Reviewed by Rabbi Yair Hoffman for 5tjt.com

Every so often a Sefer comes along that combines remarkably comprehensive research, astounding accuracy, and far-reaching clarity with a fourth element � it sparks intense as well.� Food � A Halachic Analysis by Rabbi Yehudah Spitz (483 pp. by Mosaica Press, 2021) is just such a sefer and more.� It also covers a broad range of complex and important contemporary topics in Kashrus.

Rav Elyashiv zt�l once described Rav Nachum Yavrov zt�l, author of the Divrei Sofrim series on Halacha, that any area that he tackles � his sefer becomes an essential work on that topic.� The same can be said of Rabbi Spitz�s articles.� The work has extensive footnotes, but it is written with a clarity and a precision that even the layreader can thoroughly enjoy it.

Rabbi Spitz�s �Halachic History of Chalav Yisroel� deals extensively with Chalav Yisroel both in the United States and in Eretz Yisroel and reveals that in Eretz Yisroel, there are greater leniencies than in the United States.� His discussion on Chodosh is very enlightening as is his treatment of gelatin, pas palter, overnight onions, and Quinoa.� Rabbi Spitz is not only a master of halacha, but somehow he managed to fully master researching recent history as well.

In Rabbi Spitz�s discussion of the 5 and � hours versus 6 hours of waiting between meat and dairy )p.38), the author gives us an exhaustive list of who rejects the 5 and � hour reading of the Rambam and Meiri � a very useful resource when discussing the minhag with others.� What about the minhag of three hours? Alas, the only source for it, Rabbi Spitz reveals as a misprint � although he also provides theories as to how it developed.� One of these theories is that it was an uneasy compromise between one hour and six hours.�� Rabbi Spitz also reveals to us that the Arizal would follow Mar Ukvah�s father�s practice of waiting a full day in between milk and meat.

TWO CRITIQUES

Although the sefer has a seven page index, it is not nearly what it should be, given the extensive footnotes throughout the work.� Hopefully, the index can be expanded in the next printing.� Doing so would make it an essential work for anyone learning Yore Deah to be applied in the ever-changing world of Kashrus today.� The second critique is that the sefer is so essential it should be printed in Hebrew as well.

Rabbi Spitz is also an essential figure in Ohr Sameach�s Ohr LaGolah program, which trains Rabbonim for positions in Jewish communities across the world.� It is clear to anyone that learns this sefer that its author is a future gadol b�yisroel, if not already.� Both Ohr Sameach and his talmidim are blessed to have him.� The book is available at bookstores throughout the United States.

The reviewer can be reached at [email protected]