Igniting an Oven from Afar

Question

Greetings, regarding the issue of non-Jewish cooking, the author of the Shulchan Aruch and the Remo disagreed on whether a Jew's ignition of the fire upon which the food is cooked renders the food Jewish (and thus permitted; cooked food prepared solely by a non-Jew is forbidden). In the commentary of the Vilna Gaon, it is implied that in an oven, just lighting it is enough because “his power is like his body” (that is, a direct result of his action is considered an action of his body), and “his fire is considered his arrow” (that is, a fire ignited by a person is considered his own direct action). Hence, today there are places where only the kashruth supervisor can ignite the fire from afar [from his home] via the internet and so on. Is this effective for making this food permitted?

Answer

Dear …!
Indeed, remote ignition is as effective as ignition by hand.

Source

See the book 'Mishmeres HaBayis' (by Rabbi Moshe Karp, pg. 31)

Comments

Have an additional question on this topic or need clarification? Leave your comment below. (Please note that the comment will not be published but will be sent directly to the answering Rabbi for review and a private response)

Please sign up or log in to submit your comment

Become our partners in supporting and spreading the Torah. Help us answer more questions faster and better.
Next
More questions in this category