Hi Rabbi. I read your piece about bishul akum and I am a bit confused as to the status of rice or pasta. Rice or pasta would fall under bishul akum prohibition becuase it cannot be eaten raw and is fit to be on a kings table. Assuming that i check to make sure that it is prepared in a vegetarian friendly manner, in a hotel or a catered event how would that be permissible? A hotel or a catered event wouldn’t qualify for commercially produced, correct?
First of all, pasta falls under the category of “Pat Akum,” not Bishul Akum, because it is a mezonot product made from the five grains. Just as commercially baked bread (“Pat Palter”) is permitted, commercially prepared pasta is also permitted. It does not have to be packaged supermarket pasta specifically; even when served in a restaurant, hotel, or catered event, it is still considered commercially prepared food and is not a Bishul Akum issue.
Rice is more complicated because it is not considered Pat. However, in hotels, catered events, and similar settings, there are still grounds for leniency. Nowadays the food is generally prepared by employees in a commercial kitchen rather than by a personal cook preparing a meal in a private home. In addition, many Poskim distinguish between classic Bishul Akum and modern industrial or commercial food preparation.
Each factor alone may not necessarily be enough to permit it. However, in Halachic psak we often rely on a “צירוף” — a combination of multiple supporting considerations — particularly regarding Rabbinic prohibitions. Therefore, together with checking that the ingredients themselves are acceptable, there is room to be lenient in these situations. Additionally, any time there is a safek, we would say safek derabanan l’kulah.