rabbi Sholom Tendler a Kashrus Administrator at the STAR-K.View it in its entirety at https://www.ka…

1
Vinegar Vignettes 10:52

7M ago10:52

10:52

Purity In A Sour WorldThe key ingredient in all vinegars is wine. The key ingredient in most wines are grapes. For this reason many vinegars are very kosher sensitive. Let’s listen in to Rabbi Dovid Cohen - Administrative Rabbinical Coordinator at the cRc as he details each type of vinegar and their kashrus concerns.View it in its entirety at https…

1
Yoshon Bytes 22:58

7M ago22:58

22:58

A Guide To Chodosh In The Digital AgeFor those who are makpid on eating only yoshon, it always involved a paperback booklet that listed various products and at what date they started being problematic. Let’s listen to Rabbi Sholom Tendler - Kashrus Administrator at the Star-K as he guides us through advancements in technology, and what that means f…

1
Turning Up The Heat 15:44

7M ago15:44

15:44

Bishul Yisrael SefaradiOne of the biggest and often the most complicated chumros that sefardim are makpid on is the criteria to have bishul yisrael. Let’s listen in to R’ Hayim Arking - Administrator at the JSOR as he explains the complexities of restaurants dealing with bishul yisrael Sefaradi requests, and the ingenious ideas that are implemented…

1
Mouthwatering Mazza 9:45

7M ago9:45

9:45

Nusach SefardMost kashrus agencies rely on the psak of the Rem”a for ashkenazim, because that is the base of their clientele. Let’s listen in to R’ Hayim Arking - Administrator at the JSOR as he explains the complexities of certifying kashrus according to the Mechaber. He goes through one by one, the various challenges that need to be addressed to …

1
Olive Beis 9:41

7M ago9:41

9:41

Kashrus 101Sometimes when we think of certain products we assume that they are very basic simple products, so what can go wrong with them. We will focus on 2 such products today, olives, and olive oil. Rabbi Menachem Fishbane - Rabbinic Coordinator at Kof-K explains to us what goes into these 2 products.View it in its entirety at https://www.kashru…

1
Risky Whiskey 11:35

8M ago11:35

11:35

חמץ שעבר עליו הפסחChometz? Who’s thinking about Chometz now? Pesach isn’t for another 4 months. For some Mashgichim like Rabbi Akiva Niehaus (Director of Kashrus Operations at the cRc and the Rabbinic Coordinator of the Liquor Industry at the cRc), it is a year round worry. If the owner of a liquor company is Jewish, there can be some serious conce…

1
Breaking Bread 11:06

8M ago11:06

11:06

Croutons, Bagel & Pita ChipsIn this final segment of our Brachos series Rabbi Dovid Heber - Kashrus Administrator at Star-K breaks down the various breads that aren’t necessarily homatzi once they are in their final stage.View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/breaking-breadJoin a Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Group for educ…

1
Spiritual Spirits 7:33

8M ago7:33

7:33

Can Alcohol Be Avodah Zara?What’s the possible connection between alcohol and avodah zara? From Saké which plays an integral part in Japanese culture to Trappist beers created in monasteries by monks, Rabbi Akiva Niehaus - Director of Kashrus Operations at the cRc and the Rabbinic Coordinator of the Liquor Industry at the cRc discusses the various …

1
Melted Gelt 9:56

8M ago9:56

9:56

Unwrapping the World of ChocolateIs it true that chocolate factories are sometimes kashered with molten chocolate? Is chocolate labeled dairy equipment, truly dairy free? Let’s find out the answers in this fascinating conversation with Rabbi Dovid Oppenheimer, Rabbinic Coordinator at the cRc.View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.c…

1
Kosher Menu 6:10

9M ago6:10

6:10

At A Non-Kosher VenueHave you ever been to a hotel for an event, or for a Shabbos program? Did you ever think about the details on how the kitchen becomes kosher? Kashering a non-kosher kitchen is a very complicated process, yet it is done very often. Let’s listen to Rabbi Aaron Mendelson from Kosher Services, as he explains what the consumer shoul…

1
Holy Stoli 4:45

9M ago4:45

4:45

Kosher CocktailsMany cocktails use vodka or rum as their base. While these 2 alcoholic drinks are seemingly innocuous, occasionally they can be distilled from problematic ingredients. Let’s hear from Rabbi Akiva Niehaus - Director of Kashrus Operations at the cRc and the Rabbinic Coordinator of the Liquor Industry at the cRc what to look out for.Vi…

1
Blended Blessings 11:11

9M ago11:11

11:11

What’s The Main Ingredient?Let’s listen in to Rabbi Dovid Heber - Kashrus Administrator at Star-K as he walks us through the complicated sugyos of ikar and tafel in regards to Brachos.View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/blended-blessingsJoin a Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Group for educational content and kashrus updates…

1
The Knead For A Mashgiach 12:15

9M ago12:15

12:15

Challah Edition.Ever wondered how things are done on a commercial scale? What’s the process of taking challah for an entire bakery? Does everything in a bakery need hafrashas challah? These questions and more, answered by Rabbi Dovid Oppenheimer, Rabbinic Coordinator at the cRc.View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/the-kn…

1
For The Saké of Heaven 10:34

10M ago10:34

10:34

Saké, also referred to as Japanese rice wine, is an alcoholic beverage of Japanese origin made by fermenting rice that has been polished to remove the bran. Let’s listen to Rabbi Akiva Niehaus, certified saké sommelier and Director of Kashrus Operations at the cRc and the Rabbinic Coordinator of the Liquor Industry at the cRc, as he walks us throug…

1
Cryptic Crispix 8:40

10M ago8:40

8:40

What's the Proper Bracha?Let’s listen to Rabbi Dovid Heber - Kashrus Administrator at Star-K as he does a deep analysis on one of the most complicated cereals in terms of its correct Bracha: Crispix. View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/cryptic-crispixJoin a Let’s Talk Kashrus WhatsApp Group for educational content and k…

1
A Bowlful of Blessings: 14:49

10M ago14:49

14:49

Cereal EditionAlthough not directly related to kashrus, the kashrus agencies are the ones who can help us figure out exact ingredients in products. Let’s listen in to Rabbi Dovid Heber as he guides us through various breakfast cereals and their proper brochos. View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/a-bowlful-of-blessingsJo…

1
Exploring The Milky Way 8:04

11M ago8:04

8:04

Is Milchigs Better? One of the more common assumptions people mistakenly make, is that dairy products are easier to certify than meat. How many times have you heard someone say “I’ll just have the breakfast at this establishment. Their hechsher isn’t the greatest, but it’s just milchigs. What can be the problem?” Let’s listen in to Rabbi Sholem Fis…

1
Don’t Judge A Cook By Its Cover 10:07

11M ago10:07

10:07

Shopping in a kosher supermarket is not necessarily a stamp of approval on everything sold inside. A cookbook displaying raspberries does not vouch that they are free from infestation. Many times we subconsciously associate things that we buy as being kosher. Rabbi Yosef Wikler, the editor of Kashrus Magazine, walks us through various situations wh…

1
Crawling Cuisine 12:58

12M ago12:58

12:58

The Uninvited GuestsWhy are there so many bugs in produce? Is this a new problem? How come there was never such issues 100 years ago? If my grandparents ate strawberries why can’t I? All these questions and more, answered by Rabbi Yosef Wikler, editor of Kashrus Magazine, who has seen these issues come and go over the last 50 years.View it in its e…

1
Symbol of Faith 15:33

12M ago15:33

15:33

Who Can I Trust?With 1,493 different Kashrus organizations all over the world, how can someone know who to trust? Let’s listen in to Rabbi Yosef Wikler who has been collecting data on the various organizations for over 40 years, for some guidance on whom to trust. More information can be found on his website www.kashrusmagazine.comView it in its en…

1
Liquid Gold 8:42

12M ago8:42

8:42

Made In MexicoWhether you drink your tequila straight, or you do the whole ritual with the lime and salt, it’s worth finding out the kashrus of tequila. Rabbi Akiva Niehaus - Director of Kashrus Operations at the cRc and the Rabbinic Coordinator of the Liquor Industry at the cRc, goes in depth to explain the variations of tequila.View it in its ent…

1
Vintage Whisky 14:23

1y ago14:23

14:23

With A Sherry On Top. A closer look at the complexities of all types of whiskies and bourbon with Rabbi Akiva Niehaus - Director of Kashrus Operations at the cRc and the Rabbinic Coordinator of the Liquor Industry at the cRc.View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/vintage-whiskyCheck out the cRc’s liquor list on their websi…

1
Starbucks: Caffeine On Ice 18:13

1y ago18:13

18:13

Iced Tea. Frappuccino. Cold Brew. Ice Shaken Espresso. These are just a few of the items on Starbucks cold drinks menu. Let’s explore the kashrus status of these drinks and others with R’ Sholem Fishbane, Director of Kashrus for the Chicago Rabbinical Council and Executive Director of AKO as he breaks down the menu for us in this fourth and final i…

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