New from the Torah: Lenient rulings on yichud and kashruth

A person who keeps kosher can eat by a person who does not keep kosher, a man and woman may stay alone in a room in the workplace for work and close the door. Thus, contrary to the known Jewish law, Bet Hillel rulers, numbering more than 150 rabbis and female rabbis from the national religious public.

The organization is currently publishing a booklet which will be distributed in thousands of copies, and will deal with halachic rulings of the Beit Midrash Hillel, as the topics mentioned above.

According to rabbis and female rabbis of the organization, someone who keeps kosher can eat by a person who does not keep kosher, "since we are committed to keep the laws of kashrut," the explanatory notes. "There is no apparent place to eat by a person who does not keep kosher. However, we believe that the same Torah which commands us to keep kosher laws also commands us to sanctify the Name of Heaven in our conduct with our neighbors and our friends, since we are commanded to keep the unity of the people of Israel."

However, the puzzling halachic ruling is restricted by a series of regulations which must be kept, among other things, to heat the food in aluminum tins covered tightly with tin foil in the oven, or disposable plastic containers in a microwave. "If there is no such option, you can make it easier by eating the food in the oven or microwave in a glass bowl, which was not in use for 24 hours."

"In retrospect, if the foods were heated by mistake in the oven, microwave or in a toaster – which are not kosher: If the heating done in a disposable dish or in a glass bowl which have been in use before without coverage – it can be eaten, provided it is clear these devices were clean from leftover food or fat ".

One must ensure that the food will be served in disposables. One can facilitate by using metal cutlery for food temperature that is less than 45 degrees. If no disposable plates are available one can use regular plates provided that the food served on the plate is not hot.

Concerning relations between men and women in the workplace, "One may and it is polite to ask about the wellbeing of co-workers, between man and woman. Having a casual conversation between a man and a woman is allowed even if does not deal directly to work. However, one must not enter personal chats that have intimate dimension."

In addition to the laws determined by rabbis and female rabbis of the organization, "there is no prohibition in eating together at work. However, one must ensure proper conversation without frivolity." In addition, "one can and should offer a ride to work or back from it and there is no prohibition even when the passenger is sitting in the front seat."

"During working hours when there are many employees in the office, a man and a woman are allowed to stay alone in a room for work purposes, and can close the door but should not lock it, and office workers should know that there's no reason to enter without a knock on the door to request confirmation."

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!