Q&A: Kosher Food in a Cabin Rental
Kosher Food in a Cabin Rental
Question
Hello Rabbi Michi.. My partner and I are interested in staying on Friday and the Sabbath in a cabin rental that does not have a kosher certificate, but the owner says that he is careful for those who are careful about Jewish law, and simply because of financial difficulties he cannot afford a kashrut supervisor.
It should be noted that: (I’d be happy to be corrected if I’m mistaken)
1. My partner and I are vegan; his kitchen is dairy and pareve, and there is no meat in the kitchen at all.
2. Regarding immersed utensils—since they are for commercial use, there is no need to immerse them, and there is no halakhic problem eating from them.
3. The breakfast (which is the only meal we would eat there), which is on the Sabbath, consists of: bread, a chickpea omelet, vegetables, and spreads.
It should be noted that there will be a hot plate and an urn, and even a Sabbath non-Jew.
Could any halakhic problem arise here?
Thanks in advance.
Answer
Hello Rab.
Specifically regarding immersion of utensils: although people are accustomed to be lenient, I am not familiar with a good justification for that. These are not utensils designated for merchandise. See here: https://www.toraland.org.il/%D7%9E%D7%90%D7%9E%D7%A8%D7%99%D7%9D/%D7%9B%D7%A9%D7%A8%D7%95%D7%AA-%D7%94%D7%9E%D7%96%D7%95%D7%9F/%D7%9B%D7%A9%D7%A8%D7%95%D7%AA-%D7%9B%D7%9C%D7%9C%D7%99/%D7%98%D7%91%D7%99%D7%9C%D7%AA-%D7%9B%D7%9C%D7%99%D7%9D-%D7%91%D7%91%D7%AA%D7%99-%D7%A2%D7%A1%D7%A7/
The question is whether the vegetables have had tithes separated, and the other commandments dependent on the Land. Is the chickpea omelet cooked before the Sabbath? In what utensils?
In general, it is hard to rely on a person whose livelihood depends on this (he is biased). True, there are those who rely on the rule that one witness is trusted regarding prohibitions, but it is not foolproof.
If these are the only things you need, it seems to me that you can manage even without relying on him. With disposable utensils and cooked food (a royal chickpea omelet) that you bring with you.
If he himself is religious, then of course there is more room to rely on him.