Rabbi Yisroel Meir Paretzky
Rabbinic Coordinator and Group Leader, OU Kashruth Division

Factory equipment is always a hot topic around the OU Kashruth office. A kosher apparatus poses no problem, of course…but how does the OU cope with devices used for non-kosher products? Join Rabbi Yisroel Paretzky, a Group Leader with OU Kashruth, as he discusses a surprising policy: using equipment in a non-kosher factory for kosher products without kashering first! Tune in and find out the how’s and why’s of this apparent enigma… If you have questions or comments for Rabbi Paretzky please send them to: (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

   Dial-up | Cable/DSL | Tell a Friend | 0 Comments

  Download this mp3
You must be registered and be logged in to download this mp3 file. If you have not registered you can register here.

Rabbi David Bistricer
Rabbinic Coordinator, OU Kashruth Division

“What will the neighbors think” is often immaterial—but sometimes it’s of major importance. Join Rabbi David Bistricer, a Rabbinic Coordinator with OU Kosher, as he explores the intersection between kashrus and Maris Ayin (the commandment to preserve one’s reputation as a faithful Jew). Could eating a soy burger with cheese be a problem? How about a steak with parve margarine? Listen in, and find out when “looking good” overrides “eating well”!

   Dial-up | Cable/DSL | Tell a Friend | 0 Comments

  Download this mp3
You must be registered and be logged in to download this mp3 file. If you have not registered you can register here.

Rabbi David Bistricer
Rabbinic Coordinator, OU Kashruth Division

“What will the neighbors think” is often immaterial—but sometimes it’s of major importance. Join Rabbi David Bistricer, a Rabbinic Coordinator with OU Kosher, as he explores the intersection between kashrus and Maris Ayin (the commandment to preserve one’s reputation as a faithful Jew). Could eating a soy burger with cheese be a problem? How about a steak with parve margarine? Listen in, and find out when “looking good” overrides “eating well”!

   Dial-up | Cable/DSL | Tell a Friend | 0 Comments

  Download this mp3
You must be registered and be logged in to download this mp3 file. If you have not registered you can register here.

Rabbi Avrohom Gordimer
Rabbinic Coordinator, OU Kashruth

Decades ago, the great sage Rav Moshe Feinstein, Zatzal, issued his permit to consume milk sold by American dairy companies. On what was this courageous ruling based? And is it still applicable today? Join Rabbi Avrohom Gordimer, a Rabbinic Coordinator with OU Kashruth possessing vast expertise in the dairy industry, for a clear and thorough – and surprising! – discourse on what’s “moo” with milk. If you have questions or comments for Rabbi Gordimer please send them to: (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

   Dial-up | Cable/DSL | Tell a Friend | 0 Comments

  Download this mp3
You must be registered and be logged in to download this mp3 file. If you have not registered you can register here.

Rabbi Eli Gersten
Rabbinic Coordinator, OU Kashruth

Colostrum is a special kind of milk, chock-full of protein and very beneficial for infants…but is it kosher? Join Rabbi Eli Gersten, the Rabbinic Coordinator with OU Kashruth charged with recording OU P’sak and Policy, for a clear and thorough discourse that includes such topics as: Why is milk kosher in the first place? Must colostrum be Cholov Yisroel? What is OU policy? These words of Torah will be “moo-sic” to your ears… If you have questions or comments for Rabbi Gersten please send them to: (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

   Dial-up | Cable/DSL | Tell a Friend | 0 Comments

  Download this mp3
You must be registered and be logged in to download this mp3 file. If you have not registered you can register here.

Rabbi Yaakov Luban
Executive Rabbinic Coordinator, OU Kashruth

How sophisticated is the local Vaad certifying that delicious calzone and those yummy buffalo wings? Join Rabbi Yaakov Luban, Executive Rabbinic Coordinator of OU Kashruth and a specialist in communal kashrus issues, in this rare peek behind–the–scenes. Rabbi Luban discusses kashrus history and kashrus recommendations—and you won’t want to miss, “Does politics impact on Kashrus..?” You might be surprised…

   Dial-up | Cable/DSL | Tell a Friend | 0 Comments

  Download this mp3
You must be registered and be logged in to download this mp3 file. If you have not registered you can register here.

Rabbi Yaakov Luban
Executive Rabbinic Coordinator, OU Kashruth

Your local kosher bakery and Chinese restaurant both need kashrus certification. How is it set up? Join Rabbi Yaakov Luban, Executive Rabbinic Coordinator of OU Kashruth and a specialist in communal kashrus issues, as he uses his vast expertise to describe the underpinnings of a Vaad HaKashrus (local kashrus agency). Who participates? How are the responsibilities divided? How do kashrus professionals avoid divisiveness and burn-out? Who sets the standards? Tune in and find out what happens behind-the scenes…

   Dial-up | Cable/DSL | Tell a Friend | 0 Comments

  Download this mp3
You must be registered and be logged in to download this mp3 file. If you have not registered you can register here.

Rabbi Eliyahu Safran
Vice President for Communications and Marketing
OU Kashruth

The emaciated holy man sitting isolated on a mountain-top. The morbidly obese drunkard sprawled again on the barroom floor. Are these the choices faced by a Jew - embrace the material or flee it for Divine communion? The answer is a resounding “NO.” Join Rabbi Eliyahu Safran, OU Kosher’s Vice President -Communications and Marketing, in an articulate and moving exploration of the relationship between body and soul. Redeeming the physical, not blindly shunning or embracing it; tune in and hear this spiritual goal discussed in a sophisticated fashion.

Rabbi Safran is the author of “Meditations at 60: One Person, Under God, Indivisible,” which elaborates on this [“Called to be Different; Called to be Holy – A Meditation on Kashrut”] and related themes. Available from http://www.ktav.org or from the author at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

   Dial-up | Cable/DSL | Tell a Friend | 0 Comments

  Download this mp3
You must be registered and be logged in to download this mp3 file. If you have not registered you can register here.