THE CHIEF RABBINATE STRIKES BACK AT THE RISHON L’TZION

FROM JERUSALEM KOSHER

The following is a loose translation of a “special update” released by the Chief Rabbinate of Israel dated today in response to a recent p’sak halacha released by Rishon L’Tzion HaGaon HaRav Moshe Shlomo Amar Shlita, in which he is quoted as saying some of the so-called “gush katif” greens contain dangerous levels of pesticides and therefore, one may use non-gush katif if one knows how to properly clean them.

DATED: 20 Cheshvan 5773/ November 5, 2012

In light of the p’sak Halacha from Rishon L’Tzion and Chief Rabbi Moshe Shlomo Amar Shlita regarding some of the supervised greens contained dangerous levels of pesticides, in some case pesticides prohibited by the Ministry of Health…

The Chief Rabbinate in response to the ruling is instructing those [agencies] granting a hechsher to these companies to condition their kosher supervision on Health Ministry approval of the product to eliminate health concerns. This would be accomplished by sample testing in ministry laboratories or an independent lab approved by the ministry.

It must be stressed that all eateries and establishments being certified by a local rabbinate MAY NOT use any greens that are not of the supervised (so-called gush katif brands). In essence there is no change in the Chief Rabbinate’s policy and only the so-called gush katif greens are permitted for use in any establishment with local rabbinate hashgacha.

Health Ministry officials view this matter with the utmost of seriousness, stating it demands immediately and thorough investigation towards establishing criteria to coordinate between the Chief Rabbinate and health officials.

Companies that do not comply with the new standard will not receive a kashrut certification and those products will be banned from eateries certified by local rabbinates nationwide.