OU HALACHA YOMIS (OUkosher.org)
QUESTION: With regard to Pas Yisroel, I have heard different terms being used: Pas Yisroel, Pas palter, and Pas ba’al habayis. What is the meaning and halachic status of these items?
Chazal instituted that one may only eat bread that was baked with the involvement of a Jew. This bread is called Pas Yisroel, and this was enacted to prevent intermarriage. Involvement in the baking process can take one of three forms: 1) the bread is placed into a hot oven by a Yisroel; 2) the oven is lit by a Yisroel; 3) a Yisroel stokes the flames or throws in a chip of wood. If a Yisroel was not involved in any of these steps, even if they prepared the dough or shaped the loaves, this would not be Pas Yisroel. There is a disagreement among poskim as to whether the enactment of Pas Yisroel is still in effect, but all agree that at the very least it is preferable to eat Pas Yisroel.
Pas palter refers to bread that was baked for business purposes by a non-Jewish bakery without Jewish involvement. Sefardim follow the ruling of Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De’ah 112:2), that if Pas Yisroel is available, one should purchase only Pas Yisroel. However, if it is not available, or if it is of inferior quality, one may consume Pas palter. In contrast, Ashkenazim, as per the ruling of Rama (Yoreh De’ah 112:2) allow Pas palter in all situations. Nonetheless, it is a meritorious stringency to consume only Pas Yisroel.
The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 603) advises that even those who eat Pas palter during the year should eat only Pas Yisroel during the Aseres Yemei Teshuva. Additionally, Mishnah Berurah (242:6) writes that it is proper to honor Shabbos and Yom Tov by eating only Pas Yisroel on those special days.
Pas ba’al habayis refers to bread that was baked without Jewish involvement by a non-Jew for his own consumption. Both Ashkenazim and Sefardim may not eat pas ba’al habayis, except in certain extenuating circumstances (YD 112:7-8).
QUESTION: Which foods are included in the category of Pas in relation to Pas Yisroel and Pas palter?
The word “pas” literally means bread. However, many poskim (e.g. Taz YD 112:6, Pri Chadash ibid., Beis Meir ibid.) explain that Pas Yisroel applies to any baked good on which one would recite hamotzi if one was kovei’a seuda (i.e., if it was used as the staple of their meal). As such, pas haba’ah b’kisnin (e.g. cookies, cakes, crackers, etc.) and certainly pizza and wraps are included in the category of pas in regard to Pas Yisroel/Pas palter. Those who are stringent year-round to eat only Pas Yisroel should purchase Pas Yisroel cookies, cakes and crackers, etc., exclusively. This is the case as well for those who are only stringent during the Aseres Yemei Teshuva, or for Shabbos and Yom Tov.
It should be noted that the OU certifies both Pas Yisroel and Pas palter products. This is based on the ruling of the Rama (Yoreh De’ah 112:2) that Pas palter is permitted even in situations where Pas Yisroel is available. Shach (112:9) writes that this is the accepted minhag of Ashkenazim. However, it is considered meritorious to be stringent and only purchase Pas Yisroel. One should not assume that an OU product is Pas Yisroel unless the product is marked “Pas Yisroel” or the product is listed on the OU’s Pas Yisroel List – 5785.
QUESTION: Granola Bars are made from oats, which are one of the five grains that halacha recognizes as a base for bread products. May those who are careful to eat only Pas Yisroel (bread baked by a Jew) consume granola bars that are not Pas Yisroel?
A granola bar is not pas (bread). This is because a granola bar is made from toasted kernels of rolled oats that are stuck together with syrup. Since the oats do not combine together to form a dough, they do not have the status of pas. Rav Belsky zt”l ruled that the appropriate beracha to recite on a granola bar is Borei Pri Ha’odama. Therefore, the laws of Pas Yisroel do not apply to granola bars.
Furthermore, the prohibition of bishul akum (food cooked by a non-Jew without Jewish involvement) also does not apply to granola bars. That prohibition is limited to foods that can be served at a fancy dinner. The Rambam (Ma’achalos Assuros 17:17) singles out toasted grains as a prime example of a simple food that is exempt from bishul akum.
QUESTION: It was my understanding that since a bag of pretzels is a snack food, it is not considered to be “oleh al shulchan melachim” (it would not be served at a banquet). Do the halachos of Pas Yisroel therefore not apply to pretzels?
The Pri Megadim (Mishbetzos Zahav 112:3) writes that the halachos of Pas Yisroel apply to all types of bread, even those of inferior quality. The exception for food that would not be served at a banquet applies to the prohibition of bishul akum (cooked food) but not to Pas Yisroel. Presumably, since bread is a staple of every meal, all bread is considered important and was included in the gezeira regardless of its quality. Therefore, one who is careful to eat only Pas Yisroel should purchase Pas Yisroel pretzels as well.
QUESTION: There are many cereals that are made from a combination of corn and oat flour. Corn is the primary ingredient, but the beracha is Mezonos because the oats are added for taste. Are these cereals acceptable for those who are careful to eat only Pas Yisroel?
The Pri Megadim (YD 112:2) writes that if one mixed flour from one of the five grains (wheat, barley, spelt, rye and oats) with other flour, we decide whether the rules of Pas Yisroel apply based on the majority. If the majority of grain is not one of the five grains, such as corn, even one who ordinarily would not eat Pas palter may be lenient. This is based on the opinion of the Ramban (Hilchos Challah 32a) that to be considered bread, the majority grain must be one of the five grains (such as wheat or oats). Although the halacha does not follow the Ramban’s opinion (see Shulchan Aruch OC 208:9), regarding pas Yisroel we follow a lower standard. Therefore, according to Pri Megadim even one who is strict to eat only Pas Yisroel may eat these cereals if the majority of the flour is not from the five grains.
QUESTION: I am careful to eat only Pas Yisroel. My neighbor made me mashed potatoes that were thickened with breadcrumbs that were Pas palter (made by a non-Jewish baker). May I eat the mashed potatoes?
Shulchan Shulchan Aruch (YD 112:14-15) writes that Pas akum (bread that is not pas Yisroel) is nullified with a simple majority (batel b’rov). Although in general the rule is that most non-kosher food becomes nullified only if mixed into sixty times their volume (batel b’shishim), pas akum is an exception. The Rama writes that this is true whether the mixture is dry or liquid. However, one who is careful not to eat Pas palter may not intentionally add it to a mixture in order to permit it. In this case, since the neighbor did not realize that this would be an issue and already nullified the breadcrumbs, they are now permitted for anyone to eat. Incidentally, the beracha on the mashed potatoes would remain Ha’adama; even though it contains breadcrumbs, since they were added only as a thickener, they do not change the beracha to Mezonos or Hamotzi.
