Who watches Orthodoxy ?

B"H

Two German - Jewish Blogs uncovered the wheeling and dealing of Berlin's orthodox rabbi, Rabbi Yitzchak Ehrenberg. Rabbi Ehrenberg gives out a Hechscher (kosher certificate) to the first German kosher beer called "SIMCHA".

The only problem is that due to Germany's strict regulations, German beer does not need a Hechscher, as it is only produced from wheat, yeast and water. According to German law, not chemicals whatsoever can be added. Hence, the whole Hechscher is totally unnecessary because the beer is kosher anyway.

Furthermore, it was uncovered that the company producing the "Simcha" - beer is connected to a fundamental Christian group in Saxony. The question coming up is: Why does an orthodox rabbi provides an unnecessary Hechscher for a product which is kosher from the beginning ?

Obviously Rabbi Ehrenberg likes his new pay check and is pleased to be invited by the Christian group which gives him at festivities a great seat in the front row. What an honour.

Unfortunately, Rabbi Yitzchak Ehrenberg is not the only orthodox - unorthodox Rabbi working in Germany. Many of their rabbis are Israelis and a kind of escaped Israel, in order to work abroad where the communities usually do not know about a negative history those rabbis already enjoy. Some even have a criminal record in Israel. And who cares abroad ? German communities do not bother with calling the Rabbanut and asking questions.

When I went to Germany in January 1998, I experienced one catastrophe after the other. The orthodox rabbi in my community considered himself as litvish - haredi but in further articles, I will explain how a religious rabbi can turn into the opposite when there is just enough money and honour involved.

I am also going to explain whether the Israeli chief rabbinate is able to do something against orthodox rabbis abroad breaking any kind of Halacha. My experiences by dealing with the Rabbanut, the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the Jewish Agency, Yad Le' Achim and many many different rabbis seem to be a little older (approx. six years). However, I doubt very much that Germany is so much different today.

Maybe my articles can help other people standing up against certain unkosher rabbi's activities. Even if there is plenty of red tape and disappointment involved.