Yehuda Shlezinger, Israel Hayom
Many Israeli restaurant owners and food manufacturers prefer kosher certification for their products, but complain that the process had turned into a racket, with fees being set haphazardly and some kosher supervisors demanding money without even visiting the premises.
Bayit Meshutaf, the secular division of the Habayit Hayehudi party, has decided to crack down on corrupt kosher supervision by setting up an anonymous hotline for citizens to report kosher supervisors who are not doing their work in good faith.
A source in Bayit Meshutaf said that all reports would be investigated and referred to the Religious Services Ministry. The source said the idea came about following numerous complaints over the large sums of money businesses are required to pay to supervisors.
“The cost of kashrut supervision ranges from 800 to 2,000 shekels [$224 to $560], depending on the supervisor and the organization he works for,” the source said.
“Businesses end up paying a lot of money, but there are no orderly standards and procedures. In addition, municipal rabbis often increase the kosher supervision fee according to their whim.”
Representatives of the division say that some kosher supervisors ask to be paid in cash, without providing receipts, something that is clearly against the law. In addition, kosher supervisors often require businesses to buy glatt kosher products that are four times as expensive as other products, and insist that they make these purchases from specific vendors.
Bayit Meshutaf says its goal is to rein in the chaos that now prevails in the world of kosher supervision.
“A kosher certificate is a desired by many Israelis, both secular and religious, who are even willing to pay higher food prices for this,” the source said.
“At the same time, the desire and need for a kosher certificate should not allow supervisors to engage in a free-for-all. We will refer every tip to the Religious Services Ministry and follow up to make sure they deal with it, so that we can uproot this phenomenon once and for all.”
What about one for a mashgiach in yeshivah
I’m 100 % sure as he told me himself that he was the mashgiach. I can’t tell you which one but I would advise you strongly to check all the ch restaurants you eat in, as there are very likely others.
Are you sure he was a mashgiach and not just a worker? If so, please tell us which C.H restaurant and are there others in C.H. with the same problem?
I spoke to one of the mashgichim in one of the restaurants here in ch, he told me himself he takes off his kipa when he leaves work, and he doesn’t keep shabbos. This is who is getting paid to make sure the food we eat is kosher?? He’s not even frum! Somehow, this is considered an accepted thing here in ch, so it makes me realize that with the secular govt there is no grey area. They know black and white, and they are trying to make sure no one gets paid when they shouldn’t be getting paid.
Oh my…………
This specific Idea sounds like a good one BUT-
Why do we need secular Jews regulating our religious practices? What are their REAL agendas?
This goes about Kashrus, about abuse, and just about the we handle everything.
Just like 311 is a remedy for REVENGE.
This hotline will wind up the same.
i have a few complaints: my father is himself a mashgiach and says that mashgichim shud get paid well so that shud be good,True, they shudnt be over payed but BUT NEED TO GET PAID WELL and i am sure that it is just another one of those things that the irreligious government is trying to do to religious Jews as part of them being pregidous.
Got a few questions: 1. If kashrus is all about making sure everything we eat is in accordance with G-d’s will, why is there corruption in supervising this food? 2. What excuse do people have to demand payment for doing absolutely no work? If the supervisor didn’t show up at the premises, then he didn’t really supervise anything… 3. If some of the so-called supervisors are asking to be paid in cash, which is against the law, then of what worth is their kosher supervision, which is fueled by dishonesty? Both kashrus and ethical honesty are mandated by the Torah… Read more »
sorry to say but there is much to spill in ch as well..
The whole Rabbinate system in Israel needs to be put under a fine tooth comb.
The Metzger fiasco is just the tip of the iceberg.
To much money for too little work.
No wonder the secular in Israel are so cynical
Glad to see someone is taking a stand so we can be sure we are adhering to strict kosher guidelines and not C”V being lax