B"H
On Sunday afternoon, I noticed that the owner of a certain restaurant in Jerusalem's Agrippas Street had shown up dressed in his cook working clothes. It was still Pessach and the owner entered his restaurant together with two Arab workers. Obviously, and this is what I assume, they already started preparing the dough for their food.
The restaurant has a Hechsher (kosher certificate) from the Rabbanut (Chief Rabbinate) in Jerusalem and was supposed to be closed during the holiday. However, the two owners don't seem to care about Chametz and Kashrut when they already started preparing the food in advance (on Pessach !). Of course the Rabbanut doesn't know and I don't have a proof for the owner preparing dough. This is why I refrain from mentioning the name of the restaurant. However, last night they were packed with people and many of those customers thought that everything was kosher.
I heard more stories like that. Jerusalem restaurants with Rabbanut Hechsher opened even an hour or so before Pessach ended and started the baking / cooking process.
Our bakery did not, as many employees are religious and would have never agreed to such a deal. Furthermore, we have a Hechsher from the Belzer Chassidim (Machzikei HaDaat). But the restaurant with the Arab workers used the opportunity to make fresh dough and only looks at the financial side. No matter if the customers eat Chametz or not !
If you saw this this then you had an obligation to investigate further or at least to call the rabbanut so they can investigate.
ReplyDeleteB"H
ReplyDeleteI am thinking of contacting someone in charge next week. Nevertheless, lets be realistic:
The owner wore his cooking clothes but he could claim to a showing up Mashgiach that he was cleaning something or just organizing whatever. We don't have an obvious proof that the preparing of the dough for his Italian noodles actually took place, as the kitchen is in the back of the restaurant.
The only witnesses would be the two Arab workers.
When ‘dayanim’, ‘rabbis’ and false ‘mekubalim’ use the Torah for their own power and commercial profit, this behaviour is abhorrent.
ReplyDeleteNo other ‘rabbi’ will ever act against another ‘rabbi’ - even when he knows his colleague is clearly desecrating the Torah. Each rabbi is only worried about losing his own position.
Therefore, the ‘rabbi’, ‘dayyan’ or false ‘mekubal’ (‘kabbalist’) will never effect justice. And he will never truly stand for the Torah or the Honour of Hashem. His pocket will always prevail.
The Torah must never be used for commercial gain and profit. Amm israel can only be lead by those who have the necessary love and respect of Hashem and the Torah.
Any man who chooses to be a ‘rabbi’ (‘true teacher’ of Torah) or a ‘dayan’ (‘judge’), or a ‘mekubal’ (‘kabbalist’) should be doing so Voluntarily. Out of his pure love for Hashem and the Torah. And his Ahavat Yisrael.
ReplyDeleteIf he refuses to do community work voluntarily, and wants and accepts payment for everything he does, such a man should not be heading a community. He should get a job and earn a living. He can collect milk bottles or clean the windows. That is what is called ‘earning a living’.
Torah is learned, studied and taught: out of Love. Voluntarily. But the ‘rabbis’ have turned the Torah into their ‘Profession’, from which they earn money.
We are commanded in the Shema to:
‘LOVE Hashem, your G-d, WITH ALL YOUR HEART, and with all your soul and with all your might.’
‘VE’AHAVTA et Hashem Elokecha BECHOL LEVAVECHA uvechol nafshecha uvechol meodecha.’ (Devarim, Vaethanan, 6:4-5)
Is the ordinary man or woman PAID to pray to Hashem, or to say some words of Torah? No. Has veshalom! But the rabbis are. These men can give ‘lovely’ shiurim that they have rehearsed. But they would not give a shiur without being paid for it.
The true hachamim and rabbis of old, all actually worked at proper jobs and professions.
Wake up! Even a little child could have worked this out. These salaried men can never truly stand for the Torah, because in a case of conflict between a correct course of action according to the Torah, and the rabbi or rav’s pocket – his pocket and position will always prevail.
Pirkei Avot: (2:2)
“Raban Gamliel beno shel Rabi Yehuda HaNassi omer: yafeh talmud Torah im derech eretz, sheyegiat shenaihem mashkachat avon. Vechol Torah she’ein imah melacha sofa betailah ve’goreret avon. Vechol haoskim im hatzibbur yiheyu imahem leShem Shamayim……”
“Rabban Gamliel, the son of Rabi Yehuda HaNassi, said: It is good to combine Torah study with a worldly occupation, for working at them both drives sin from the mind. All Torah without an occupation will in the end fail and lead to sin. And let all who work for the community do so for the sake of Heaven………”