Hey, Rabbi! How Can McDonald's be Kosher? #judaism #torah #kosher #mcdonalds

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. _____________ Question asked by: Reena Freedman Watts (Houston, Texas) To be featured on an upcoming Hey Rabbi Episode, email your video question to: [email protected] Released as Podcast on January 4, 2026 _____________ Listen, Subscribe & Share: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hey-rabbi/id1865828877 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6S25uIqdQEALtKQQ6eeRzA _____________ 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: [email protected] _____________ Support Our Mission: Help us share Jewish wisdom globally by sponsoring an episode at torchweb.org. Your support makes a difference! _____________ Listen More Other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: NEW!! Hey Rabbi! Podcast: https://heyrabbi.transistor.fm/episodes Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodes Jewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodes Parsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodes Living Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodes Thinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodes Unboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodes Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodes For a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at http://podcast.torchweb.org _____________ Keywords: #heyrabbi #Chosen, #AmYisroel, #Torah, #Sinai, #Jewish, #Choice, #Identity