Most kashrus agencies rely on the psak of the Rem”a for ashkenazim, because that is the base of their clientele. Let’s listen in to R’ Hayim Arking – Administrator at the JSOR as he explains the complexities of certifying kashrus according to the Mechaber. He goes through one by one, the various challenges that need to be addressed to ensure kashrus lemehadrin for sefardim (in addition to ashkenazim).
WATCH:

 View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/mouthwatering-mazza
Listen wherever you get your podcasts!
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By Rabbi Berach Steinfeld
In Shmos 12:46 the Torah tells us that the Pesach should be eaten in one house. Regarding Pesach we can kler two questions. The first question is; did the people shechting the korban Pesach on Erev Pesach make a shehecheyanu on the Pesach? The second question is may the Pesach be eaten in a courtyard, or does it need to be eaten in the house?
The Nesiv Chaim 432 writes that while they shechted the Pesach, they did not recite a Shechecheyanu. They relied on the Shehecheyanu they say during the Seder. This would be like the building of the Sukka where we wait to say Shehecheyanu during kiddush on the first night of Sukkos.

By Rabbi Berach Steinfeld
After Moshe ran from Mitzrayim he arrives in Midyan at the well. He meets the daughters of Yisro. After the daughters were chased away by other shepherds, Moshe saves them and helps them feed their animals. When the daughters come home at an earlier time than the norm, Yiso asks them, “How come you are home so early?” They respond, “An Egyptian saved us from the other shepherds, and he also fed our animals.”

By Rabbi Berach Steinfeld
Since we are hopefully going to make a bris for our grandson, I figured we will try to write about Bris.
In Vayikra 12:3 the posuk tells us that on the 8th day one should have a Bris. Would a Mohel be allowed to walk out of the tchum in order to perform a bris? Do we say that since milah is docheh Shabbos he would be allowed to, or not?

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. 
WATCH:

View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/breaking-bread
Listen wherever you get your podcasts!
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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.

LISTEN:

https://matzav.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AUDIO-2023-12-20-21-36-47.mp3

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.
WATCH:

View it in its entirety at https://www.kashrusawareness.com/post/spiritual-spirits
Listen wherever you get your podcasts!
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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?