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 reasoning behind it.

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. Here  is a short synopsis of chashad vs. maris ayin from the OU website: The Talmud often uses the terms “ maris ayin ” and “ chashad ”. What do these terms mean and how do they differ from each other? Rav Moshe Feinstein, zt”l  (Igros Moshe (OC II:40)) defines maris ayin  (literally, “appearance to the eye”) as the­ prohibition against giving the impression that one is doing something wrong when it may influence others to sin as well. Chashad  (literally, “suspicion”) is the prohibition of causing others to suspect one of wrongdoing, even when it will not  cause others to sin. Although maris ayin  is the more serious violation, the mere appearance of impropriety is also forbidden. This is derived from the verse in Bamidbar (32:22), “And you shall be clean before Hashem and before Yisroel.” The tribes of Gad and Reuven wanted to remain on the east bank of the Jordan and not join the other tribes in conquering the Land of Israel. Moshe encouraged them to be clean (to act appropriately) “before G-d and before Yisroel.” “Before Yisroel” indicates that a person must be concerned about human perception. The Mishnah (Avoda Zara 11b) states that one is not permitted to follow a path that is designated as an entrance to a temple of idolatry. Rashi writes that this is because of chashad . Igros Moshe explains that maris ayin  does not apply in this case, because there is no concern that a Jew will be easily influenced to worship idolatry. Yet, it is still forbidden to take the path towards the idol because of chashad —arousing suspicion about one’s own behavior.

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.

What’s the deal with dried fruits? Apricots, Raisins, Dates are some of the more common ones. Rabbi Tzvi Rosen - Kashrus Administrator at the STAR-K explains the entire drying process and what to look out for.

There’s never a dull moment with Rabbi Sholom H. Adler - Senior Kashrus Administrator at Earth Kosher. But what do you do when your knife gets dull? Let’s learn what to look out for when having your knife professionally sharpened.

Overnight Sakanah Chazal say that leaving peeled eggs, garlic, and onions overnight makes them dangerous to consume. Sleeping on top of food, as well as eating fish and meat together are other examples of dangerous foods. Let's listen in to Rav Shmuel Fuerst - Dayan of Agudas Yisroel of Illinois as he explains us the exact parameters of Chazal's takanos.

Focus on Shabbos Are the waiters at your simcha allowed to take pictures for you on Shabbos? What happens if you run out of ice? These questions and more answered by Rabbi Moshe Zev Kaufman - Rav of Khal Adas Bnei Yisroel in Chicago, Menahel of the Midwest Bais Horaah, as he walks us through the intricacies of Amira L'akum on Shabbos and benefitting from a Melocha done by a non-jew on Shabbos.

Non-Kosher Takeout Let's take a walk through a typical camp kitchen together with Rabbi Moshe Kaufman, Kashrus Administrator for KVH Kosher ~ Rabbinical Council of New England and Co-chairman of the AKO Camp Kashrus Committee. As we walk through, he explains to us the common potential problems that may crop up.

The AKO Camp Initiative Back for it's second year, the AKO Kashrus Camp Initiative is here to help any camp that wants set itself up to suceed at serving kosher all summer long.  Rabbi Moshe Kaufman, Kashrus Administrator for KVH Kosher ~ Rabbinical Council of New England and Co-chairman of the AKO Camp Kashrus Committee explains to us in depth, the great need to set your camp up with the proper systems in place

With summers arrival, grilling season has officially begun. What is the deal with pre-seasoned cast iron pans. Can they be used as is? Do they need to be kashered? If so, how does one kasher? Let's listen to Rabbi Dovid Cohen - Administrative Rabbinical Coordinator at the cRc, as he navigates with us through this sugya.

On The Cow Carousel Shavuos has become synonymous with milchigs. But what does it take to set up a system to ensure cholov yisroel milk? Let’s take a walk with Rabbi Tzvi Rosen - Kashrus Administrator at the STAR-K through a dairy farm. As we take this virtual tour, he explains all the processes and systems to ensure the highest level of kashrus.

While there are many things that overlap between vegan products and kosher products, one does not guarantee the other. Let's listen in to Rabbi Sholom H. Adler - Senior Kashrus Administrator at Earth Kosher as he explains the nuances differentiating the two.