[Avodah] Q. I am required to attend a business meeting at a non-kosher restaurant. How do I avoid the issue of maris ayin?

[Professor L. Levine via Avodah]

>From today's OU Halacha Yomis.


Q. I am required to attend a business meeting at a non-kosher restaurant. How do I avoid the issue of maris ayin?


A. The general rule regarding maris ayin is that one can avoid the prohibition of maris ayin if there is a heker (sign) that indicates that the action is permitted. For example, Rama (YD 87:3) writes that one may not cook meat with almond milk, since this gives the impression that one is violating the prohibition of cooking milk and meat together. This would constitute maris ayin. However, this situation is permitted if one places almonds near the pot, since the almonds will alert a bystander that the milk comes from almonds and not from an animal. Therefore, if one must enter a non-kosher restaurant, one should do so in a manner that makes it clear that one is entering for business and not for pleasure. For example, one should enter carrying a briefcase or a stack of papers. Rav Schachter, shlita said that in such an instance it would be preferable to wear a cap instead of a yarmulke. Rav Schachter also said that once seated, one may order a drink


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