28 Sivan 5770
June 10, 2010

Let us pause for a moment from our talk of airlines and chickens, and before going on to eiruvin, tefillin, mikva’os, and buses, let us try to understand exactly what we are talking about.

A layman assumes that halacha, and halachic matters, are basically black and white. Something is either mutar or assur, treif or kosher, posul or kosher.

But that is not at all so! Something can be wrong to do initially, but may be acceptable after the fact or when there is a great loss involved. There are, many times, a plethora of opinions, and one could be lenient or strict. Many times something is technically okay, but is not a good idea because over time it will inevitably result in a breakdown — and you don’t want to be the one who is there when that happens! Something may be technically okay but may easily lead to something else which is not technically okay. Sometimes the physical reality is not totally clear; sometimes the halachah is not very clear in a particular case. Sometimes the reality is that there will be a problem one in 100 cases — to some, that is acceptable risk; to others, not. (more…)

 We left our readers in mid-air, so to speak, trying to decide which airline to use, based on its safety standards. Should s/he use the government-approved airline with minimal standards (basic standards which will (probably) work (most of the time)), but perhaps too often will fail? It also uses certain parts that some aviation experts believe are actually substandard. However, it is definitely the most inexpensive airline, and because their standards are more relaxed, they are able to fly to more places more frequently, as they can have more planes and more crew available, thus making air travel more available to all. Yet there is a segment of the flying public who would not use this airline no matter which government agency approved it. Remember the Versailles Hall collapse? (more…)

26 Sivan 5770
June 8, 2010

This new hechsher, which is up-and-running today, is the result of months and months of planning, the result of joint efforts by many of the Chassidic Courts in Israel.

The schita was performed in Mishur Adumim, and the first chickens are expected to be seen in chareidi areas tomorrow, Wednesday, June 9th. The first shipment was sent to Laniado Hospital in Netanya, where patients and staff will be the first group enjoying the latest member of the Israel kashrus market.

At that time, is was reported that chassidic courts cooperating in the venture include Belz, Karlin, Slonim, Sanz, Erlau, Breslov and Seret Vishnitz.

25 Sivan 5770
June 7, 2010

Speaking of kashrus, I am quite often literally bombarded with shailos about hechsherim. What, ultimately, is the difference between them? Why do we need mehadrin hechsherim? (Actually, why do we need hechsherim at all? This will, bli neder, be a subject of another piece someday.)

What does a mehadrin hechsher imply? Are we making a statement that the non-mehadrin hechsherim are non-kosher? Isn’t the whole business of mehadrin hechsherim just a racket? After all, the other hechsherim are also given by rabbis. And how are people supposed to know how to choose which hechsher to “trust”? What does it mean not to “trust” a hechsher? (more…)

17 Sivan 5770
May 30, 2010

Many readers have written in, some seeking to understand how the Chief Rabbinate determines the quality of the various companies producing bug-free greens, known as “Gush Katif” greens. Readers wish to inquire regarding pesticide levels, bug levels and the integrity of the various companies carrying a wide range of hechsherim.

I spoke with Nati Sarusi, the Chief Rabbinate’s coordinator in Sderot, the man who really speaks from a hands-on perspective and a wealth of experience. (more…)

14 Sivan 5770
May 27, 2010

While JKN does not regularly carry such politically charged articles, this case is an exception since this story is getting around, and I feel it is important to present both sides, Yad L’Achim and Tnuva in an effort to permit readers to arrive at their own decision.

Tnuva, Israel’s largest dairy cooperative, which produces a sizable mehadrin line, insists the allegations are baseless but Yad L’Achim’s Rabbi Sholom Dov Lifshitz insists his organization’s information has been confirmed.

This story begins in Kibbutz Harduf in the Lower Galil, a community located in the Jezreel Valley Region. The community, which was founded about 30 years ago boasts a profitable organic industry, but Yad L’Achim explains things are not as innocent as they appear, reporting the community follows Anthroposophy, a spiritual philosophy founded by Rudolf Steiner, which R’ Lifshitz explains is avoda zara (idol worship) by every Torah definition of the word. So what’s the connection to the largest dairy, mehadrin consumers and Israel’s dairy industry? (more…)

10 Sivan 5770
May 23, 2010
Updated List of Eateries Under Badatz Mehadrin Hechsher
Following is a list of eateries under the supervision of ‘Badatz Mehadrin’, Rabbi Avraham Rubin Shlita. The list is prepared on 10 Sivan (May 23rd) at 2:00pm. One must always check for a valid kosher certificate prior to ordering in a restaurant or eatery as changes occur.

(more…)

7 Iyar 5770
April 21, 2010

The Star-K hechsher in the United States has launched a site to assist you in learning how one should inspect for insects in various food items, including vegetables, fruits and nuts.

It is important to point out that this page is intended for the United States, not Israel, where policies are different.

4 Iyar 5770
April 18, 2010

Erev Shabbat Vayakel-Pikudei (Translated with permission from Rabbi Shmuel Zemelman – who is affiliated with the Jerusalem Religious Council Kashrut Dept and an authority on kashrut and alcoholic beverages.

There was a stormy debate in the mikve surrounding bourbon, with one gentleman insisting that since the drink is derived from corn, one needn’t sell it with one’s chametz prior to Pessach. As such, following the yomtov, the bourbon is permitted since it is only ‘kitniot’ and therefore, there is no problem using it even though it was not sold. This viewpoint is quite popular in American circles. (more…)

8 Nissan 5770
March 23, 2010

**Badatz She’erit Yisrael: 050-412-4188 or by fax at 03-677-7030

**Clalit HMO: Beginning Wednesday, 9 Nissan (March 24th) 20:00-23:00 until Sunday, 12 Nissan (March 28th) 17:00-21:00. On motzei shabbat until 23:00. (more…)