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While most stamps are now self-adhesive, most envelopes still require moistening the adhesive in order to seal it. Is it a kashrus problem to lick the envelope's adhesive?

Bruce James
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Per dinonline there is no Kashrus concern with licking an envelope.

Per Halacha Berura - Rabbi Belsky - Page 3 there is no concern during the year, however on Pesach one should be stringent since the paste may contain wheat starch.

Gershon Gold
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    Why should wheat starch matter? If it isn't food, then it isn't food. – Double AA Dec 31 '12 at 15:05
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    @GershonGold, then why does its food status not matter the rest of the year? – Seth J Dec 31 '12 at 15:14
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    @SethJ If you look at the link it explains that there is no Tarfus, however there is a wheat starch – Gershon Gold Dec 31 '12 at 15:16
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    So he's saying it is food all year, just it is usually made of kosher ingredients. That's pretty strange, as your first link says, because the taste is clearly pagum, nor are you trying to eat it. – Double AA Dec 31 '12 at 15:17
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    The first link disagrees with the reasoning of the second link, however they both agree that it is allowed during the year. They disagree regarding Pesach. – Gershon Gold Dec 31 '12 at 15:18
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    @GershonGold, is he assuring then that it is impossible to purchase Treif envelopes? That the ingredients and processing are inherently Kosher? I find that strange. How can this be assured without supervision? Does it all come from one plant whose processes have been observed? – Seth J Dec 31 '12 at 16:04
  • I also don't understand this quote: "On Pesach, however, one should be stringent in this regard and wet [envelopes and stamps] in a different manner, since many pastes contain wheat starch which is chometz." Isn't wetting them also Assur then, not just licking them? – Seth J Dec 31 '12 at 16:06
  • @SethJ You mean because they will become Chametz and you will own it? I would assume that they became wet previously as part of processing so the real question is not can you wet them on Pesach, but can you own envelopes on Pesach. The answer would seem to be yes because dogs don't eat envelope paste. Perhaps eating it is worse because of Achshevei but I don't think anyone is actually trying to make it food when they lick it. – Double AA Dec 31 '12 at 17:09
  • @SethJ You like my hat? I should go and answer some [tag:sorcery-magic-kishuf] questions while I still have this power. – Double AA Dec 31 '12 at 17:17
  • If the glue is chameitz when you lick it, why isn't it chameitz before? – Bruce James Dec 31 '12 at 17:36
  • @DoubleAA, ROFL. I concur that we need to open some Purim Torah about hats, but I think we should be self-disciplined and wait for the appropriate month. It's not too far off. Maybe we can open it a little early so as to keep the hats fresh in our memories. – Seth J Dec 31 '12 at 18:03