DailyHalacha.com for Mobile Devices Now Available

Click Here to Sponsor Daily Halacha
"Delivered to Over 6000 Registered Recipients Each Day"

      
(File size: 746 KB)
Delivering Kosher Food Through a Non-Jewish Courier

The question arises in Halacha as to the status of Kosher food delivered by a gentile. For example, if a person orders food from a Kosher restaurant or pizza shop, and the food is delivered by a non-Jewish delivery boy, is the food permissible? From the Gemara it appears that if a gentile delivers Kosher meat, one must be concerned that the gentile may have substituted non-Kosher meat for the Kosher meat, and therefore the delivered meat may not be eaten. Would this mean that a Kosher restaurant may not deliver meat with a non-Jewish delivery boy? Is there a distinction in this regard between meat and other foods?

Chacham Ovadia Yosef writes (Halichot Olam, vol. 7, p. 171, Halacha 13) that meat may be delivered via a gentile only if it is wrapped in a double seal. Since one must tear open two seals to take the meat, any tampering of the package would be immediately discernible. Therefore, if the customer finds the meat with its double-seal packaging intact, he may rest assured that it was not tampered with and the meat is Kosher. This applies to wine, as well; one may allow a gentile to deliver wine only if it is packaged with a double seal. The Mashgiach (Kashrut supervisor) of a restaurant or store must ensure that meat and wine is packaged in a double seal before sent for delivery via a non-Jew.

If, however, one sends Yayin Mevushal (wine that had been brought to a boil) or dairy products, then a single seal suffices. So long as the food or wine was packaged with a single seal, it may be delivered via a gentile courier.

This Halacha applies as well to sending one's non-Jewish housekeeper to the store to purchase food. It is permissible to have her bring from the store sealed, packaged food, and one may have her bring meat or wine that is not Yayin Mevushal only if it is packaged with a double seal.

Summary: If a gentile brings or delivers Kosher meat, or wine that is not Mevushal, one may partake of the meat or wine only if it had been packaged with a double seal. For Mevushal wine or dairy foods, a single seal suffices.

 


Recent Daily Halachot...
Opening a Store on Shabbat
Work by a Non-Jew on Property Owned by a Jew on Shabbat
Preparations for Shabbat
The Halachot of Taking Challa
The Misva of Taking Hallah
Review of Use of Bar Soap on Shabbat
The Reward for Properly Preparing for Shabbat
Using Soap On Shabbat- The Issue of MiMacheik
The Importance of Oneg Shabbat
Wearing a Key as an Ornament in a Public Domain on Shabbat
One Who Comes Late to the Synagogue on Friday Night
Pouring Hot Water From a Kettle Into a Pot of Hamin (Cholent) on Shabbat
The Proper Time to Begin Se’uda Shelishit; Reciting Birkat Hamazon After Se’uda Shelishit Over a Cup of Wine
May Crock Pots be Used for Shabbat?
Must One Completely Dry a Teacup Before Pouring Hot Water Into it From an Urn?
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found