Cholov Yisroel
Encyclopedia
Cholov Yisroel refers to all dairy
products, including cheese
and non-fat dry milk powder, which have been produced under the supervision of a Rabbi.
Under Jewish halachic law, milk is kosher only if it comes from a kosher species of animal (such as cows and sheep) and milk from a non-kosher species (such as horses, and camels) is forbidden.
In the past it was not uncommon for farmers to mix the milk of their various herds together, unbeknownst to their customers. Since it was conceivable to have a farm selling a mixture of Kosher and non-Kosher milk, Rabbis issued an injunction against the use of milk from a non-Jewish farmer; such milk is referred to as chalav akum. The restriction did not apply if there was supervision of the milking process by a Jew until the milk was sold. The milk itself is automatically kosher (so long as it is 100% from a kosher animal, namely, a cow, sheep, goat, or other kosher mammal) but the Rabbis' decree served to protect people from potential dairy deception.
The first Cholov Yisroel dairy farm on the East Coast, and possibly in the United States, was started by Isaac Balsam
in 1903, and remained in business until 1955.
, permit the use of regular cows' milk in the United States and other countries with similar regulations when Cholov Yisroel is either not available or priced significantly higher. This is sometimes referred to as cholov stam, meaning "plain milk". On the other hand, many prominent Orthodox Rabbis actually forbid the use of milk that is not cholov yisroel under any circumstance as violation of a rabbinical prohibition . It was reasoned that if you lived in a remote area, with no real practical way to obtain cholov yisroel milk, and if you needed to consume it for health purposes, then one could reason that "cholov stam" is okay to drink. Today, many rely on this ruling as a way to drink non-cholov yisroel milk and consume cholov stam products (such as M&M candies) that are not required for health purposes. Being that there are varying opinions regarding if and when one is permitted to drink "cholov stam", a competent Rabbi should be consulted.
All dairy products made in the USA or countries where people eat "cholov stam", even when bearing a Kosher symbol, are most likely to be "cholov stam". Kosher certifications in such countries usually mark "cholov yisroel" in either English or Hebrew next to their kosher symbol. However, all products certified by the Star-K
are Cholov Yisroel. Kosher certification In Israel, kosher certifiers don’t usually mark “cholov yisroel” since it is the standard there--in fact, kosher dairy products in Israel that are not Cholov Yisroel need to be marked as such.
According to many views, Jews who wish to strive for a stricter observance of Jewish law will only consume dairy products that are supervised by a mashgiach
and are certified with the label: "Cholov Yisroel". The retention of the Cholov Yisroel system is also related to the retention of traditions/customs, a central part of Judaism. Kabalistic
reasons are also given for being strict concerning cholov yisroel; these are not based on the possibility of mixing non-kosher milk but on spiritual ramifications to drinking non-cholov yisroel .
Dairy
A dairy is a business enterprise established for the harvesting of animal milk—mostly from cows or goats, but also from buffalo, sheep, horses or camels —for human consumption. A dairy is typically located on a dedicated dairy farm or section of a multi-purpose farm that is concerned...
products, including cheese
Cheese
Cheese is a generic term for a diverse group of milk-based food products. Cheese is produced throughout the world in wide-ranging flavors, textures, and forms....
and non-fat dry milk powder, which have been produced under the supervision of a Rabbi.
Under Jewish halachic law, milk is kosher only if it comes from a kosher species of animal (such as cows and sheep) and milk from a non-kosher species (such as horses, and camels) is forbidden.
In the past it was not uncommon for farmers to mix the milk of their various herds together, unbeknownst to their customers. Since it was conceivable to have a farm selling a mixture of Kosher and non-Kosher milk, Rabbis issued an injunction against the use of milk from a non-Jewish farmer; such milk is referred to as chalav akum. The restriction did not apply if there was supervision of the milking process by a Jew until the milk was sold. The milk itself is automatically kosher (so long as it is 100% from a kosher animal, namely, a cow, sheep, goat, or other kosher mammal) but the Rabbis' decree served to protect people from potential dairy deception.
The first Cholov Yisroel dairy farm on the East Coast, and possibly in the United States, was started by Isaac Balsam
Isaac Balsam
Isaac Balsam started the first Chalav Yisrael dairy farm on the East Coast, and possibly in the United States. Balsam was born in Mielec , Poland, and was a Melitzer Chassid. He emigrated to the United States in 1898, lived initially with his uncle, Meyer Emmer, and worked on Emmer's dairy farm...
in 1903, and remained in business until 1955.
In the USA and other countries similar regulations
Nowadays, modern health standards (regulated by health organizations, such as the USDA) are intended to make sure that milk sold in stores labeled as "cows' milk" is 100% cows' milk. Therefore, many prominent Orthodox rabbinical authorities, all basing their subsequent decisions on the ruling of Rav Moshe FeinsteinMoshe Feinstein
Moshe Feinstein was a Lithuanian Orthodox rabbi, scholar and posek , who was world-renowned for his expertise in Halakha and was regarded by many as the de facto supreme halakhic authority for Orthodox Jewry of North America during his lifetime...
, permit the use of regular cows' milk in the United States and other countries with similar regulations when Cholov Yisroel is either not available or priced significantly higher. This is sometimes referred to as cholov stam, meaning "plain milk". On the other hand, many prominent Orthodox Rabbis actually forbid the use of milk that is not cholov yisroel under any circumstance as violation of a rabbinical prohibition . It was reasoned that if you lived in a remote area, with no real practical way to obtain cholov yisroel milk, and if you needed to consume it for health purposes, then one could reason that "cholov stam" is okay to drink. Today, many rely on this ruling as a way to drink non-cholov yisroel milk and consume cholov stam products (such as M&M candies) that are not required for health purposes. Being that there are varying opinions regarding if and when one is permitted to drink "cholov stam", a competent Rabbi should be consulted.
All dairy products made in the USA or countries where people eat "cholov stam", even when bearing a Kosher symbol, are most likely to be "cholov stam". Kosher certifications in such countries usually mark "cholov yisroel" in either English or Hebrew next to their kosher symbol. However, all products certified by the Star-K
Star-K
Star-K Kosher Certification, also known as the Vaad Hakashrus of Baltimore, is a kashrus certifying agency based in Baltimore, Maryland under the administration of Rabbi Moshe Heinemann, with the involvement of many other rabbis . It is one of the largest kashrus certification agencies in North...
are Cholov Yisroel. Kosher certification In Israel, kosher certifiers don’t usually mark “cholov yisroel” since it is the standard there--in fact, kosher dairy products in Israel that are not Cholov Yisroel need to be marked as such.
According to many views, Jews who wish to strive for a stricter observance of Jewish law will only consume dairy products that are supervised by a mashgiach
Mashgiach
In Judaism, a Mashgiach is a person who supervises the kashrut status of a kosher establishment.A mashgiah may supervise any type of food service establishment, including slaughterhouses, food manufacturers, hotels, caterers, nursing homes, restaurants, butchers, groceries, or cooperatives...
and are certified with the label: "Cholov Yisroel". The retention of the Cholov Yisroel system is also related to the retention of traditions/customs, a central part of Judaism. Kabalistic
Kabbalah
Kabbalah/Kabala is a discipline and school of thought concerned with the esoteric aspect of Rabbinic Judaism. It was systematized in 11th-13th century Hachmei Provence and Spain, and again after the Expulsion from Spain, in 16th century Ottoman Palestine...
reasons are also given for being strict concerning cholov yisroel; these are not based on the possibility of mixing non-kosher milk but on spiritual ramifications to drinking non-cholov yisroel .
See also
- Kosher foodsKosher foodsKosher foods are those that conform to the regulations of the Jewish Halakhic law framework, kosher meaning fit or allowed to be eaten. A list of some kosher foods are found in the book of Leviticus 11:1-47. There are also certain kosher rules found there...
- KashrutKashrutKashrut is the set of Jewish dietary laws. Food in accord with halakha is termed kosher in English, from the Ashkenazi pronunciation of the Hebrew term kashér , meaning "fit" Kashrut (also kashruth or kashrus) is the set of Jewish dietary laws. Food in accord with halakha (Jewish law) is termed...
- Bishul YisraelBishul YisraelBishul Yisrael is a Hebrew term for one of the laws of kashrut in Judaism. The rule prohibits eating certain foods if they are cooked entirely by non-Jews. The term bishul Yisrael is the opposite of bishul akum, , which the rule forbids...
- Kosher wineKosher wineKosher wine is grape wine produced according to Judaism's religious law, specifically, Jewish dietary laws .To be considered kosher, Sabbath-observant Jews must be involved in the entire winemaking process and any ingredients used, including finings, must be kosher...
- YoshonYoshonIn Judaism, Chodosh is a concept within Kashrut , based on the Biblical requirement not to eat any grain of the new year prior to the annual Omer offering on the 16th day of Nisan.Grain products which are no longer affected by this law are referred to as Yoshon .-The five types of...
- Pas YisroelPas YisroelPas Yisroel or Pat Yisrael products are grain-products that were cooked or baked with the participation of an observant Jew. This must be, at minimum, the ignition of the flame used to prepare, cook, or bake the grain product...