Answer by Rabbi Chaim Hillel Raskin – Moreh Hora’ah at Beis Horaa in Rechovot, Israel:
Any kosher food that could have been switched by a non-Jew for similar food which is not kosher is prohibited midrabanan, unless it has a distinguishing mark (siman) or someone guarded it (shomer).[1]
What constitutes a siman? Any distinguishing mark which would set it apart from other similar pieces. Examples include a unique cut of the meat or special packaging.[2]
What is considered guarding? If a Jewish adult or mature child[3] is present, even if he walks in and out of the room (nichnas v’yotzie), the non-Jew will be afraid to switch it since the Jew may enter at any moment.
The Jew may even leave for extended periods of time, provided that the non-Jew doesn’t know that he went for a while. However, if the non-Jew is given a time frame when the Jew certainly won’t be around, this deterrent is no longer present.[4]
Some poskim write that lechatchila one should not leave for more than 24 minutes without a siman.[5] Whether a video camera suffices is a subject for itself
When there is no benefit for the non-Jew in exchanging the kosher meat for non-kosher meat (i.e. non-kosher food is readily available and the quality is the same), it is permissible to step out, and we need not be concerned that he intended to cause the Jew to sin[6] (though some are stringent as a chumra[7]).
Need we be concerned that the non-Jew used a kosher pot to cook non-kosher food for himself?[8]
Poskim say that if the non-Jew is not allowed to use the pots they are permissible if the non-Jew is afraid that the Jew may show up or find out.[9] However, with a housekeeper who has the authority to cook (over a flame kindled by a Jew so that it will not be bishul akum), one should not leave pots without protection.[10]
Some add that in a Jewish home where there is only kosher food we need not be concerned that the non-Jew went out to acquire non-kosher food.[11]
In conclusion, this situation would be permissible for multiple reasons since: (1) The non-Jew doesn’t know when the Jew is returning; (2) The non-Jew has nothing to gain by exchanging the chicken; (3) The chicken was prepared as a dish which can be distinguished.
REFERENCES:
1. שו”ע יו”ד סי’ קי”ח ס”י וש”ך שם סקל”ב
2. ראה יו”ד סי’ ס”ג ס”א ,פלתי שם סק”ב ,ולהעיר שבמשלוח או לקנות בסופרמרקט כללי צריך ב’ סימנים ראה יו”ד סי’ קי”ח ס”א וס”ו.
3. ש”ך יו”ד שם סקל”ג. והוא בן ט’ או בן ו’ חריף – ראה בין ישראל לנכרי סי’ כ”ד הערה ט’.
4. ראה ש”ך שם סקל”ד “שלא נודע שסגר הדלת”
5. ראה רמ”א יו”ד סי’ קכ”ט ס”א ושוע”ר סי’ תנ”ט ס”י ונקטנו השיעור הארוך. וראה ש”ך שם סקל”ב.
6. שו”ע יו”ד סי’ קי”ח ס”י.
7. מהרי”ט ח”ב חי”ד תשו’ ג’. שערי דעה סק”י.
8. שו”ע חו”מ שם סי”ב וראה רמ”א יו”ד סי’ קכ”ב ס”ט.
9. ספר הכשרות פרק ט’ הערה שכ”ו ע”פ שו”ת אבני ישפה ח”ב סי’ נ”ט וראה ש”ך יו”ד סי’ קכ”ב סק”ט שהעולם נהגו היתר בגלל שהישראל יוצא ונכנס.
10. וראה אג”מ יו”ד ח”א סי’ ס”א שיש להקל אחרי 24 שעות שאינו בן יומו. וראה רמ”א יו”ד סי’ קכ”ב ס”ט. וראה אבני ישפה ח”ב ע’ 147 כמה סניפים להקל.
11. ראה כף החיים יו”ד סי’ קי”ח סק”י בהשאירו בבית.
Published in Lmaan Yishmeu by Merkaz Anash
It’s not a matter of trust. It’s a matter of halacha.
You shouldn’t be “trusting” them in every other circumstance either. Like leaving your child with a non-Jewish nanny who might innocently take your child places where a Jew shouldn’t be. Or give a crying, hungry child in the park some of her own food to calm him. Please speak to a Rav.
Why should we distrust a non-Jew, even someone we trust in every other circumstance?
How many people will be foolish enough to leave a goy alone in their home because of this post? There are so many variables. So what if not everything is exactly as described here? If for instance the goy knows you went till pick up your child from school and won’t be back for at least half an hour? You have not mevushal wine in the kitchen?
Please no one use this article as a heter. You must ask a rav your own particular shaylah.
I am not a Rav but I believe that regarding BY at least according to us, any involvement in the food By a Jew is sufficient. so we would not need to worry about Mixed Taste Of Non BY.
Very clear and precise, the behind the scenes as well as the bottom line. I’d love to see more of such articles.
Thank you Rabbi Raskin!
How about leaving meat/chicken to defrost before it is prepared as a dish?
What about bishul akum with kosher food
Don’t we have to worry if the housekeeper is left alone in the house ans there is no fire
That she can cook something for herself (or fry or bake)
With kosher ingredients,with your pots and pans
Then she cleans them without your knowledge
And than you are cooking in pots and pans,of bishul akum