In this quick Jewish Inspiration exchange, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe explains why there's no kosher McDonald's in the U.S. (unlike Israel): kosher meat requires not just a kosher animal, but proper ritual slaughter (shechita), soaking, washing, and salting to remove blood—a labor-intensive process making it significantly more expensive than non-kosher meat. A fully kosher McDonald's would need all ingredients and equipment kosher-certified, with no cross-contamination. While technically possible, the rabbi doubts profitability (e.g., kosher McNuggets couldn't sell cheaply). Ultimately, it boils down to demand and economics—if profitable, it could happen.
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Question asked by: Reena Freedman Watts (Houston, Texas)
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Released as Podcast on January 4, 2026
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About the Host:Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life. To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback, please email:
awolbe@torchweb.org_____________
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Keywords:
#heyrabbi, #Kosher, #McDonalds, #Meat, #Shechita, #JewishFood, #KosherLaws, #Halacha, #FastFood, #RabbiExplains, #JewishDiet
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