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Question
Someone gave me a set of china dinnerware which they say has not been used for five years. I keep kosher. Can I use the dishes?
Answer
In matters of halaha, one should always seek out their own Rabbi's opinion
and insructions. Jay, seeing an email address at Columbia University, perhaps
you can walk up Broadway to 3080 Broadway and JTSA and speak with the Secretary
of the CJLS if you don't have a Rabbi.
I am going to follow the answers of the Committee on Jewish Law and
Standards in answering this question, where formal responsa are written and
presented for members of the Rabbinical Assembly to use as guidance in
answering questions. In addition to the formal responsa which are accepted,
rejected or a modified form may be accepted, there is also correspondence
from CJLS Chair that often has the legal status of an official Conservative
position.
Question
"Someone gave me a set of china dinnerware which they say has not been used
for five years. "
Answer
Personal correspondence of Chair was that if they had not been used for several
years, they can be considered as pareve since fine chine is non-absorbent.
Question
"Person says that they only use kosher meat but not sure of their Kashrut. What
can be done?"
Answer
Since it is five years, far more than several, they should be considered pareve
whether or not the meat met the standard of kashrut, since even dairy plates
after five years could be used for meat plates today. It would also appear that
one cannot"kasher" china by "hagalah" - boiling water - as one would glass that
is also a non-absorbent substance.
Again, check with your Rabbi as this is a very technical matter and there are
various opinions. I've followed the compiled rulings of the CJLS of the Conservative
Movement. Best Wishes,
Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner
Foundation for Family Education (FFFE)
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