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)
To be featured on an upcoming Hey Rabbi Episode, email your video question to: heyrabbi@torchweb.org

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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Other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe:

• NEW!! Hey Rabbi! Podcast: https://heyrabbi.transistor.fm/episodes
• Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodes
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• 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
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Keywords:
#heyrabbi, #Kosher, #McDonalds, #Meat, #Shechita, #JewishFood, #KosherLaws, #Halacha, #FastFood, #RabbiExplains, #JewishDiet