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May one own non-Kosher food in his home?
A kosher home will occasionally end up with food that cannot be eaten. Perhaps a product was purchased and later discovered to be non-kosher, an ingredient was found to contain insects, or bread was determined to be prohibited. Another extremely common case occurs after baking Challah: the separated piece of Hafrashas Challah is wrapped and placed in the freezer with the intention of eventually burning it, sometimes remaining there for many months.
This raises a question that goes beyond whether the food may be eaten: May prohibited food simply remain in a Jewish home indefinitely if everyone knows that it is non-kosher and has no intention of eating it?
The Poskim establish an important safeguard in this area. Food that is forbidden to be eaten should not ordinarily be kept in one’s home for an extended period, due to the concern that it may eventually be eaten by mistake. The prohibition does not necessarily require immediate disposal, however, and the amount of time involved, as well as the particular type of prohibited food, can affect the ruling.
- Keeping Non-Kosher Food in the Home[1]
It is forbidden to own non-Kosher food in one’s home for a long period of time, due to fear one may come to eat the food. The food is thus to be discarded.
- How long may the non-Kosher food remain in one’s home?[2]
All non-Kosher foods may remain in one’s home for a short period, which is between one to two months. This however is with exception to Chametz on Pesach which may not be owned at all, even for a short time, even if owning it does not transgress Baal Yiraeh Ubaal Yimatzeh [such as if he did Bittul and it is less than a Kezayis].[3]
- Non-Kosher Bread:
Some Poskim[4] rule that non-Kosher bread [such as bread that was made with wormy flour] may not be kept at home for even a small amount of time.[5] Other Poskim[6] however are lenient, and so is implied to be the opinion of Admur.[7]
- May one leave their Hafrashas Challah in the freezer and save it to burn by Biur Chametz?
As stated above, it is forbidden to leave nonkosher food in one’s home for more than one-two months.[8] Accordingly, it is understood that it is forbidden for one to leave the separated piece of Hafrashas Challah in the freezer for more than one to two months. Furthermore, according to some Poskim[9], it is forbidden to do so for any amount of time and it must be discarded right away.
Practical Examples
A product discovered to be non-kosher:
A family discovers that a packaged food in its pantry is not kosher and puts it aside temporarily while deciding how to dispose of it. Ordinary non-kosher food may remain temporarily, but should not be retained indefinitely.
Bread made from worm-infested flour:
After bread has been baked, it is discovered that the flour had a kashrus problem rendering the bread prohibited. According to the Taz, because bread is particularly susceptible to being confused with permissible bread, it should not be kept even temporarily. Other Poskim are more lenient regarding temporary retention.
Hafrashas Challah in the freezer:
A piece of separated Challah was wrapped and placed in the freezer in January with the intention of burning it before Pesach several months later. One should not leave it there for the entire period merely for convenience. The cited practical ruling limits retention to approximately one to two months, while according to the stringent opinion regarding bread it should be disposed of earlier.
Practical Summary
| Case | Practical Ruling |
| Ordinary non-kosher food | May remain temporarily, but should not be retained for an extended period |
| Approximately one to two months | Considered a short period in the cited ruling for ordinary non-kosher food |
| Non-kosher bread | Disputed; some require prompt disposal because of the greater danger of confusion |
| Hafrashas Challah in the freezer | Should not be accumulated for more than approximately one to two months; some are stringent even for a shorter period |
| Saving Hafrashas Challah for many months until Biur Chametz | Should not be done under the cited ruling |
| Chametz during Pesach | Subject to its own stricter rules and is not governed by the ordinary temporary-retention allowance |
[1] Michaber Y.D. 57:20; Shach 84:17; Taz Y.D. 84:7; Rashal Perek Eilu Treifos 125, brought in Taz and Shach ibid; Admur 435:4; 447:1; Kuntrus Acharon 446:1
[2] Admur 447:1; See Shach 57:47 “21 days is a short time”; Michaber ibid “12 months”
[3] The reason: Since one is accustomed to eating Chametz throughout the year one is to suspect one may come to eat it even if it is left in home for a short time. [Admur 447:1]
[4] Taz ibid
[5] The reason: As there is high chance of a mistake occurring being that people eat bread all the time and a mix up may occur. [Taz ibid]
[6] Rashal, brought in Taz ibid; Implication of Shach 84:17
[7] As Admur 447:1 rules that “all non-Kosher may remain for 1-2 months” and that “Chametz is an exception to the rule due to its stringencies and one is not to learn from it to other places”
[8] Admur 447:1
[9] Taz ibid regarding wormy bread, and seemingly the same would apply to Hafrashas Challah that is already baked [such as one who separated after baking], and perhaps even towards dough. Vetzaruch Iyun.