Breaking Bread: Croutons, Bagel & Pita Chips
In this final segment of our Brachos series Rabbi Dovid Heber – Kashrus Administrator at Star-K breaks down the various breads that aren’t necessarily homatzi once they are in their final stage. 
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View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/breaking-bread
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By Rabbi Berach Steinfeld
In the beginning of  Parshas Vayechi, Yaakov Avinu blessed his grandchildren, Ephraim and Menashe. He told them that Yisroel will bless their children to be like Ephraim and Menashe. The posuk uses the words “on that day” referring to when Yaakov bentched them.
The Targum Yonoson writes that this bracha shall be given to each child on the day he is circumcised.

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By Rabbi Berach Steinfeld
The Bais Yosef in Siman 550 brings in the name of the Avudraham that Asarah B’teves is different than all other fast days since if it would have fallen out on Shabbos it would not be pushed off to a different day. The posuk in Yechezkel 24:2 uses the terminology “Beetzem … Hayom Hazeh.” The Torah uses this terminology regarding Yom Kippur. The Avudraham adds that Asarah B’Teves can fall out on Friday, so we do fast on Friday. Unlike the other fast days which don’t fall out on a Friday.

Can Alcohol Be Avodah Zara?
What’s the possible connection between alcohol and avodah zara? From Saké which plays an integral part in Japanese culture to Trappist beers created in monasteries by monks, Rabbi Akiva Niehaus – Director of Kashrus Operations at the cRc and the Rabbinic Coordinator of the Liquor Industry at the cRc discusses the various drinks and the halachic ramifications.
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View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/spiritual-spirits
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By Rabbi Berach Steinfeld
Two young couples went to their parents / in-laws for Shabbos. Only one set of extra candles were prepared in the corner of the dining room. One of the ladies came into the dining room and lit the prepared candles with a bracha and left the room. The candles were extinguished by a gust of wind. The second woman subsequently came in and found two candles waiting for her, so she lit them with a bracha. It was discovered later on that there was only one set of candles for both couples. Which woman was yotzei the mitzvah of hadlakas neiros? Would the woman who was not yotzei be required to light an extra candle every week for the rest of her life?

Melted Gelt: Unwrapping the World of Chocolate
Is it true that chocolate factories are sometimes kashered with molten chocolate? Is chocolate labeled dairy-equipment, truly dairy free? Let’s find out the answers in this fascinating conversation with Rabbi Dovid Oppenheimer, Rabbinic Coordinator at the cRc.
WATCH:

View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/melted-gelt
Listen wherever you get your podcasts!
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By Rabbi Berach Steinfeld
In Vayikra 10:9 the Torah tells the Kohanim that they are not allowed to drink wine or alcoholic beverages upon entering the Ohel Moed.

At Maariv tonight, residents of chutz la’aretz begin to say Vesein Tal Umatar during the Shemonah Esrei in the bracha of Boreich Aleinu. Residents of Eretz Yisroel already began saying Vesein Tal Umatar on the 7th of Cheshvan.
If one became aware after completing the bracha of Mevareich Hashanim that one omitted Vesein Tal Umatar, one should wait to insert it right before “Ki atah shomeiah” in Shema Koleinu.

By Rabbi Berach Steinfeld
In Vayikra 10:9 the Torah tells the Kohanim that they are not allowed to drink wine or alcoholic beverages upon entering the Ohel Moed.