To Eat Out – To Eat Kosher - Kosharot The following is a translation of a document prepared by the Kosharot Organization http://kosharot.co.il/ headed by Rabbi Elyakim Levanon Shlita. Rabbi Levanon is the Rav of Elon Moreh in Shomron and the Chief Rabbi of the Shomron Regional Council. He is a senior posek in the dati leumi community. I would like to use this forum to add that in my dealings with Kosharot, I found the organization to be transparent, upright and simply reliable in every aspect of kashrus. The rav/posek, Rabbi Moshe Katz, is a sought-after lecturer on kashrus around Eretz Yisrael and the organization continues working to educate the public as well as providing kosher supervision for events at a minimal cost to ensure one’s simcha is what one expects it to be. NOTE: When I refer to the Halachic text in the translated document, I write “Shulchan Aruch”. When referring to the piskei Halacha of Maran, who is referred to as “Shulchan Aruch” by Kosharot, I will write “Beis Yosef” to avoid confusion. I will also add that if one eats in a restaurant with a reliable hashgacha, many of the issues discussed in the report are covered by the hashgacha. This document is intended to empower readers as what to look for and to provide a better understanding to what some of the concerns should be when eating out. The following document is the translation. Text appearing in blue is added by JKN. The original Hebrew document is downloadable using the link at the end of the translation. Preface: Many books have been written on the subject of kashrus. Kashrus applies both in our homes and out, and we will use this forum to discuss kashrus outside of one’s home. We will point out the weak points that one should pay attention to and at times, demand additional inspection and clarification. Halachic concepts will be explained in brief and then we will see how these concepts are applied in the field and what has to be checked. Towards achieving this goal we have created this guideline “To Eat Out – To Eat Kosher”, a checklist that will assist in determining the level of kosher supervision and if an eatery is suitable for us. Who is Providing the Hashgacha? ,(עד אחד נאמן באיסורים) ”While we learn “One witness is sufficient in prohibitions there are fraudsters and liars whose profession is to deceive towards earning a profit. The Chief Rabbinate of Israel publishes this information. One may register to receive notifications by fax or email by calling 02-531-3131 or visiting the Chief Rabbinate Website www.dat.gov.il. These notices contain information about businesses with fraudulent hechsherim. Page 1 of 19 To Eat Out – To Eat Kosher - Kosharot The Chief Rabbinate publishes information on organizations presenting themselves as hashgachos despite the fact that are not certified to do so. This which is widespread in (שמן המשחה) would include Badatz Shemen HaMishcha ,(הועד לשומרי מסורת) ”the Tel Aviv area. There is also the “Vaad L’Shomrei Masoret and its teudot can be found in restaurants that operate on Shabbos. There are many other agencies such as these. It is essential to know that there are more than 30 “badatzim” that operate in the State of Israel, and only about one-third are legitimate. The others should not be consumed at all. There are frauds among the ‘unrecognized hechsherim’ that have no connection to kashrus whatsoever. The fraudsters master the art by playing with words on their teudot, such as “Yodeah Deah” which is a play on a legitimate badatz, “Yoreh Deah” headed by Rabbi Shlomo Machpud Shlita. This can also be seen in the Beersheva area, where there are teudot under the supervision of “Rabbi Landau”, not the Av Beis Din of Bnei Brak Rabbi Yehuda Leib Landau of course, but one who is unaware may fall prey to this and others like it. In the case of the fraudulent Rabbi Landau, there is no kosher supervision in the eatery. In line with the state kosher law, any business advertising itself as “kosher” must have a teudat kashrut from the Rabbinate in that area. That include the city’s rabbinate, local religious council, regional religious council or the rabbi of the community, whichever is applicable. (By the way, it is a big mitzvah to report to the Chief Rabbinate regarding any place that advertises to be kosher but does not have a valid Rabbinate teudat hechsher. One may call 02-531-3131, to the and leave a call back number and (מלקת האונאה בכשרות) Kashrus Enforcement Unit information on the voice mail). The Chief Rabbinate of Israel is the Rabbinate of Klall Yisrael, and not just any one sector of Jews or another. As such, the Chief Rabbinate provides kashrus to the various level of kosher stringency from the most basic level to mehadrin min hamehadrin. Of course even the most basic level is in compliance with Halachic standards set forth in Shulchan Aruch but in some cases, it will rely upon a Halachic opinion that is not accepted by all poskim or perhaps a ruling that is not brought in Shulchan Aruch but as a result of the development of today’s complex industrial food industry, at times, relies upon a lone opinion brought by the poskim (rabbis who decide Halacha). Every person must learn and research for himself in consultation with one’s rabbi regarding the appropriate level of kashrus he wishes to maintain. This will permit one to decide which level is appropriate from the basic to the most stringent. What Level of Hashgacha (Mashgiach Constantly Present /Comes & Goes) This is a most complex topic with many subtopics, and it has widespread ramifications on the level of kashrus of the place you wish to eat in. Page 2 of 19 To Eat Out – To Eat Kosher - Kosharot In line with the Chief Rabbinate’s kashrus regulations, catering halls and hotels must have a mashgiach present at all times while food is prepared and served. There is no difference regarding this regulation in halls and hotels that are basic kosher or mehadrin min hamehadrin. However, when it comes to restaurants and steakhouse, the amount of mashgiach time required is determined by the rabbis providing hashgacha. If the establishment demands the constant presence of a mashgiach and one is not present, one should notify the rabbi responsible or local Rabbinate responsible for restaurants, halls, hotels, hospitals and so-forth using the number provided above. Is a Mashgiach Present Now? This is the next question based on what we have researched to date. If the mashgiach is present then we can begin asking him the questions that we will learn in this report. If he is not present, then we must determine if he is supposed to be. If so, then we must ask what is going on here since the mashgiach is supposed to be here all the time. If this is the case, you should ask for the mobile cell number of the mashgiach and get in touch with him. If the store does not have his number then you should begin questioning the level of adherence to kashrus in the establishment. At this point it is time to reach the mifakeach, the mashgiach’s supervisor in the Rabbinate. Who Works in the Kitchen? (Bishul Akum) Bishul akum is one of the more widespread issues in the world of kashrus today. There are different rulings for Ashkenazim and Sephardim which results in half of the public having a very difficult time finding a place to eat. The main points of the Halacha are found in Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah 112-113 (non Jews cooking and baking). Regarding baking bread and all types of pas haba bekisnin (baked mezonos items whose bracha is “borei minei mezonos” that can constitute being classified a seuda [meal]). In line with all rabbinical rulings for both Ashkenazim and Sephardim, it is sufficient for a Jew to light the oven or place the baked goods into the oven and then a non-Jew can continue baking. Regarding all other dishes, the law is not the same. According to the Beis Yosef, which sets the ruling for Sephardim, lighting the gas is insufficient as a Jew must be involved in the cooking process. The Rama however, who sets the ruling for Ashkenazim, rules lighting the gas is sufficient and the non-Jew may proceed with cooking. Truth be said, to our sorrow, many places do not adhere to the ruling of the Beis Yosef for Sephardim. Certain Rabbinates in places with basic kosher certification instruct a mashgiach to make sure to light the gas in line with the ruling of the Rama. Page 3 of 19 To Eat Out – To Eat Kosher - Kosharot It is important to point out that the concerns of ‘bishul akum’ are not applicable to all dishes as per the ruling of Chazal. The following are excluded from the ruling. Foods eaten raw, without cooking like vegetable such as tomatoes (matbuka salad) and types of fruits used for compote, and dairy items. Items that are not fit for a “kings table”, to say they are not viewed as something one would serve invited guests. An example would be Turkish coffee or small fish like sardines. Therefore, regarding this one must question the mashgiach as how one should conduct oneself in the establishment. At times, he will know it is difficult to control all of the cooking in line with the Beis Yosef’s standard and at times, it will even be difficult for him to control bishul akum as defined by the Rama.