A Rallying Call To Kashrus, or, My Orthodox Brethren, Where Are We?
The Jewish Exponent today ran the story of a new "Tzedek Hechsher" that's being debated by the Conservative Movement:
Jewish law clearly has a lot to say, of course, about ritual slaughter, and the proper preparation of kosher meat and poultry. There's also plenty in the Torah and Talmud that focuses on employer-employee relationships, and the ethics of how to treat workers.Except for a few historical cases where rabbinical authorities tried to link the two issues, generally, they've been considered sperate spheres.
But a newly formed commission created by the Conservative movement is calling attention to conditions faced by workers at kosher-meat plants. The Commission of Inquiry is weighing whether or not to call for a "Tsedek Hekhsher," combining the Hebrew word for justice with the traditional term for kosher certification.
The initiative would create a process to certify that kosher meat and chicken were prepared in an environment where workers are paid fairly and on time, treated with dignity and receive adequate safety training.
"I believe that we, as Jews, when it comes to the food we are obligated to eat, should make sure it is produced in a way that meets the necessary standards of Jewish law and Jewish values," stated Morris Allen, a Minnesota rabbi who's chairing the commission established by the Rabbinical Assembly and United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.
While no G-d-fearing individual could possibly debate the inherent good in people receiving a living wage and safe working conditions, it just disturbs me that this judgment on Torah Law had to come from a group of people who don't (necessarily) believe that G-d wrote the Torah.
And where are those of us who do believe that G-d wrote the Torah?
I remember hearing from one mashgiach who worked for the Orthodox Union. He was speaking about how he removed his certification from one particular restaurant.
The food? Glatt kosher. No question. The staff? Dressed modestly. The wine? Kosher l'mehadrin 100%. So what made the rabbi remove his certification?
There is a relatively little known halacha, a prohibition against having music and alcoholic beverages served in the same "room". This particular restaurant had a live musician standing literally next to the bar. This rabbi would not allow his name to be on such a violation of the Code of Jewish Law, and he removed his certification. The restaurant quickly found another supervision agency under which it remains to this day, and it has since redone its interior.
This particular rabbi is renowned for being a tzaddik and his word goes without question in the Orthodox community. His actions with this particular restaurant were applauded. So where is the applause for similar actions, holding kosher establishments to observance of the Code of Jewish Law, or the outcry for more of the same?
Why isn't this even being talked about?
An article on Eco-Kashrus (kosher certification requiring environmental concerns be implemented) was relegated to almost irrelevance in Kashrus magazine. Laws of bal tashchis, of "not destroying" the environment ("fruit trees" are referenced in the verse) are discussed in the Code of Jewish Law, right there in the second volume, not too far after laws of forbidden meat and dairy mixtures. Is there not even room for a debate of the validity of these holy laws when it comes to kosher certification?
And the workers. I have an extremely hard time understanding how blatant Choshen Mishpat (fourth volume of the Code of Jewish Law) violations are allowed to go on in light of numerous exhortations of the Sages in the Talmud (Bava Metzia) to treat workers well, pay wages on time, etc. Even calling someone an insulting word is forbidden by Choshen Mishpat 228.
While no one is asking for full Dept. of Labor and EEOC audits with every check of a pizza oven, the fact that these are not even considered valid enough concerns to be placed on the table of discussion is disturbing.
If these aren't valid concerns, and if kashrus really does only go on the food itself, then let's stop calling for modestly dressed staff and try to put a hechsher on the Hooters in Tel Aviv (Hashem ya'akor kacha mei'artzo). Let's stop applauding righteous rabbinical authorities for enforcing laws of alcohol consumption. Let's stop inquiring into the belief systems of winemakers (as is done with some Chaba"d wineries).
Otherwise, if those are valid concerns, let's examine the rest of the volume that those laws come from. If the Code of Jewish Law determines what goes into the food, it should determine what goes into the paycheck of the one who makes the food.
If it doesn't have to, if the Shulchan Aruch does not apply in its entirety to eating establishments and I'm barking up the wrong tree, also please let me know. In writing.
And let it be codified forever.
Otherwise, the silence of those of us who believe in the Torah, in light of all these labor violations, could create a chillul Hashem, G-d forbid.
Comments
So, are you saying that the USCJ may be right about something? And would it be ironic to be Machmir about a Tzedek Heksher issued by a Conservative Beit Din? Or would that description go too far?
Posted by: dobzewitz | April 13, 2007 05:45 PM
Right on!
Posted by: NLG | April 14, 2007 10:57 AM
Here is the problem, and I am deeply sad to say this. But I doubt whether many of the Vaadot Kashrut in major cities around the country would themselves qualify for the tzedek hechsher.
Posted by: Joshua Cahan | April 24, 2007 12:41 AM