Rabbi Yoel Lieberman
Question
Please help us to solve the situation. Our non-Jewish friends which had come to our area for a trip are now leaving and would like to give us several things they can’t take with them back home. Among these things there is a plastic bottle of dishwashing liquid which has a beak (the liquid goes out when the beak is pressed). The beak is also made of plastic. I myseld saw these friends touching the beak with fingers stained with remnants of a fried non-cosher meat (turkey, not spiced) which they fried themselves (bishul akum, non-kosher meat). So we have two questions: 1. What should be done (if anything can be) with the bottle and/or with the beak to make it allowed for use by an observing Jew? 2. What precautions should be taken while using this bottle (if it’s permitted to use it) by an observing Jew? Thanks a lot in advance for any help. We would be also very grateful if you’ll find a time to answer the question before this Shabbat since our friends are leaving on Sunday. The bottle is rather large and would save us some money, it could be used for at least 2-3 months.
Answer
From what I undersdtand, the beak was only touched by greasy hands and did not come in contact with hot substances. If that is the case, the beak should be thoroughly cleaned and is permitted for Kosher use.
Read more
