Buying non-Kosher Gifts

Question: I want to buy gifts for our non-Jewish clients. Can I buy them non-Kosher food and wine?
Answer: The Shulchan Aruch (YD 117:1) writes that one must not do business with any food which is forbidden to eat mideoraisa. The Rema writes that one must not, therefore, buy such food for one’s non-Jewish workers as one stands to benefit from giving such gifts (See Kaf Hachaim YD 117:28).
The Taz (YD 117:2), however, allows buying such food for workers, arguing that such gifts do not constitute business (See Shach YD 117:3).
The Shulchan Aruch (YD 87:1) writes that meat and milk that were cooked together are assur behanaah, forbidden to benefit from. Therefore, if one received such a food product, one may not even pass it on to a non-Jew. The Rema writes that this does not apply to foods that are assur miderabanan. Thus, one may buy food that is bishul akum, etc.
Nonetheless, the Kaf Hachaim (YD 117:52) writes that even those poskim who are stringent would allow buying gifts for non-Jews. Likewise, the Aruch Hashulchan (YD 117:19) writes that one does not need to spend more money in order to buy Kosher food.
The Aruch Hashulchan (YD 117:28) and Kaf Hachaim (YD 117:47) write that if one received non-Kosher meat, one may pass it on to a non-Jew.
The Rema (YD 123:1) writes that as there is a machlokes about the status of non-Kosher wine (stam yeinam), one should not benefit from it unless one will make a substantial financial loss. Therefore, if one receives such a bottle, they may rely on the lenient authorities and pass it on.
In conclusion, one may buy non-Kosher food to give to non-Jewish people, though one must not buy meat and milk cooked together or non-Kosher wine. One who receives such wine or meat may pass it on, though.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Beracha on Tasting Food

Question: I frequently taste food while cooking. Should I recite a beracha? Answer: Rambam (Berachos 1:2) states that one is not required to recite a beracha before tasting food. However, Rabbeinu Chananel (quoted by Tosefos, Berachos 14a) holds that one must recite a beracha , unless they spit the food out (see Tur OC 210:2). The Shulchan Aruch (OC 210:2) rules that if one tastes less than a revi’is of food and spits it out, they do not need to say a beracha . There is, however, a difference of opinion as to whether a beracha should be recited if the food is swallowed. The Mishna Berura (210:19) explains that the Shulchan Aruch follows the opinion of Rambam, meaning that one would not recite a beracha regardless of whether the food is swallowed. The Rema adds that safek berachos lekula , in cases of doubt as to whether a beracha is necessary, the lenient approach is followed, as most berachos are derabanan . However, the Mishna Berura (ibid., Shaar Hatziyun 210:30) notes...
Read more

Wait Until Nacht to Count the Omer

Question: When is the best time to count the omer if I am not davening maariv with a minyan at nacht ? Answer: The Beis Yosef (OC 489:1) highlights a machlokes regarding whether one may count the omer during bein hashemashos (the time between shekia , sunset, and nacht , nightfall). The Rosh, (Pesachim 10:40), Tur (OC 489:1) and Tosafos (Menachos 66a) argue that since counting the omer is miderabanan nowadays, it is permissible to count from shekia . On the other hand, Rambam (Temidin Umusafin 7:22) and the Ran (Pesachim 28a) assert that one should wait until nacht . Following this reasoning, the Mishna Berura (489:14) states that, ideally, one should wait until nacht to count (see Aruch Hashulchan OC 489:7). Other poskim , including the Bach (OC 489:1), Shulchan Aruch Harav (OC 489:12) and R’ Ovadia Yosef (Yechave Daas 1:23) write that it is acceptable to count after shekia . The Shulchan Aruch (OC 489:1) advises that the omer should be counted after maariv . The Mishna Beru...
Read more

Omitting Tachanun on a Yahrzeit

Question: I was davening shacharis in a shul where they skipped tachanun, though most people didn’t know why. When I asked the chazzan afterwards, he explained that it was a tzaddik’s yartzheit . Should I have recited tachanun ? Answer: The Shulchan Aruch (OC 131:6) lists various days on which tachanun is omitted due to the simcha associated   with the day, such as Rosh Chodesh and Chanuka . The Mishmeres Shalom (12:4) and Minhag Yisrael Torah (OC 131:3) record a minhag to omit tachanun on the yahrzeit of a tzaddik. They cite Rashi (Yevamos 122a), who notes that it was common practise for talmidei chachamim to gather together to learn on the yahrzeit of the amaoraim, referring to such days as regalim, auspicious occasions. Nonetheless, R' Ovadia Yosef (Yabia Omer OC 3:11:9) strongly opposes this practice, asserting that tachanun should not be omitted unless there is a solid halachic basis. If one were to follow this minhag consistently, tachanun would never b...
Read more