14 Sivan 5772 June 4, 2012
Chief Rabbinate Update 21
Following are excerpt was taken from the Chief Rabbinate of Israel Kashrut Enforcement Division dated today.
The Jerusalem Rabbinate reports that arrangements have yet to be made to secure a local rabbinate kosher certificate for the two hospitals. As such, the Jerusalem Rabbinate announces it assumes absolutely no responsibility for the food prepared and served in those facilities despite the fact the hospitals were instructed to make arrangements regarding Shabbos food preparation and mashgiach hours.
The Jerusalem Rabbinate adds that the kosher certificates signed by the mashgiach in the hospitals are not replacements for the rabbinate’s teudat kashrut under the law.
13 Comments
I would like to point out that this is not to say that the food in these hospitals is not kosher – rather, that they are not under the Jerusalem Rabbinate hashgacha. Both hospitals have full time mashgichim – one is welcome to telephone them and speak to them and make your own decision.
No one Hinted at “non-Kosher” just “non-Rabbinate” but thank you for taking the time to clarify for those who do not get it.
It should be pointed out that Badatz Mehadrin, with variations for particular diets, may be supplied without any problem.
“Badatz” is a general term, an abbreviation for Beit Din Tzedek. Therefore I request that you post a more specific comment stating exactly which Badatz agency offers such a service towards assisting those who may want to use such a product. Thanks
To the best of my knowledge, in Hadassah Har Hatzofim there is an option of receiving BADATZ Eida Hacharedis food for hospitalized patients. This needs to be specially requested.
The same service may be available at Ein Kerem – I am unsure.
This post in not meant as commenting on anything, just for informational purposes; on the bulletin board in the beit knesset in Har Hatzofim is an extremely detailed list telling one the various hechsherim that the mashgiach in the hospital uses and for which items.
In addition to what Reb Yechiel said, I will add that when I read the previous comment, I thought it was referring to Rav Rubin’s hechshr, which goes by the name of (IMHO unfortunate choice!) “Badatz Mehadrin”.
Shimon
So who are these mashgichim working for?
This is a pretty big news item. Two major hospitals in J-lem have no hashgacha?
Strange.
Did Haddassa ever have a Rabbanut hechsher?
I always thought the situation today is always has been.
In response to Moshe ,Hadassa Ein Kerem also provides food with a Badatz Hechsher for patients who request it. I beneficiated of this service recently. one need to mention it as soon as we get in, and it is provided graciously.
Thanks to all those who posted that one can request food with the hashgacha of the Eda Hachareidit.
However, the issue here is regarding the majority of people, who do not request the “special kosher” meals.
What is the position for them?
I find it troubling that the Rabbanut’s notice (which I had already seen in the Hebrew version before it was posted here) was quite brief.
One would expect a bit more guidance. Are the recommending that a person not eat the food?
I have explained in the past and will do so now once again. While the Chief Rabbinate updates are most informative, there are two categories, establishments that are problematic from a kosher/halachic point of view, while others are problematic from an Israeli legal point of view.
It appears Hadassah Hospitals falls under the latter. I feel compelled to add however that it does appear there is some level of kosher supervision at the hospitals; I have never checked out what the level is and if the supervision is adequate.
My point is that one should not automatically assume that any place with a hechsher is suitable, unless of course that works for you. A hospital is very complex from a kashrus point of view and if you are stringent, you may have to do some homework before deciding if you can eat there.
Since this was posted I added the same Chief Rabbinate alert pertaining to IKEA to the JKN website. I happened to have remembered that this restaurant was also under Badatz Beit Yosef once upon a time, so I checked with the latter this morning and the badatz confirmed that while the IKEA restaurant “has no hashgacha” as far as the Chief Rabbinate is concerned, it does has hashgacha from Badatz Beit Yosef.
Therefore, if the latter is suitable for you, enjoy. If not, seek another venue for your meal.
I hope this adds a measure of clarity.
Loads of places fall into the “problematic from an Israeli legal point of view” category, including your own house (yes, each of you), if you tell people that your kitchen is Kosher. Kidushim in shul have no particular supervision on the kugel in front of you, even if it came from a reliable shop. Charedi restaurants, including almost all in Bnei Brak, just have a Rav Landa teuda and nothing form the Rabbinate, so aren’t “Kosher” but everybody eats there. Some non-municipal entities’ own Rabbis give supervision, such as Hadassa hospital and Bar Ilan Univeristy. It’s complex, and the law and halacha are different. Just be aware.