Baltimore, MD - September 20, 2022

With the approach of Rosh Hashana, when many of us will be enjoying fresh fruits and other traditional foodstuffs, STAR-K reminds you that some of these items need to be checked carefully prior to use.

Checking instructions for all Rosh Hashana Simanim appear here and also as a downloadable PDF below. For your convenience, we are also including links to the 5783 Yoshon Quick Reference Guide, updated Baltimore Establishments Yoshon/Pas Yisroel chart, Insect Checking chart and What Do Bugs Look Like chart.

ROSH HASHANA SIMANIM CHECKING INSTRUCTIONS

APPLES/BEETS/CARROTS/POMEGRANATES: No checking required.

DATES*: Open a few dates in each container and visually inspect. If no insects can be seen, the rest may be eaten without further checking.

FIGS*: Open each one and check carefully for infestation (typically wasps, beetles or worms). NOTE: Figs are particularly difficult to check.

 * Checking instructions for dates and figs apply even if they have a hechsher, due to the possibility of improper storage.

BLACK EYED PEAS:

Preparation

  • Dried Peas should first be boiled in water. After they have been fully cooked, allow the peas to soak in the water for 2-3 hours. The peas will then swell and the peel will become translucent. Then check as instructed below. 
  • Canned or Frozen Peas may be checked straight out of the can/bag; there is no need to boil or soak.

Checking Instructions

  1. Take the peas and inspect for holes or dark-colored stains, as this may indicate an insect beneath the thin peel. 
  2. If there is a dark spot on the peel, remove the thin skin and check if there is a cavity with a bug in it.

NOTE: The black "eye" spot is not a sign of infestation. Similarly, orange colored stains on the surface are not signs of infestation; only dark or black stains are of concern.

LEEKS: Examine the outside for any leaf miner trails. Check in between the leaves for thrips or other insects. 

CABBAGE:

Fresh Cabbage: Separate all leaves and wash well. Then check using the thrip cloth method.

Stuffed Cabbage: After freezing the head, defrost and separate all leaves and wash them well. Then check using the thrip cloth method.

THRIP CLOTH METHOD:

  1. Prepare a basin with water and non-bleach/non-toxic dishwasher detergent solution. The water should feel slippery.
  2. Agitate the produce in the solution for 15 seconds.
  3. Remove the produce from the basin and shake off excess water over the basin.
  4. Pour water through the thrip cloth over another basin. Check the thrip cloth over a light box for any insects.**
  5. If insects are found, wash the produce again and recheck, repeating steps 1-4.
  6. This can be repeated up to 3 times. If insects are still found on the third try, the produce should not be used.

** If one does not have a thrip cloth, the cabbage leaves may be checked carefully using a lightbox or under good lighting.

HONEY: Pure honey does not need a hechsher (Clover, Wildflower, Blossom, Orange, etc., are types of honey, not flavors). Flavored honey needs a hechsher.

Click here for a PDF of the Rosh Hashana Simanim Checking Guide

Click here for STAR-K's Insect Checking Chart

Click here for STAR-K's What Do Bugs Look Like Chart

Click here for Baltimore Establishments Yoshon/Pas Yisroel Chart 

Click here for the most current 5783 Yoshon Quick Reference Guide

Click here for the most current 5783 Yoshon Quick Reference Guide

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Parsha Hashavua
Rabbi Zvi Teichman on Parshas Vayakheil/Pekudei: Ha!

The Book of Shemos spans the most remarkable era in our history — from slavery to the exodus to the revelation at Sinai and the construction of an abode for the Divine Presence — concludes with the משכן — the Tabernacle finally emplaced.


The cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the Presence of G-d filled the Tabernacle. Moshe could not enter the Tent of Meeting, because the cloud had settled upon it and the Presence of G-d filled the Tabernacle. (40 34,35)


This depiction of Moshe, the greatest leader of all time, seemingly shunned from entering the Mishkan, casts a disappointing shadow upon the fulfillment of his greatest dream.


There is also an apparent redundancy in these two verses and it's describing the 'Presence of G-d that filled the Tabernacle' twice.


The superficial reading of this portion seems to indicate that as soon as they finished the construction of the Mishkan and all its components they were told that on the first day of Nissan it would be inaugurated.


According to one Tannaitic opinion, on the twenty fifth of Kislev the work of Mishkan was completed, and its components sat folded up [for three months] until the first of Nissan, because G-d wanted the Mishkan to be erected in the month that Yitzchak was born. 


G-d desired that the joy of completing the Mishkan should be intertwined with the joy of the day Yitzchok was born — the first of Nissan. (תנחומא פקודי סימן יא)


We usually associate Yitzchok with the attribute of דין — strict law, or גבורה — intense personal strength, not necessarily with שמחה — joy, and certainly not with צחוק — laughter, the very root of his name.


The first time we discover laughter in the Torah is when Avraham and Sarah at a very advanced age are blessed with the improbable birth of a son.


When a person abruptly encounters something absurd and beyond expectation — the natural response is laughter. 


We live with certain assumptions of how situations will turn out. When things suddenly go in a totally different direction it evokes an instinctive laugh of disbelief.


יושב בשמים — He Who sits in heaven, ישחק — will laugh, ד' ילעג למו — G-d will mock them.(תהלים ב ד)


G-d 'laughs' at the absurdity and futility of our enemies who try to prevent what He has decreed.


We live in a world of delusions. We think we know better. We think we can foretell how situations will develop. We fear the unknown.


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Yitzchok lived with one reality — G-d.


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Only then can one truly laugh at the face of an absurd world.


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No wonder its inauguration would have to take place on the day 'reality' was born into this world of falsity.


Perhaps the reiteration of the 'Presence of G-d filled the Mishkan' was intended to express that even when Moshe was not yet invited into the Mishkan, his sense of the Divine Presence was not in any way diminished.


This week marked the Yahrtzeit of the Holy Rebbe Elimelech of Lizhensk.


Many are familiar with a prayer he composed to recite before davening.


His most famous quoted sentiment that we 'not let jealousy enter our hearts… on the contrary, place in our hearts to see only the good n our friends and not their shortcomings!', is widely known.


I would like to familiarize you with one other excerpt.


Awaken our hearts and the hearts of all Your nation Israel to unify You in truth and love… 'Remove all מסכים — facades and partitions which separate us from You, our Father in Heaven. Rescue us from all obstacles, from failures and mistakes.'  


May we be granted the ability to live in the real world.


May we not be deceived in thinking we can exist without You.


May we remain cognizant of your love and truth even when the clouds prevent us from seeing You.


Because You are always with us and the only reality that exists!


באהבה,


צבי יהודה טייכמאן















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