Welcome back to _Keeping It Kosher,_ where Rabbi Ezra Sarna takes listeners behind the scenes of the kosher industry. This week, he’s joined by Rabbi Avrohom Gordimer, the OU’s resident dairy expert, for a fascinating deep dive into the world of kosher cheese.
From halacha to food science to the realities of factory supervision, this episode explores what makes cheese one of the most complex products in kashrus.
In this episode:
* *The Halacha of Cheese:* Why cheese has stricter kosher requirements than milk (Gevinas Yisroel), and how ancient concerns still matter today
* *Life on the Factory Floor:* What it takes to supervise kosher cheese production around the clock, including mashgichim stationed on-site year-round
* *The Science of Whey:* Why whey has a different status and how shared equipment can impact its kashrus
* *Waiting After Cheese:* Why aged cheeses require a waiting period before eating meat
Whether you’re getting ready for Shavuos or simply curious about how kosher cheese is made, this episode offers an eye-opening look at the halacha, science, and dedication behind every slice.
Be sure to like, subscribe, and share.
Have a topic you’d like us to cover next? Let us know in the comments.
00:00 – 01:15 Intro
01:15 – 4:56 Gevinas Akum
4:56 – 8:30 Cheese Mashgichim
8:30 – 11:05 The Cheesemaking Process
11:05 – 14:20 Becoming OU Kosher’s Cheese Expert
14:20 – 15:30 The Halachic Definition of Cheese
15:30 – 22:58 Inside the Cheese Factory
22:58 – 26:42 Understanding Whey
26:42 – 28:47 Finding Inspiration in Cheese
28:47 – 33:51 Waiting After Dairy
33:51 – 34:47 Ending