Compiled by Rabbi Moishe Dovid Lebovits who can be reached at [email protected]

Reviewed by Rabbi Ben-zion Schiffenbauer Shlita

All Piskei Harav Yisrael Belsky Shlita are Reviewed by Harav Yisrael Belsky Shlita

Volume 6 Issue 6

6-23-11

Food in the Hands of a Non-Jew⁵

Generally speaking, any food item which is entrusted or sent⁶ in the hands of a non-Jew requires a seal to ensure that the item was not exchanged.⁷ Items whose consumption is d’oraisa in nature require two seals,⁸ including but not limited to⁹ wine (see footnote),¹⁰ meat, chicken¹¹ and fish.¹² Concerning Pesach, a food which the non-Jew may switch for chametz would require two seals.¹³ However, those foods whose consumption is of d’rabbanan in nature such as cooked wine,¹⁴ milk,¹⁵ cheese,¹⁶ bread (see later on), honey, and oil¹⁷ only require one seal.¹⁸ 

Some explain that the need for two seals is because these items are expensive and the non-Jew might make an effort to exchange it for an inferior product. Therefore, two seals are required as a deterrent.¹⁹ In addition, when there are two seals it would be a bother for the non-Jew to undo them and switch the product, so for d’oraisas we require two seals.²⁰ Wine requires two seals because everyone likes wine and there is a concern of switching it for non-kosher wine.²¹