05 May MARIS AYIN

The halachos of
maris ayin arise
quite frequently. For
example, one may
go into a kosher
supermarket and see
kosher shrimp with
excellent hashgachos.
It has become very
common today for
people to consume
surimi products. Real
shrimp is obviously not kosher since it does
not have the necessary simanim for a kosher
fish. Therefore, is there a problem of maris
ayin since people may see one eating this
product?
Can one use pareve creamer with coffee? Is
there a need to place the bottle next to the
coffee? There is a restaurant which recently
began making cheeseburgers using pareve
cheese. Is there a concern of maris ayin
while eating this, since people see that one

is eating them? Can one walk into a non-
kosher restaurant to use the bathroom? Is one

allowed to walk into a non-kosher restaurant
to meet with clients? Is there a concern of
maris ayin with a mashgiach walking into a
non-kosher restaurant in order to do reverse
certification? All these questions and others
will be discussed below.
What is Maris Ayin?
Some poskim say that if one is doing a
permitted act but it appears that it is forbidden
then there is maris ayin. Others say that if
one does something many times which may
be forbidden and now one is doing it in a
permitted manner, then there is maris ayin.
Harav Moshe Feinstein zt”l explains that
maris ayin means that someone thinks that one
violated something and mistakenly believes
that a prohibited act was done. However, it
does not include doing something permitted
that people may mistakenly think is forbidden
simply because they do not know the halacha.

What is Cheshad?
Some say cheshad refers to a situation where
an action could be interpreted either as
permitted or forbidden.
In Private
When something is not allowed because
of maris ayin, it is not permitted even in
private. Some say this applies only to matters
perceived as a biblical prohibition and not to
rabbinic ones.
Surimi
Surimi is a Japanese word referring to a food
product typically made from white-fleshed
fish that has been pulverized into a paste and

has a rubbery consistency when cooked. It is
used to imitate crab legs, lobster, and shrimp.
Eating Imitation Food
The Gemara says that Yalta, the wife of Rav
Nachman, stated that for every non-kosher
food there exists a kosher counterpart. In
response, her husband prepared one of these
foods for her. The purpose of this is to give
Klal Yisroel reward for refraining from
forbidden foods.
Rashi explains that one should not say, “I do
not desire pork,” but rather, “I desire it, but
I do not eat it because Hashem commanded
me not to.”
Based on this, one may eat kosher products
designed to replicate non-kosher foods, such
as surimi. Although some were concerned that
the packaging labels it “shrimp,” the custom
of many is to be lenient.
Milk from Almonds
The Rama writes that one who drinks almond
milk in the same meal as meat should place
some almonds next to him so there will be no
concern of maris ayin. Some extend this even
to chicken.
However, if this is not possible, one may still
consume the food without placing almonds on
the table. Some say this concern applies only

to large meals, while at home there is no need.
Pareve Creamer
The custom is that using pareve milk or
creamer is permitted. Eating chicken with
almond milk was not included in the original
gezeirah, and we do not extend maris ayin
concerns beyond what is stated in Chazal.
In addition, pareve milk is so common today
that no one assumes it is real milk in a coffee
with a meat meal.
Therefore, there is no need to place the bottle
of creamer on the table. One may also eat
pareve ice cream after a meat meal without
concern. Similarly, one may use pareve
margarine with meat or butter substitutes with meat alternatives.
However, in the presence of people unfamiliar
with these products, one should clarify what
is being used. If one is drinking an uncommon
pareve milk with meat, it is proper to display
it.
Kosher Cheeseburger
Many kosher restaurants like Smash House
make a “kosher cheeseburger” using pareve
cheese. To avoid maris ayin, the menu and
receipts should clearly state that it is made
with pareve cheese.
Walking into a Non-Kosher Restaurant One
opinion holds that it is forbidden to enter a
non-kosher restaurant because of maris ayin.
However, if one is hungry and has no other
option, one may enter and consume kosher
items such as coffee, since the concern is
overridden by significant need.
Based on this, one who has no other restroom
available may enter a non-kosher restaurant
for that purpose.
Others are lenient even when alternatives
exist.
Attending a Meeting in a Non-Kosher
Restaurant If a boss requires attendance at
a meeting in a non-kosher restaurant, one
may go if refusal would result in job loss.

Otherwise, one should avoid doing so and
consult a rav.
Entering a Cafeteria
If a cafeteria sells both kosher and non-kosher
food, one may purchase kosher items and
eat there, since it is widely known that such
places sell mixed food options.
Reverse Certification
A mashgiach may enter a non-kosher
establishment for reverse certification when
required by a hashgacha organization, as this
is considered necessary for his role.
Walking into a Coffee Shop
There is generally no maris ayin concern when
entering a coffee shop that sells both kosher
and non-kosher items, since it is understood
that kosher products are available. However,
entering a store that sells only non-kosher
items would be problematic.
Other Cases of Maris Ayin
Entering a Reform Temple
One may not enter a Reform temple during

prayer time to daven in an Orthodox-
designated room, since observers may be

misled about the permissibility of such
practice.
Driving after Candle Lighting
It is common for a man to drive to shul shortly
after his wife lights candles. This is permitted
and not considered maris ayin, since it is well
known that this is allowed for a certain time
period after lighting.
Water Sprinkler on Shabbos
A sprinkler may be set before Shabbos to run
during Shabbos. However, some say it should
only be used where it is not visible to the
public, while others permit even in front of
the house.
Non-Leather Shoes on Yom Kippur
Some opinions prohibit wearing non-leather
shoes that closely resemble leather shoes due
to maris ayin.
Human Blood
Eating human blood that has separated from
the body is prohibited due to maris ayin.
Blood still in the mouth may be swallowed,
but once outside the mouth it is not permitted.
Some allow spitting out blood from a wound.
Blood on food must be removed before eating.
Staying at a Widow’s Home
There is no concern of maris ayin if a man
stays at a widow’s home when she is away,
since there are multiple ways to avoid yichud
and no assumption of wrongdoing is made.
Conclusion
One must be careful with maris ayin and how
actions may be perceived.
The Gemara teaches that one should act in a
way that causes others to say, “Fortunate is his
father and rebbe who taught him Torah.” Every
action should be done in a way that brings
about Kiddush Hashem and causes others to
recognize the beauty of a frum lifestyle.