עברית
Halachot and Customs
How to Sift Wheat Flour?
Question
Hi Rabbi. I would like to know how to check chickpeas, beans, and wheat grains (like the kind used in chulent) for worms.
2. How do you sift wheat flour? Is there a special sifter for it? Also, regarding couscous, should it be checked?
I would appreciate a response.
Answer
Greetings and blessings,
For chickpeas and beans, the easiest way is to soak them in water overnight. Afterward, the skin becomes transparent, allowing you to check the chickpeas and beans for any signs of worm infiltration in the flesh of the legumes. If this method is not feasible, it is possible to check without soaking.
There is no need or benefit in sifting wheat flour; there are no worms in the flour itself, only outside of it. If the bag appears fresh and clean, check a small amount from the bag lightly on a bright surface to ensure there are no crawling insects, and the entire bag is permissible for consumption with no further checks. The same applies to wheat grains. Nowadays, most flour and wheat are clean, especially if purchased from a reputable company. The same goes for couscous.
Blessings - Benjamin Shmuli.
