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Star-K 2012 Passover Update - Israeli grown fruits or vegetables
March 28, 2012
Before eating Israeli grown fruits or vegetables, one must separate teruma and ma’aser. When separating the ma’aser, one transfers the kedusha of the ma’aser sheni onto a coin. That coin must eventually be disposed of, so that no one will use it for anything else. For example, one can throw it into the sea or bang it until it is no longer usable. If one still has the coin in his possession, it must be disposed of on erev Pesach in the 4th and 7th years of the shemitta cycle (Jewish years divisible by 7 with a remainder of 4 or no remainder).
This year, 5772, is the 4th year of the cycle, and these coins should therefore be discarded on erev Pesach (If one subsequently separated ma’aser sheni on the intermediate days of Pesach, a rabbi should be consulted.)
For general information on separating teruma and ma’aser see our article click here.
Consumer Alerts and Information
March 15, 2012
Star-K 2012 Passover Update
In our 2012 Passover Guide (available here) we write:
SOY MILK, RICE MILK and ALMOND MILK
Soy Milk and Rice Milk are kitniyos and possibly contain chometz. Under normal circumstances one may not consume them on Pesach. The following soy/rice milk products are chometz free and may be consumed by someone who is allowed to eat kitniyos (e.g. one who is ill)(see Passover Guide for list). It is recommended that those who require these products ideally purchase them before Pesach.
We have just received word that there will be a Kosher for Passover Almond Milk produced by Lieber’s that is under the certification of Rabbi Weismandel. This is preferable to the soy and rice milk we list in our Passover Guide which are kitniyos. It is also preferable to the Almond milk we list which is only for cholim since it may be made on chometz equipment. In Baltimore, the new Liebers brand Kosher for Passover Almond Milk is available at Seven Mile Market. The Liebers Almond Milk can also be purchased online.
Star-K 2012 Passover Guide
March 15, 2012
The Star-K 2012 Passover Directory is now available as a free download.
The Star-K 2012 Passover Guide which also includes the Medicine and Cosmetic List prepared by Rabbi Gershon Bess is available at local Hebrew Bookstores or online.
Consumer Alerts and Information
March 09, 2012
On March 7, 2012, we sent out the following alert:
CHEF'S QUALITY brand Grape Vine Leaves Stuffed with Rice manufactured in Turkey, bears an unauthorized Star-K. This product is not kosher. Corrective action has been taken.
After continuing investigation, we discovered the product was mislabeled. It is not manufactured in Turkey. It is actually made in Bulgaria with Hashacha Temidis. The product is, in fact, Star-K pareve, bishul Yisroel.
Consumer Alerts and Information
March 07, 2012
CHEF'S QUALITY brand Grape Vine Leaves Stuffed with Rice manufactured in Turkey, bears an unauthorized Star-K. This product is not kosher. Corrective action has been taken.