Shulchan Aruch - Non-Jews' Food, Drink, and Utensils

Note: It should be stressed that the statements in a summary must not be interpreted as halachic rulings no matter how definitively they are worded. When such rulings are needed a qualified rabbi must be consulted.

Part II: Yoreh De'ah Chapter 10a - NON-JEWS' FOOD, DRINK, AND UTENSILS

It is forbidden to eat bread (made from any of the five species of grain: wheat, barley, oats, rye, and spelt) that was baked by a non-Jew for his own consumption, unless comparable Jewish bread is not available or a Jew was involved in the baking or in making or maintaining the fire (112:1-13, 16;113:3). Mixtures in which such bread is a minority are permitted (112:14-15).

It is forbidden to eat food that was cooked intentionally by a non-Jew if the food is of a type that is not usually eaten raw and is sometimes served at state dinners, unless a Jew contributed to the cooking or the fire (113:1,4-10,12-15). Mixtures that contain such food are permitted unless that food is the main ingredient (113:2); see 113:11 on cases of doubt. If such food was cooked in a utensil water must be boiled in it (for a pottery utensil: three times) before it may be used for kosher food (113:16).

It is forbidden to drink common types of intoxicating beverages, except for those made from grain or honey, if they were made by a non-Jew and are being drunk at a place where people meet to drink (114:1,3); but other beverages such as oil, honey, and hot water are permitted (114:7; see 123:26) unless it is possible that they contain wine or forbidden ingredients (114:4-6,8-12).

It is forbidden to use milk milked by a non-Jew if it is possible that the milk of an unkosher animal was mixed with it (115:1). It is forbidden to eat cheese made by a non-Jew if it is possible that it was made with unkosher rennet (115:2). It is customary in some places not to eat butter made by a non-Jew (115:3), but mixtures containing such butter and utensils in which it was cooked are permitted (115:1).

If utensils made primarily from metal or glass, of types that are used with food, are acquired from a non-Jew, even if they are new they must be immersed (see Ch.15) before they are used with food, but if they were used before they were immersed the food does not become forbidden (120:1,4- 11,16; on trustworthiness see 14-15).

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