New Issue of Meorot-7:1
Hirhurim has a list of the articles that appear in the new issue of Meorot. I just wanted to comment on one of them. R. Yaakov Love wrote on “Inviting a Gentile on Yom Tov.” For those interested in the question, I recommend his article, and I wanted to add something to what he wrote. Regarding coffee and tea being prepared and served to a Gentile on Yom Tov, R. Love wrote,
3. Coffee and tea. These are made separately
for each person and would be problematic.
Even a full kettle of boiled water would be
problematic according to Rema if the number
of guests is taken into account when filling the
kettle. I am even apprehensive about inviting a
gentile at all if coffee or tea is to be served,
since R. Joshua ben Levi prohibited the
invitation precisely for fear that such a course
might be offered. I doubt, though, that the
entire idea that the rule no longer applies is
undermined because of the chance that coffee or
tea might be served.20 If coffee and tea will not
be served at all, there should be no problem.
We also saw earlier that a statement that
nothing further will be cooked after the meal
has been prepared, will help according to all
opinions when there is no “honored guest.”
R. Yosef Hayim of Baghdad, in his collection of responsa Rav Pe’alim, OH vol. I no. 31; OH vol. II, nos. 46-47, addresses this very question. He concludes that in order not to be disrespectful to a visitor to one’s home, one is allowed to prepare coffee for the Gentile, with the provision that Jewish members of the household have some of the coffee, preferably before the Gentile drinks.
May the Jewish table and home become vehicles for spreading God’s Torah throughout the world. שנה טובה וגמר חתימה טובה.