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Should I Refrain from Eating Anything Labeled DE (Dairy Equipment)?

Q. If I’m makpid to eat only Chalav Yisrael, does that mean I should also refrain from eating anything that has a Hechsher and says DE (Dairy equipment)?

A. Utensils that had Chalav Akum used in them need to be kashered before being used for Chalav Yisrael. One who uses strictly Chalav Yisrael should do the same after using Chalav Stam.

DE means that no kashering was done after being used previously for non-Chalav Yisrael, and should not be eaten by someone who only eats Chalav Yisrael. #9060*

Is Chalav Yisrael Pizza Baked in a Chalav Stam Oven Permitted?

Q. Our local Jewish school is making a Motzoei Shabbos gathering with Chalav Yisrael pizza baked in a Chalav Stam oven. Is the pizza permitted?

A. According to the view that Chalav Stam is considered Chalav Akum and not-kosher, one should be careful not to use utensils/pots etc. that were used with these foods.

If utensils were only used for cold, it’s permitted. In extenuating circumstances there might be other lenient considerations.

Regarding the pizza – if the oven was clean and not used for Chalav Stam for 24 hours, the pizza is permitted after the fact. But one may not ask them l’chatchila to prepare the pizza in such a manner. If the pizza can be made while covered, it’s okay l’chatchila. #1997*

Milk Milked by a Mechalel Shabbos

Q. If a Jew who is not Frum, i.e. does not keep Shabbos, milks an animal, is the milk Chalav Yisrael?

A. There is a machlokes whether the issur of Chalav Akum includes milk which a Mechalel Shabbos milked. Even according to the lenient view, there will be an issue if the milk was sent to you by a Mechalel Shabbos unless it was fully sealed at the milking plant before it was sent.

Also, if there is any milk in the area which was milked by a non-Jew, whether in the farm or store-bought milk for drinking, this leniency would not apply. Regardless, you must ensure that the cow is not a treifa; a medical record would suffice to rule out any concern. #25371*

Is There an Official Chabad Minhag Concerning Butter Made from Chalav Akum?

Q. I would like to clarify the issue of butter that may be made with Chalav Akum. I see that the Kitzur (and even the Alter Rebbe’s Shulchan Aruch) officially allows any butter to be eaten, but I know that this is not what we normally do in Chabad. Can you please clarify this? Is there any official psak or minhag Chabad concerning butter?

A. Such butter should not be eaten. Explanation: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch (38:15) does not say it is permitted. He says it depends on custom. I am not sure where you got that from the Alter Rebbe Shulchan Aruch. The only thing I am aware of him saying on the topic, aside for a general mention about the dispute in this matter (OC 442 Kuntres Acharon 15. Responsa 18), is that it is more lenient than other rabbinic prohibitions. (See YD 185:9).

As for an official Chabad ruling: The Tzemach Tzedek states that the custom has spread in all our circles not to eat such butter, and is absolutely binding to the extent that it can never be nullified.

Additional point noteworthy of mentioning: In today’s day and age, the production of butter is very different, with additives which could present other Chalav Yisrael concerns (aside for general Kashrus concerns, which can be resolved with a proper certification). #10693*

Kashering a Waffle Maker Used with a Chalav Akum Waffle Mix

Q. I just made a batch of waffles with a waffle mix that was mislabeled as being pareve, but I see now that the ingredients include a dairy (Chalav Stam) product (Milk Protein Isolate). The kashrus agency reported an alert that this was mislabeled and should be OUD instead of OU. I threw out the food, but what is the status of my (previously pareve) waffle maker? We generally follow the Chabad practice to be strict to consider even Chalav Stam keilim as totally not kosher.

A. In a case where they can not easily be replaced, and the grates are removable, there is room to rely on kashering them by placing them in a pot of boiling hot water 3 times – the water should be switched each time – in addition to turning it on to the highest setting. #19692* 

*References are available for this Halacha on the websites: www.Halacha2Go.com and www.AskTheRav.com.

Please note that these halachos apply in general situations. If you are unsure whether the halacha applies to your particular situation, please consult a Rav.

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