Factory Bread in the Aseres Yemei Teshuva

Question: I usually buy commercially baked bread with a hechsher from my local supermarket. Do I need to avoid eating such bread during the aseres yemei teshuva?

Answer: The Mishna (Avoda Zara 35b) teaches that we must not eat pas akum, bread baked by a non-Jew. The Gemara explains that Chazal instituted this in order to prevent assimilation with non-Jews. Tosafos writes that according to the Yerushalmi, the ban on bread was lifted, as it was too restrictive to limit such a staple food.

The Shulchan Aruch (YD 112:2) writes that while one may never buy bread from a non-Jewish ‘home baker’, one may buy from a commercial baker (pas palter) when there is no local Jewish baker. Nonetheless, the Rema (ibid; Toras Chatas 75:1) writes that one may buy pas palter even when there is a local Jewish baker (see Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 38:1; Aruch Hashulchan YD 112:17). Thus, R’ Moshe Feinstein (Igros Moshe YD 2:33) writes that one may eat factory bagels if they prefer them to the local bakery. R’ Ephraim Greenblatt (Rivevos Ephraim 5:596) writes that R’ Moshe Feinstein maintained that bread baked in modern factories can be eaten, and would not even be considered pas palter. Nonetheless, R’ Shmuel Wosner (Shevet Halevi 6:108:6) writes that the Chazon Ish argued that it is preferable to buy from one’s local Jewish baker.

The poskim write that one should be meticulous in their observance during the aseres yemei teshuva (See Baer Heitev OC 603:1). Thus, the Shulchan Aruch (OC 603:1) writes that one who eats pas palter during the year, should refrain from eating it during the aseres yemei teshuva. Seemingly, R’ Moshe Feinstein would allow one to eat commercially baked bread during the aseres yemei teshuva, though others, including R’ Shmuel Wosner would not.

The Aruch Hashulchan (OC 603:2) warns against taking on certain chumros during this time, as doing so may necessitate that they continue observing it. Instead, he urges that one examine their actions and do teshuva.

In conclusion, it is preferable to avoid buying commercially baked bread during the aseres yemei teshuva, though if faced with no choice, one may buy it.

Grinding Coffee on Yom Tov

Question: I usually grind my coffee by hand every morning. Am I allowed to do so on Yom Tov?

Answer: The Shulchan Aruch (OC 495:2) writes that it is assur miderabanan to grind food on Yom Tov, though the Mishna Berura (504:1) notes that according to some poskim it is assur mideoraisa.

The Shulchan Aruch (OC 504:1) writes that one may not use a commercial mill, as that is considered to be uvdin dechol, a mundane, weekday activity. However, one may grind spices on Yom Tov so as to have fresh spices. One may only grind salt with a shinui, as salt does not lose its freshness from one day to the next. Therefore, the Mishna Berura (504:9; Biur Halacha 504:1) writes that one must not grind coffee in a large mill, though one may use a small grinder.

The Rema adds that one should use a shinui when grinding spices, too. Thus, the Mishna Berura (504:19) suggests that when grinding coffee, one could grind the beans straight onto a napkin rather than into a bowl. However, he stresses that one must only grind enough coffee for that day (see Shemiras Shabbos Kehilchasa 7:3).

While the Kaf Hachaim (OC 504:3) follows the Rema, R’ Ovadia Yosef (Yabia Omer OC 4:45:2) follows the Shulchan Aruch and writes that one may grind coffee in a small grinder even without a shinui.

In conclusion, one may grind coffee beans in a coffee grinder on Yom Tov. One should do so with a shinui and ensure that they are not grinding more than enough for that day.

Seeing the Sea

Question: I live in Yerushalayim and I have not seen the sea in over thirty days. I am going to Netanya and will see the sea. What beracha should I say?

Answer: The Mishna (Berachos 54a) teaches that upon seeing the ocean one recites the beracha, ..oseh maase bereishis. When one sees the ‘yam hagadol’, one should recite ..oseh hayam hagadol instead.

The Shulchan Aruch (OC 228:1) writes that ‘yam hagadol’ refers to the Mediterranean. The Mishna Berura (228:2) explains that the Mediterranean is considered great due to its proximity to Eretz Yisrael.

However, the Rosh (Teshuvos 4:4) writes that ‘yam hagadol’ refers to the Atlantic Ocean. The Mishna Berura (ibid.; Shaar Hatziyun 262:2) quotes the Rosh, among other acharonim, and writes, therefore, that one says oseh hayam hagadol upon seeing the Atlantic Ocean (or Pacific Ocean, etc.).

Nonetheless, the Aruch Hashulchan (OC 228:4) and Kaf Hachaim (OC 228:5) write that due to the safek as to which sea is the yam hagadol, one should only ever recite oseh maase bereishis, regardless as to which sea one sees.

R’ Yitzchak Yaakov Weiss (Minchas Yitzchak 1:11) writes that one says oseh hayam hagadol upon seeing the Atlantic Ocean. Upon seeing the Mediterranean, one could say ..oseh maaseh bereishis and then add the words sheasa es hayam hagadol, thereby following the Shulchan Aruch, too (see Halichos Shlomo, Tefilla 23:29).

In conclusion, upon seeing the Mediterranean Sea, one could say ..oseh maaseh bereishis and then add the words sheasa es hayam hagadol.