Questions:
1. Do you rely on regular Glatt Kosher meat (Beit Yosef, etc.) that is rinsed and salted, or do you consider it not enough like the Rambam because Halitta was not done?
2. Would Chicken fall into this category as well or is there more room to be lenient? Is it true that BBQing the meat makes it good even according to Rambam as well?
3. If Halitta is required, what would be the status of the dishes and parve foods cooked with meat which was salted and rinsed but did not undergo Halitta? Would they require kashering?
Answers:
1. There is no problem whatever with meat that was rinsed, salted and rinsed again. One should use coarse salt, or both coarse and fine salt together. It is sufficient for the meat to remain covered in salt for 18 minutes. Halitta (placing the meat, after salting and rinsing, into boiling water) mentioned by Rambam z”l (Maakhaloth Asuroth 6:10) is not essential; this is
the view of all Rishonim with the exception of Rambam. The source for Rambam's stipulation
was unclear to the Rishonim and remains so.
2. The above applies to both red meat and poultry. It is true that according to Rambam, Halitta is necessary only if one wishes to cook the meat in a pot. For a BBQ, according to Rambam, one salts the meat and can then immediately place it over the coals. According to other Pos'qim one may BBQ without salting, and it is possible that Rambam agrees (and mentioned salting only because this is the normal way of things in order that the meat be tasty).
3. As mentioned above, Halitta is not essential. The issues mentioned in #3 are, therefore, non-issues.
For the record: I am not a “Rambamist”, i.e. I do not necessarily accept every statement in Rambam's Mishne Torah. While it is certainly true that 85% of the time my Halakhic position is identical or similar to that of Rambam z”l, I will deviate from Rambam's position where I consider this to be called for based on an in-depth analysis of all relevant sources and opinions.
Am Yisrael has produced many great Hakhamim. We need to be conversant with all views and approaches before making an Halakhic decision. Having said that, the following well-known statement is profoundly true: “MiMoshe w‟adh Moshe, lo qam k‟Moshe” (“From Moses to Moses, none has arisen like Moses”).
Monday, 20 September 2010