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April 6, 2001/Nisan 13, 5761, Vol. 53, No.27
Letters to the EditorApril 6, 2001
Karsh's controversy raises kosher questionEditor:As a member of the Orthodox Jewish community of Phoenix, I find it interesting that letters from Allan Cook and Martin Selling both take issue with the Phoenix Vaad Hakashruth for revoking its kosher certification of Karsh's bakery (Jewish News, March 23). Both letters imply that the decision was purely arbitrary and motivated by less than honorable intentions. The issue here is not the content of the products but the letter of the law. As an Orthodox institution, the Vaad is required under halachah (Jewish law) to ensure that strict Orthodox laws governing the preparation of foods be followed. These laws state that Jewish-owned food businesses must be closed on Shabbat and all Jewish holidays, including Passover. The owners of Karsh's made the decision to close on Shabbat and Passover in order to attract the Orthodox customer. The same owners had made the decision, for financial reasons, to reopen on Shabbat and Passover. Unfortunately, there wasn't enough business from the Orthodox community to replace the business Karsh's lost by closing on Saturday. If Karsh's wishes to obtain kosher certification from another kosher certification body, they certainly have that option. It is important for people to realize that the removal of kosher certification by the Vaad was not motivated by personal motivation or to denigrate others, but rather the necessity to adhere to laws handed down over 5,760 years ago. I urge those who are interested to contact the Orthodox Union, whose OU kashrut certification is recognized all over the world, and ask what their criteria are for certifying foods as kosher. Steven Soep Phoenix (Via the Internet) Editor: As a practicing rabbi I fully understand the opinion presented by Allan Cook (Jewish News, March 23) and his inability to comprehend how kashrut and Shabbat go hand in hand. In reality, though, kashrut is not merely a representation on the status of the kashrut of the food. Rather, the term refers to the permissibility of using the item in adherence to Jewish law. For example, the term "kashrut" applies equally to a get (ritual divorce), a Torah scroll, or a kosher mezuzah. (The two do not always go hand in hand, as the majority of mezuzot sold on the U.S. market are not kosher.) Many people are ignorant in Jewish terminology and Jewish law and apply their personal level of observance - or lack thereof - to issues that should be relegated and determined by those who are knowledgeable of halachah (Jewish law). I have lived throughout the world, in South Africa, Australia, Canada and Israel, and similar standards are maintained to ensure that kashrut-observing people will be comfortable eating anywhere. Only establishments owned by a Jew must be closed on Shabbat and Jewish holidays to maintain their kashrut certification. Many commercial food establishments owned by non-Jews are open seven days a week and are able to receive a kashrut certification. Jack Engel Skokie, Ill. (Via the Internet) |
