IS THERE A TIE BETWEEN KASHRUTH AND ETHICS

Our last article dealt with a Government allegation of very real ethical lapses at a kosher business. An investigation is under way, and it appears as if the owners of the company will be found guilty of some serious ethical problems.

For us, the question is “Is the meat they sold still kosher?” The simple answer is that it is kosher. Jewish text insists that the kosher butcher be of the highest morals and honesty. His is a unique position that is totally dependent upon trust.

When a kosher store knowingly sells trefe, as happened in Monsey, they are guilty of a major sin. But what about a kosher business that mistreats its workers, underpays them and cheats them?

Sadly, we can not call the meat trefe. If a person steals a cow and has it shechted and it is then found to be kosher, what happens if he sells it as kosher meat? The meat remains kosher, BUT it is forbidden to eat it!

If a business maltreats its employees as the place in our story allegedly did, then rabbis should declare the meat, not trefe, but forbidden!

We should demand no less from our leaders.