Rabbi Donneal Epstein is an expert in the practical halachos of kosher travel, helping people navigate the real-world questions that arise on the road. He also oversees new companies at the OU, bringing years of experience applying halacha to modern-day situations.

In this episode, we cover:

*The Highway Coffee Run*
• Why it’s a common practice to get black coffee at non-certified rest stops, and how the halacha of _Stam Keilim_ applies.

*Airbnb Kitchens*
• The practical rules for using rental microwaves, kettles, and glass top stoves, plus why double-wrapping in plastic is safer than using paper towels.

*The Shabbos Dateline*
• The fascinating halachic debate over where the international dateline falls, and why traveling to places like Hawaii or Scandinavia over Shabbos can be complicated.

*Hotel Room Dilemmas*
• From in-room coffee makers to automatic hallway lights and electronic key cards on Shabbos, we cover the practical halachic questions that can arise during a hotel stay.

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Learn more at:
https://keepingitkosher.org/

00:00 – 1:30 Intro
1:30 – 5:06 Preparing for Trips & Checking for Hechshers
5:06 – 6:57 Hotel Coffee Machines
6:57 – 11:00 Stam Keilim
11:00 – 11:25 Slurpees and Fountain Sodas
11:25 – 16:13 Airbnb and Home Rentals
16:13 – 19:42 The Halachic Dateline
19:42 – 22:50 Rabbi Epstein’s Background
22:50 – 24:00 The Blessing Misconception
24:00 – 28:25 Onboarding New Companies
28:25 – 30:24 Hotels on Shabbat
30:24 – 30:42 Craziest Question
30:42 – 31:59 Dual Line Factories