DACOR and

THE KOSHER KITCHENBy Rhonda Chen &

Leah Renah

KOSHER 101

WHAT IS KOSHER?

Kosher - is an adaptation of the Hebrew word meaning “fit” or “proper.” It refers to foodstuffs that meet the dietary requirements of Jewish law.

The tenets of Kashruth (kosher dietary laws) are rooted in the written and oral Torah (The Bible). In the post-biblical era, the rabbis elaborated upon these laws to determine which foods are acceptable and conform to the Jewish code. (Leviticus 11.1-46)

Keeping kosher is an intrinsic part of the daily life of a Jew. Understanding the fundamentals of kashruth is basic to the functioning of the Jewish home.

The barometer of kosher and non-kosher depends on two variables: the source of the ingredients and the status of the production equipment. Kosher certification, which is the guarantee that the food and equipment used meets kosher requirements, revolves around both these criteria.

Kosher food is divided into three(3) categories: Meat, Dairy, and Pareve. One of the basic principles of kashruth is the total separation of meat and dairy products. Meat and dairy may not be cooked or eaten together. To ensure this, the kosher kitchen contains separate sets of dishes, utensils, cookware, and separate preparation areas for meat and dairy. A third category, pareve, is comprised of foods which are neither meat nor dairy.

WHAT IS KOSHER ? cont’d…

Meat (fleishig) and Dairy (milchig): In keeping with the total separation of meat and dairy required in the kosher kitchen, separate sets of dishes, pots, silverware, serving dishes, bread trays and salt shakers are also needed. Other necessities are separate sets of draining boards, draining racks, dish sponges, scouring pads, dish towels, and tablecloths.

MEAT and DAIRY

A very practical and widespread practice in Jewish homes is to plan the different sets of meat and dairy utensils around a color scheme. A traditional example is red for meat, blue for dairy, as well as green for pareve. Draining racks, sponges and dishtowels are key elements in this color system.

The separation of meat and dairy must be maintained throughout the kitchen. It is therefore good to have two of everything (i.e. Ovens, Cooktops, Dishwashers, Sinks and Cooking Surfaces).

Meat and dairy foods may not be prepared, cooked, or eaten together.

“You shall not boil a kid in milk of its mother.” (Exodus 23:19)

JEWISH HOLIDAYS

THE HOLIDAYS

Sabbath (Exodus 20:8-11)

Rosh Hashana (Numbers 29:1-6)

Yom Kippur (Numbers 29:7-11)

Sukkot (Numbers 29:12-16)

Chanukah

Tu B’Shvat

Purim

Passover (Numbers 28:16-25)

Shavuot

Tzom Tammuz

Tisha B’Av

Rosh Chodesh

SABBATH (Shabbat)

Sabbath is the holiest day in the Jewish calendar and it is also a holiday that happens each week, Friday night at sundown to Saturday night at sundown.

“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy…in it you shall not do any work.” Exodus 20:8-11

There are 39 categories of "work" that are prohibited on the Sabbath.  These are called "Melachah".

1) Carrying2) Burning3) Extinguishing4) Finishing5) Writing6) Erasing7) Cooking8) Washing9) Sewing10) Tearing11) Knotting12) Untying13) Shaping

14) Plowing15) Planting16) Reaping17) Harvesting18) Threshing19) Winnowing20) Selecting21) Sifting22) Grinding23) Kneading24) Combing25) Spinning26) Dyeing

29) Chain Stitching30) Warping31) Weaving32) Unraveling33) Building34) Demolishing35) Trapping36) Shearing37) Slaughtering38) Skinning39) Tanning40) Smoothing41) Marking

THE 39 THINGS NOT TO DO ON SABBATH

These categories are:

BURNING This is a category of work mentioned specifically in the Torah, (Ex. 35:3), “You shall not light a fire at home on the Sabbath day.”

EXTINGUISHING

This involves making a fire or causing anything to burn.

In general, any use of electricity violates the spirit of the Sabbath, since it involves extracting energy from nature. According to many authorities, electricity has the same status as fire with regard to the Sabbath. The practice of all observant Jews is to avoid turning any electrical appliance on or off.

This includes extinguishing or lowering a flame in any way. As such, it is the opposite of burning.

For example, one may not turn down the gas on a stove or heater on Shabbat. Similarly, it is forbidden to turn off the lights or any other electrical appliance.

The Sabbath, however, may be violated wherever there is any possible danger to human life. In the case of a fire, anything necessary must be done where life may be endangered.

COOKING

This includes all forms of cooking and baking. Boiling water also falls under this category.

The prohibition against cooking does not prevent Jews from eating hot food on the Shabbat. In fact, part of the Sabbath joy consists of eating hot food. However, this must be prepared in such a manner that no act of cooking actually takes place on the

Sabbath.

WHY BE “KOSHER CERTIFIED?”

THE GLOBAL DEMAND FOR KOSHER

(Data compiled by Integrated Marketing Communications, Inc.)

Interesting facts about the Kosher market

The Kosher market is growing at an annual rate of 15%

In order to meet this demand, companies throughout the world are seeking kosher certification to expand their existing market and enhance sales strategies, as well as giving their products a competitive edge.

Going kosher is an investment your company makes in order to increase their market reach and share.

Nearly 10,000 companies produce products for the kosher market.

Approximately 3,000 new kosher products are introduced annually

There are over 75,000 different kosher food products.

Consumers spend approximately $165 billion on kosher products vs. $25 million 25 years ago.

MARKS OF QUALITY ASSURANCE

(Data compiled by Integrated Marketing Communications, Inc.)

The “Kosher seal” is equivalent to what the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval meant in the 1950’s.

Consumers who believe kosher is better, comprise 25% of the market.

Health conscious people see “benefits in the quality control and lack of additives” in kosher foods.

The kosher symbol, with the monitoring and care it represents, ensures the highest quality standards to the largest and most diverse consumer audience.

WHO BUYS KOSHER?

(Data compiled by Integrated Marketing Communications, Inc.)

Jewish, Islamic, Seventh Day Adventists and other Christian communities have dietary restrictions similar to Judaism; Lactose intolerant individuals and vegetarians.

Vegetarians: Kosher symbols plus the “Pareve” designation guarantees that the product contains no meat or dairy.

Millions of Muslims throughout the world follow a dietary regimen similar to the kosher code.

Lactose Intolerants: Need to identify products that have dairy in them. Kosher law requires complete segregation between meat and milk. Thus, products containing a dairy ingredient must bear the kosher symbol with the letter “D” or state the word “Dairy.”

DACORand STAR-K

DACOR APPLIANCES THAT ARE STAR-K CERTIFIED AND SABBATH COMPLIANT:

• Gas Cooktops

• Gas Grills

• Electric Built-In Ovens

• Electric Cooktops (select models)

• Ranges (Electric and Gas)

• Warming Ovens

* Use of these items must follow Jewish law pertaining to these days.

Some of the appliances listed below may be used* on the Sabbath or Jewish High Holidays…

Microwaves cannot be used on Sabbath or Jewish High Holidays.

Dishwashers may not be put on a timer for use on either the Sabbath or High Holidays.

SABBATH CONSIDERATIONS

1) No adjustment to the temperature is permitted on the Sabbath even in the Sabbath Mode.

2) All food must be fully cooked and placed in the oven before the Sabbath begins. No food (cooked or non-cooked) may be placed into the oven on Sabbath to re-warm or cook. This is true regarding ovens or warming drawers.

3) On Sabbath, for a thermostatically controlled oven that is running (as opposed to one shut off by timed bake), the door may be opened once at any time and all the food removed at that time. The oven may not be used any further for that Sabbath.

4) The controls of an oven that is left on for Sabbath (or part of the Sabbath with a timed bake) should be covered with something like a piece of aluminum foil.

There are certain restrictions in the use of ovens and stoves on the Sabbath and Holidays. If you are ever unfamiliar with any of the laws of keeping food warm on the Sabbath or cooking on the holidays, you should call a Rabbi. Also note, when a holiday and Sabbath coincide, the Sabbath laws prevail.

The following is a list of general considerations for oven use on the Sabbath:

DACOR GAS COOKTOPS/GRILLS

1) On Sabbath, a flame may not be initiated, adjusted or turned off.

2) On Sabbath, a “blech” should be used to cover the flame in addition to covering the controls.

3) Cabinets holding gas cooktops should be vented properly. This should minimize the possibility of the flame blowing out under the “blech” when drawers are closed. Even then, drawers and doors should be moved slowly near the “blech.”

4) On Yom Tov, an existing flame may be raised or lowered for cooking requirements. However, a flame may not be initiated or turned completely off on Yom Tov.

* When adjusting the flame of these models on Yom Tov, the front burners must either be left in the simmer setting or out of the simmer setting, since transitioning between simmer and non-simmer causes an indicator light to go on/off.

5) These gas cooktops will remain on during a power failure.

Model Numbers:SGM 304, 365, 466, 464GGESG 366, 486EOG 36, 52PGM 304*, 365*

DACOR ELECTRIC BUILT-IN OVENS

1) The oven temperatures may not be initiated, adjusted or turned off on the Sabbath OR the holidays.

2) On Sabbath, in lieu of a “blech,” the oven controls should be covered. (Be careful not to cover vent openings.)

3) On the Sabbath, the oven door may only be opened once, all the food removed and then closed. On the Holidays, the oven door may be opened/closed at any time as often as desired.

4) These ovens often have a timed bake feature. Timed bake will hold the requested temperature for the requested time. At the end of the requested time, the oven beeps three times, holds 150 degrees for another two hours and then shuts off completely. While the oven is operating, the oven door may be opened once, all the food taken out and then closed. At the end of the two hour hold period, the oven may be opened/closed at will. This applies only to the Sabbath, whereas on the holidays, the oven door may be opened/closed at any time as often as desired.

Model Numbers:PCS 127,227, 130, 230PCD 227, 230ECD 227, 230MCS 127, 227, 130, 230MCD 227, 230ECS 127, 227, 130, 136, 230

DACOR ELECTRIC COOKTOPS

2) On Sabbath, a “blech” should be used. It is recommended not putting a “blech” on the glass surface. Instead, just the controls should be covered.

3) On Yom Tov, electric heat may not be initiated. However, for cooking requirements, once on, the temperature may be raised when the ribbon heating element cycles to full glow. Lowering the temperature is permitted at any time if required for food preparation. (Practice adjustments on the electric cooktops before Yom Tov.)

4) If a power failure occurs, the cooktop will recover to the set temperature when the power returns.

1) On Sabbath, electric heat may not be initiated, adjusted or turned off.

5) The glass electric cooktop cannot be kashered for Passover. For the rest of the year, be sure to wipe the cooking surface clean between meat and dairy use.

Model Numbers:CER 304, 365CERB 365

DACOR RANGES

2) On Sabbath, a “blech” should be used to cover the flame in addition to covering the controls. For the gas burners use a standard “blech.” It is recommended not to put a “blech” on the glass surface for the electric burners. Instead, just the controls should be covered.

3) On Yom Tov, an existing gas flame may be raised or lowered for cooking requirements. However, a gas flame may not be initiated or turned completely off. The electric part of the cooktop may not be turned on. However, for cooking requirements, once on, the temperature for the electric part of the cooktop may be raised when the ribbon heating element cycles to full glow. Lowering the temperature is permitted at any time if required for food preparation. (Practice adjustments on the electric cooktop before Yom Tov.)

4) During a power failure, gas cooktops the flame will remain on, whereas electric cooktops will recover to the set temperature when the power returns.

1) On Sabbath, a gas flame or electric heat may not be initiated, adjusted or turned off.

5) The glass electric cooktop cannot be kashered for Passover. For the rest of the year, be sure to wipe the cooking surface clean between meat and dairy use.

Model Numbers:(RSE 30)RSD 30(PGR 30)ERD 30, 36, 48, 60ERDE 36, 48EGR 30

COOKTOPS:

DACOR RANGES cont’d…

1) The oven temperature may not be initiated, adjusted or turned off on the Sabbath OR the holidays.

OVENS:

2) On Sabbath, in lieu of a “blech,” the oven controls should be covered. (Be careful not to cover vent openings.)

3) All food should be placed in the oven before Sabbath begins, since none may be placed in the oven during the Sabbath.

4) On the Sabbath, the oven door may only be opened once, all the food removed and then closed. On the Holidays, the oven door may be opened/closed at any time as often as desired.

5) These ovens often have a timed bake feature. Timed bake will hold the requested temperature for the requested time. At the end of the requested time, the oven beeps three times, holds 150 degrees for another two hours and then shuts off completely. While the oven is operating, the oven door may be opened once, all the food taken out and then closed. At the end of the two hour hold period, the oven may be opened/closed at will. This applies only to the Sabbath, whereas on the holidays, the oven door may be opened/closed at any time as often as desired.

6) After recovery from a power failure, all these ovens will stay off.

Model Numbers:RSE 30RSD 30PGR 30ERD 30, 36, 48, 60ERDE 36, 48EGR 30

DACOR WARMING OVENS

1) The oven temperature may not be initiated, adjusted or turned off on the Sabbath.

2) On Sabbath, in lieu of a “blech,” the over controls should be covered. (Be careful not to cover vent openings.)

3) All food should be placed in the warming oven before Sabbath begins, as in a regular oven, since none may be placed in the warming oven during the Sabbath.

4) On the Sabbath, the oven door may only be opened once, all the food removed and then closed. When the timer is used, the oven door may be opened/closed at will once the timer shuts off. On the holidays the oven door may be opened/closed at any time as often as desired.

5) On Yom Tov, as required for food preparation, the temperature may be raised when the indicator light is on and lowered when it is off. The temperature may not be initiated, but it may be turned off when the indicator light is off. Once off, it may not be turned on again.

6) The timer can only be initiated before the Sabbath/holiday. Once the timer goes off, the warming oven cannot be used again for that Sabbath/holidays.

7) If a power failure occurs, the oven will recover to the set temperature when the power returns.

Model Numbers:PWO 24, 27, 30EWO 24, 27, 30MWO 27, 30IWO 24, 27IOWO 24

NEW DACOR OVEN PRODUCTS

Model Numbers:MOV 230,130MOH 230, 130EO 230, 130

SABBATH (MODE) – The Sabbath settings comply with use on Sabbath and Holy Days. Modes available in this setting are Bake and Pure Convection. If using the Pure Convection mode, the convection fan will remain on when the oven door is opened. This setting will also override the oven lights, meaning that the lights will remain on or off when the door is opened.

1) The oven temperatures may not be initiated, adjusted or turned off on the Sabbath.

2) On Sabbath, the oven controls should be covered.

3) On the Sabbath, the oven door may only be opened once, all the food removed and then closed. On the Holidays, the oven door may be opened/closed at any time as often as desired.

General Information/Questions:

NEW DACOR OVEN PRODUCTS

General Information/Questions Cont’d…

On Sabbath (Mode), why is there an option to change the temperature 25° hotter or 25° cooler? – On certain holy days, the temperature may be changed as long as the control panel does not change. This dates back to “stoking the fire.” You can add logs to the fire to keep it going. (A flame may be started from another flame). The consumer will need to remember how many times they tap the cooler 25° or hotter 25° because it will not show on the control panel, nor will it make any type of tone when the button is pressed. Typically, they will place a hanging oven thermometer in the oven to determine the temperature.

What modes are available in Sabbath? Bake and Pure Convection.

What is the randomizer in Sabbath? As the oven door opens, heat escapes and the elements will turn on to recover the heat loss. The randomizer that is built into the oven will randomly select how many seconds after the oven door is shut to come on. This prevents the user from violating laws for use on the Sabbath. The randomizer will turn the elements on anywhere from 16-30 seconds and will change each time.

NEW DACOR OVEN PRODUCTS

General Information/Questions Cont’d…

The Sabbath Feature

The Sabbath mode on your oven complies with Jewish laws for use on the Sabbath and High Holidays. This feature allows the oven to perform 2 types of cooking, BAKE and PURE CONVECTION™. The settings the oven will run during the Sabbath or High Holidays can be set in advance using the DELAY OPTIONS feature.

When the oven is set to Sabbath, it disables the following features:

• The Oven Lights• The Meat Probe• The Number Keypad (including the light switch)• The TIMER Key• The BACK/RECALL Key• The START Key• The sleep feature is turned off so that the display is always visible.

How does the delay timed settings work? You can set the Delay/time cooking options to:Start the oven immediately and turn it off at a certain time of day (stop time).Start the oven immediately ad turn it off after a set amount of time (duration time).Start the oven at a later time (delay start) and turn it off at a certain time of day (stop time).Start the oven at a later time (delay start) and turn it off after a set amount of time (duration time). Start the oven at a later time (delay start) with no turn off time.

Note: Appliance list may not be complete.