Best Kashrus Podcasts (2025)

1
Be Like Leibel 5:27

15d ago5:27

5:27

Look At the Leibel Can you rely on a kosher symbol you see online? Sometimes you buy something online, but the product has a different packaging when it arrives at your door. Rabbi Binyamin Berkowitz - Kashrus Administrator at the KOF-K gives us the rundown on what to look out for. View it in its entirety at: https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/b…

1
80. Conjoined Twins and A Tribute to Rav Tendler zt"l - Feat. Rachel Rosensweig 38:26

6d ago38:26

38:26

This is a very special episode for me, in which we discuss my Rebbe, HaGaon HaRav Moshe Dovid Tendler zt"l. We are joined by one of his granddaughters and a longtime colleague of mine, Rachel Rosensweig. She provides a synopsis of the Conjoined Twins ruling he was involved in and speaks more broadly about more personal aspects of Rav Tendler that m…

1
79. Should I Join the Army? A Responsum of Rav Zev Wolf Leiter - Feat. R' Yitzy Tanner 31:35

13d ago31:35

31:35

In this episode we are joined by R' Yitzy Tanner who shares with us a responsum of the Beis Dovid (no. 71) about Kohanim - or any Jewish male - serving in their country's armed forces. We also learn about the author, Rav Zev Wolf Leiter zt"l, who was a local rabbi in Pittsburgh, but who earned an international reputation.…

1
78. Education vs. Excommunication: The Rashba Combats a Communal Rupture - Feat. Rabbi Daniel Korobkin 31:43

19d ago31:43

31:43

We are joined by Rabbi Daniel Korobkin, medieval scholar and the translator/annotator of the Feldheim edition of Rabbi Yehuda HaLevi’s Kuzari, who takes us into the story of a community in arms over whether and when to permit the study of secular knowledge. By looking at several responsa of the Rashba (1:415-417; Kisvei Yad no. 150) we get a glimps…

1
Shell-Shocked By Egg-flation 11:03

29d ago11:03

11:03

Is It Fowl Play? Have you been noticing more blood spots lately? Let’s get the real scoop what’s going on lately with the eggs together with Rabbi Sholem Fishbane - Kashrus Administrator at the Chicago Rabbinical Council, and Executive Director of AKO. View it in its entirety at: https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/shell-shocked-by-egg-flation To…

1
Shelf Awareness 17:18

1M ago17:18

17:18

Post-Pesach Shopping Secrets Where can I buy chometz? Where is it problematic? Rabbi Yakov Teichman - Rabbinic Coordinator at the OK, gives us the full scoop. View it in its entirety at: https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/shelf-awareness Download the AKO post-pesach list below, or at https://www.akokosher.org/pesach To Sponsor An Episode: https:…

1
Don’t Toss That Sauce 6:41

2M ago6:41

6:41

Just Yet… Many people won't sell chometz gamur. Does that mean i need to throw out a closed bottle of ketchup? Rabbi Yakov Teichman - Rabbinic Coordinator at the OK, helps us decipher those hard to read ingredient panels. View it in its entirety at: https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/don-t-toss-that-sauce To Sponsor An Episode: https://pay.banqu…

1
77. A Distillation of the (Pesach) Kashrus Industry - Feat. Rabbi Yehoshua Domosh 37:15

2M ago37:15

37:15

Can I drink beer and Scotch on Pesach? Don't get your hopes up just yet, but Rabbi Yehoshua Domosh, a trained Kashrus professional, takes us through some fascinating halachic analysis (Responsa of Rivash, no. 255) about why distilled alcoholic beverages might not be so bad afterall - and also why an innocuous, unflavored seltzer may indeed have som…

1
76. A Seder From Afar: The COVID Seder...Five Years Later - Feat. Rabbi Yehuda Halpert 43:42

2M ago43:42

43:42

Rabbi Yehuda Halpert takes us 5 years back to the COVID Zoom Seder controversy, contrasts the different rabbinic responsa, and unpacks their significance for the post-pandemic era. Stay tuned for his upcoming book: Speaking to an Empty Shul: Timeless Lessons from Unprecedented Times (Mosaica Press, 2025).…

1
Wok Smarter, Not Harder 9:07

2M ago9:07

9:07

Labeled In China Part 2 of our travels to China with Rabbi Binyamin Berkowitz - Kashrus Administrator at the KOF-K, focuses on the labeling aspect of Chinese products. View it in its entirety at: https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/wok-smarter-not-harder To Sponsor An Episode: https://pay.banquest.com/kashrusawareness Join the Let’s Talk Kashrus …

1
75. Kehuna for Sale? The Problematic Purchase of a Priestly Pedigree - Feat. Rabbi Ariel Rackovsky 37:53

3M ago37:53

37:53

Rabbi Ariel Rackovsky shares with us a whimsical, yet real, case adjudicated by the Beis Yitzchak (E.H. 1:23) about a man who "purchased" for himself the Kohen status...which sounded good at first, until it had serious ramifications for his marriage. We delve into the principles of halacha which govern speech, deed and much more to understand how t…

1
Made In China 11:38

3M ago11:38

11:38

Soy Many Questions Today we travel to China with Rabbi Binyamin Berkowitz - Kashrus Administrator at the KOF-K. Come along as we explore the process of certifying factories in China. View it in its entirety at: https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/made-in-china To Sponsor An Episode: https://pay.banquest.com/kashrusawareness Join the Let’s Talk Ka…

1
74. Until I'm Six Feet Under? A Texas Burial Brouhaha - Feat. Rabbi Barry Gelman 28:01

3M ago28:01

28:01

In this episode, Rabbi Barry Gelman shares with us a personal case he dealt with regarding a family who was adamant about reburying their deceased six feet under. Rabbi Gelman shares with us the responsum he received from Eretz Hemdah (B'Mareh HaBazak 7:81) and how it made its way into a Texas courtroom. This is a fascinating discussion that incorp…

1
Don’t Cry Over Cholov Stam Milk 9:35

3M ago9:35

9:35

R’ Moshe Feinstein’s teshuva on Cholov Stam in America is by far one of the more famous of his. Yet, Rabbi Sholem Fishbane - Kashrus Administrator at the Chicago Rabbinical Council, and Executive Director of AKO, points out that there are many side benefits of being makpid on cholov yisroel besides for the actual Halacha shaila. View it in its enti…

1
Kosher Can, Treife Plan? 15:34

4M ago15:34

15:34

What can be wrong with canned corn? All the ingredients are kosher. Let's listen to Rabbi Mordechai Stareshefsky a Rabbinic Coordinator at the OU as he explains some potential issues with the most basic food items. This serves as a reminder why one should always ensure that there is a good hechsher on everything they buy. View it in its entirety at…

1
73. "Avram", Academia, and Acceptance - Feat. Zachary Ottenstein 39:53

4M ago39:53

39:53

Today, Zachary Ottenstein join us as we look at the monumentalMinchas Yitzchak of Dayan Yitzchok Yaakov Weiss and explore a lesser known responsum(4:30) about secular text books which has broader implications for recent trends in the Jewish world.

1
72. Clarifying a Contested Conversion - Feat. Rabbi Michoel Zylberman 28:08

4M ago28:08

28:08

Editor's Note: This episode is dedicated in memory of Joy Rothke (Shayna Fradel bas Reb Velvel) a"h. I want to thank Ben Rothke for his friendship and ideas that have helped me throughout this project. May our learning be a zechus for his sister's neshama and may Hashem give him and his entire family much nechama. - Moshe Kurtz --- In this episode,…

1
Shellac On Snacks 11:46

4M ago11:46

11:46

What Are The Facts? That shiny coating that can be found on anything from jellybeans to fruit to hard-wood flooring. What is it made of? Is it Kosher? Let's listen in to a fascinating (and slightly discomforting) discussion about Shellac otherwise known as confectioners glaze, with Rabbi Sholem Fishbane - Kashrus Administrator at the Chicago Rabbin…

1
71. The Internet's Rabbi: Rav Yuval Cherlow - Feat. Rabbi Roy Feldman 35:57

5M ago35:57

35:57

Join our guest Rabbi Roy Feldman as he explores the remarkable accomplishments of Rav Yuval Cherlow, a pioneering Israeli rabbi who was on the vanguard of those who used the internet to answer the halachic questions posed by society. Rabbi Feldman presents us with one of his sefarim, ReShu"t HaTzibbur (pp. 173-176), to better understand his distinc…

1
Meat The Future 13:13

5M ago13:13

13:13

Lab-Grown vs. Nature Today's topic is very futuristic. Cultured meat, clean meat, lab-grown meat... Let's get a behind-the-scenes peek at this topic which is still in the theoretical stages. Rabbi Mordechai Stareshefsky is a Rabbinic Coordinator at the OU. View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/meat-the-future To Sponsor A…

1
70. Family, Fertility and Halacha: Presenting Shu"T PUAH - Feat. Rabbi Elan Segelman 38:19

5M ago38:19

38:19

Today, we explore the recent compendium of responsa called Shu"T PUAH, produced by PUAH, an organization that helps families with the range of challenges in the fertility journey, including halacha, medicine, finances, counseling and more. We had the privilege to hear from Rabbi Elan Segelman, PUAH's rabbinic director in America. We explore differe…

1
Everything But The Kitchen Sink 6:24

5M ago6:24

6:24

Ensuring a kosher kitchen. Let’s listen to Rav Shmuel Fuerst - Dayan of Agudas Yisroel of Illinois on the topic of keeping a kosher kitchen with 1 sink vs. 2 sinks. View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/everything-but-the-kitchen-sink To Sponsor An Episode: https://pay.banquest.com/kashrusawareness Join the Let’s Talk Kas…

1
69. Ashkenazim Trapped in Sephardic Service - Feat. Rabbi Yigal Sklarin 30:44

5M ago30:44

30:44

Just in time for Chanukah, Rabbi Yigal Sklarin introduces us to the Responsa Keneses Yisrael (no. 17) which not only addresses the classic Ashkenazic and Sephardic variances in the lighting of Menorah, but the social tension that developed when Ashkenazic servants found themselves in the homes of their Sephardic masters.…

1
68. The Medium, the Message, and the (Ri) Migash - Feat. Rabbi Shmuel Lubin 37:12

5M ago37:12

37:12

Today we are joined by Rabbi Shmuel Lubin, a RIETS musmach, doctoral candidate in Microbiology, and host of "The Rishonim Podcast" who introduces us to the responsa of the Ri Migash (no. 114) and what it means for the study of Talmud, Responsa, and Halacha nowadays. Check out the Rishonim podcast here:https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/the-risho…

1
67. A Tour of the Cairo Geniza - Feat. Rabbi Zachary Rothblatt 36:21

6M ago36:21

36:21

Rabbi Zachary Rothblatt takes us on a fascinating journey through the Cairo Geniza, a recently discovered treasure trove of Jewish texts and artifacts. This episode uncovers the Geniza's secrets, shedding light on the lives and traditions of medieval Egyptian Jewry. Rabbi Rothblatt also shares with us an intriguing responsum which provides insight …

1
The Kashrus Control Room 16:37

6M ago16:37

16:37

Industrial Kashrus Systems Everyone loves to know what goes on behind the scenes. Today we take a tour of a typical factory with Rabbi Yitzchak Hanoka, Senior Rabbinate Coordinator with the OK. We’ll find out all the systems in place to ensure kashrus at the highest level. View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/the-kashrus…

1
66. HaRav Hershel Schachter: The Pesakim & The Personage - Feat. Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz 34:48

6M ago34:48

34:48

Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz, a close disciple of the preeminent HaRav Hershel Schachter (and a leading scholar in his own right), offers an intimate glimpse into the renowned posek's approach to halachic decision-making. Drawing on Rav Schachter's earlier work, Eretz HaTzvi (no. 6), Rabbi Lebowitz shares a compelling example which illustrates Rav Schachte…

1
65. The Terumas HaDeshen: Bridging Medieval and Modernity - Feat. Rabbi Yehoshua Duker 38:19

6M ago38:19

38:19

In this episode, Rabbi Yehoshua Duker delves into the fascinating world of the Terumas HaDeshen, a foundational work in the development of halacha. Written by Rabbi Yisrael Isserlin in the 15th century, this seminal text bridged the medieval and modern eras, addressing complex halachic queries. Rabbi Duker explores the question of whether the Terum…

1
A Rabbi, A Priest, And A Monk 13:38

6M ago13:38

13:38

Walk into a bar. The bartender asks, "What can I get you?" The rabbi replies, "Something kosher that wasn’t blessed by either of them!" All jokes aside, this episode discusses various instances where kashrus intersects with potential Avodah Zarah issues. Rabbi Sholem Fishbane, Director of Kashrus for the Chicago Rabbinical Council, and the Executiv…

1
64. Medresh, Machshava and Dikduk: Do They Really Matter? - Feat. Rabbi Tuvia Berman 45:44

6M ago45:44

45:44

Our guest, Rabbi Tuvia Berman seeks to identify the essential components of Jewish education. What - if any - is the role of Lomdus, Medresh, Machshava, and Dikduk? He breaks down the Chavos Yair's (responsum, no. 124) incisive approach and offers general insights from his long and multi-faceted career as a Jewish educator. Rabbi Tuvia Berman is th…

1
63. Marriage, Mamzeirus and Money - Feat. Rabbi Ezra Schwartz 33:01

6M ago33:01

33:01

Our guest, Rabbi Ezra Schwartz examines Chacham Ovadia Yosef's ruling on suspected infidelity (Yabia Omer, Vol. 3, E.H. #1) which has implications for the couple's marital status and finances alike. Rabbi Schwartz summarizes the key principles employed by Chacham Ovadia and highlights the unique methodology employed to protect the potential mamzer …

1
Making Waves In The Office 4:24

7M ago4:24

4:24

What is the best setup for an office kitchen when not all employees keep kosher? How many microwaves do you need? These questions and more answered by Rav Shmuel Fuerst - Dayan of Agudas Yisroel of Illinois in this weeks episode. View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/making-waves-in-the-office To Sponsor An Episode: https…

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62. Savior of Seforim and Souls: Rav Mordechai Pinchas Teitz zt"l - Feat. Dr. Rivkah Blau 31:37

7M ago31:37

31:37

Discover the extraordinary legacy of Rav Mordechai Pinchas Teitz, the rabbi of Elizabeth, NJ, and a visionary leader who rescued sacred texts and transformed the lives of countless American Jews. Dr. Rivkah Blau shares a teshuva he published in the journal, HaPardes (Year 25, Issue #3, p. 5) and provides several inspiring stories of her esteemed fa…

1
Lettuce Train To Strain 15:24

7M ago15:24

15:24

Aphids & Thrips Let’s join Rabbi Yisroel Langer Dayan at the cRc Beis Din and Rav of Congregation Bais Yitzchok as he gives us a tutorial on how to check your own lettuce at home. View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/lettuce-train-to-strain Original video of Rabbi Langer on cRc's website https://crckosher.org/videos/how-…

1
61. A Kashrus Compromise? The Parameters of Personal Trust in Halacha - Feat. Rabbi Chaim Jachter 29:55

7M ago29:55

29:55

This episode features Rabbi Chaim Jachter's scholarly examination of the relationship between kashrus and personal trust in halacha (kim lei b’gavei). By introducing the recent Responsa Atzei Besamim (Y.D., no. 10), Rabbi Jachter investigates the parameters of trusting individuals with varying kashrus standards. His discussion addresses key issues,…

1
New Year, Old Stock 17:03

8M ago17:03

17:03

5785 & Beyond Let’s join Rabbi Sholom Tendler - Kashrus Administrator at the STAR-K as he walks us through the sugya of yoshon and what has changed recently, just in time for the start of the new season, 5785. View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/new-year-old-stock To Sponsor An Episode: https://pay.banquest.com/kashrusa…

1
60. A Career of Compassionate Jewish Education - Feat. Rabbi Yaakov Bender 30:37

9M ago30:37

30:37

Returning to his early educational roots, Moshe Kurtz interviews his lifelong Rebbe and Rosh HaYeshiva, Rav Yaakov Bender about an array of questions pertaining to Jewish education. Through the lens of several teshuvos in Igros Moshe (Y.D. 2:104, Y.D. 4:30, and C.M. 2:51), Rabbi Bender emphasizes the importance of compassion and inclusivity as a ha…

1
The Missing Ingredient 16:50

9M ago16:50

16:50

Enough Quality Mashgichim Why is it so hard to find quality mashgichim in the food service industry? Let's listen to Rabbi Nosson Dubin - Kashrus Administrator of HKA (Houston), and founder of the Kosher Institute of America as he explains the root causes, and how we can address the underlying issues. View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusa…

1
59. Tenuous Texts, Hot Air Balloons, and Shai Agnon: Not Your "Typical" Chalitza Case - Feat. Rabbi Jeffrey Saks 51:41

9M ago51:41

51:41

In this episode, Rabbi Jeffrey Saks delves into the intriguing world of Chalitza, a Jewish law procedure for dissolving a levirate marriage, through the lens of the Maharsham's Responsum (1:14). This complex case involves a hot air balloon ride, obscure texts, and an exclusive revelation about the Nobel laureate Shai Agnon's potential influence fro…

1
58. "He Said, She Said": A Tale of Two Teshuvos - Feat. Dr. Elana Stein Hain 34:59

9M ago34:59

34:59

In this episode, Dr. Elana Stein Hain examines a unique pair of responsa by the Rambam (no. 160-161, Mechon Yerushalayim Ed.), which present a harrowing marital dispute from two opposing perspectives - one from the wife's point of view and the other from the husband's. By analyzing these two teshuvos, Dr. Stein Hain gets to the deeper meaning of th…

1
57. Disentangling the Secrets of Sha'atnez - Feat. Rabbi Yirmiyah Moldovan 37:00

9M ago37:00

37:00

In addition to his sha'atnez expertise, our guest, Rabbi Yirmiyah Moldovan, is a sofer, shochet, ba'al kriah, and ba'al tokeah. Through the prism of Igros Moshe (Y.D. 1:72), he delves into the obscure world of sha'atnez, exploring both the halachic issues and practical methods for determining which clothing ACTUALLY needs to be tested for the prohi…

1
Seal The Deal 8:17

9M ago8:17

8:17

Protecting Kosher Wine Wine in the hands of hired help. Wine as a present from a gentile colleague. These questions and everything you need to know about wine in the hands of people that may cause wine to become Stam yeinam answered by Rav Shmuel Fuerst - Dayan of Agudas Yisroel of Illinois in this weeks episode. View it in its entirety at https://…

1
56. A View from the Vanguard: A Conversation with a Contemporary Posek - Feat. Rabbi Asher Bush 37:54

9M ago37:54

37:54

In this episode, we sit down with Rabbi Asher Bush, a contemporary posek (Jewish legal authority), who offers a unique glimpse into the mind of a modern halachic decisor. Rabbi Bush shares his experiences and insights on how he navigates the complex challenges of the modern world while rendering halachic decisions. We touch on a host of topics from…

1
55. What Happens When Halacha Appears to Get History Wrong? - Feat. Rabbi Dr. Jacob J. Schacter 34:38

9M ago34:38

34:38

What happens when a posek steps into the realm of history? Rabbi Dr. Jacob J. Schacter, one of today's leading Jewish scholars, assesses the historical claims advanced in a late responsum of R. Moshe Feinstein (Igros Moshe, Y.D. 4:57:11) against instituting new fast days. R. Dr. Schacter raises several fundamental questions that arise from R. Feins…

1
Are You Aware? 9:05

9M ago9:05

9:05

The Tiers of Beer Are the drinks at an event kosher? Most hechsherim usually have a sign saying they take no achrayus. At the cRc though, they recently implemented a new policy with regards to beer at events. Let’s listen to R’ Sholem Fishbane, Director of Kashrus for the Chicago Rabbinical Council and Executive Director of AKO, as he explains the …

1
54. The Pioneering Pesakim of Rav Shlomo Goren - Feat. Rabbi Chaim Metzger 36:47

10M ago36:47

36:47

In this episode, Rabbi Chaim Metzger explores the groundbreaking halachic rulings of Rav Shlomo Goren, a pioneer and previous Chief Rabbi of the Israeli Defense Forces, based on his sefer Meishiv Milchamah (no. 2). Through an analysis of Rav Goren's innovative rulings, Rabbi Metzger reveals how he navigated complex issues facing both the Israeli mi…

1
Optical Illusion 8:11

10M ago8:11

8:11

Maris Ayin Confusion Can I walk into McDonalds to get a drink? How about to use the restroom? Can one have a business meeting in a treife restaurant? These and other maris ayin questions answered by Rav Shmuel Fuerst - Dayan of Agudas Yisroel of Illinois in this weeks episode. View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/optical…

1
53. The Briskers Got it Right! (At Least This Time) - Feat. Rabbi David Fried 37:28

10M ago37:28

37:28

Rabbi David Fried explores how a responsum of the Rambam (Shu"T HaRambam, Mechon Yerushalayim Edition, No. 104) sheds light on ambiguities and seeming contradictions in his magnum opus, the Mishneh Torah. He demonstrates how reading the "original" responsum can possibly settle a debate between Rav Moshe Feinstein (Igros Moshe, Y.D. 2:7) and Rav Aha…

1
Kosher Explosion 15:45

10M ago15:45

15:45

50 Years In Motion Let's listen in to R' Menachem Lubinsky, President & CEO of LUBICOM Marketing Consulting, for his unique perspective behind the scenes as he observed the explosive growth of Kosher products over the last 50 years. View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/kosher-explosion To Sponsor An Episode: https://pay.…

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52. Recovering the Remarkable Rulings of Rav Nosson Nota Zuber zt"l - Feat. Rabbi Yossi Katz 35:53

10M ago35:53

35:53

In this episode, Rabbi Yossi Katz delves into the fascinating life and works of Rav Nosson Nota Zuber, a Talmudic scholar who served as the rabbi of Roselle, NJ. Through a general exploration of Rav Zuber's responsa contained in Zichron Menachem, Rabbi Katz reveals the remarkable rulings and insights made by this less-well-known, yet exceedingly er…

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