Non-Jewish Cook for Elder Care

The Aish Rabbi Replies

There would definitely be an issue with that. Apart from the laws of kashrut themselves, there is a very early rabbinical decree known as bishul akum – forbidding eating food cooked by a non-Jew. The Sages forbade this in order to safeguard against Jews and non-Jews becoming too friendly and intermarrying. There are some exceptions to this rule: It only applies to relatively important foods, which would be served at a regal meal, and to foods which are inedible raw. Nevertheless, clearly, a Jew may not have a non-Jewish cook work for him on a regular basis.

Thus, in practice, you would need to hire a Jewish cook. It should be someone who is additionally observant and knowledgeable in the laws of kashrut. If this is not possible and your mother is active, she could help in the process of the food preparation – by doing such acts as turning on the flame or stirring the pot. Even if a Jew does a very minor act of preparation, the prohibition does not apply.

As I mentioned, there are some exceptions to this rule, such as foods which can be eaten without cooking. Thus, for example, if you do have non-Jewish help, they would be able to prepare coffee for your mother since the main part of the coffee is the water, and that of course can be drunk without cooking.

(Sources: Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 113:4; Pri Chadash Y.D. 114:6; Mishnah Halachot XII 16.)