The Gate of Kashrut10 PDF

THE GATE OF KASHRUT 1
THE GATE OF KASHRUT

HASHEMS WAR AGAINST AMALEK
There is no sin so severe as forbidden foods, since entire
Jewish communities were lost and turned to evil ways
because of eating treifos and neveilos.
(Divrei Chayim-Yoreh Deah)
"The most upright butcher is a partner of Amalek."

(Kiddushin 82a)
THE VISITOR FROM FOREIGN LANDS: A STORY

Rabbi Akiva Joseph Shlesinger ZL, son in law of the great Gaon Rabbi Hillel of Kalamai ZL
wrote in his book Shamru Mishpat the following: In the year 5620, Pesachs eve, a man called
Rabbi Eliezer Bar Rabbi Shimon from Tibet came to see my father-in-law. He spoke only lashon
Hakodesh (Hebrew), and asked my father-in-law R Hillel, to let him spend Pesach with him
with the condition that the visitor would do his own Seder on a table especially for him, and that
he would give him the Matzot and every thing else needed. My father in law agreed, and so it
happened. On the seders night, he ate only the strictly required measure of Matzah, and he did
not eat Matzah for the rest of Pesach; he just ate fruits, potatoes and almonds, and would not
accept any gift, money or food for the journeyWhat I heard from him I will try to remember
and write.
THE VISITOR IS VERY CAREFUL ABOUT WHAT HE EATS
The Seder went over enthusiastically, every verse the visitor said, he translated to his mother
tongue, which was strange for us, and just few things mentioned from the Zohar and Midrashim
were known to us. We listened. He prayed full of joy, for about 2 to 3 hours, and then, ate
potatoes, fruits and similar foods, and he ate no meat and no matzah. There was no time for
2 THE GATE OF KASHRUT
questions. Only in Chol Hamoed and Yom Tov was I able to ask the meaning of all his customs;
he replied he was sent and came for a secret issue, by order of the president of his land. There
were 96.000 Jews where he came from, and they all comply with the law of Maaser, and as per
the Torah, they have rulers for every 10 people, every 50, 100 and 1000... The president is a holy
man well versed in Kabballah. He directs the entire town. He is a Tzaddik fearful of G-d and not
only serves justice to his peoplebut like the tribe of Yssachar he knows the destiny of Israel
throughout the Galut and he has a book called SEFER HA ABIB (BEGINNING LETTERS OF:
ACHENU BENE ISRAEL BAGOLA), (Our brothers The sons of Israel in exile)
WHY HASNT MASHIACH ARRIVED

And the book HABBIB, spoke about what was happening to our generation in Europe (mainly
the problems with Kashrut): It said of Rabbi Natan Adler and his student Rabbi Moshe Sofer,
that they were hidden Kabbalists, that Rabbi Adler wanted to disqualify the shochatim of the city
of Frankfurt, and annul the seal of the Satan that dominated through those Shochatim But the
Satan sent people to persecute him and Rabbi Adler and his student had to flee Frankfurt. And
if Rabbi Adler had succeeded in removing the shochatim that gave Nevela and Terefa to
the Jews the MASHIACH Tzidkenu would have arrived. The author of Noda beYehuda was
in Prague, and while alive, the Satan was not allowed to be there, but only occasionally and as a
guest; now that the Tzaddik is not there anymore, the Satan reigns there. The Downfall began
with a Chazan (whose prayers went to the side of the evil forces) and an evil president of the
communityand all the synagogues under his influence should not be visited because all the
prayers in them are blasphemy. It is like praying in the bathroom, and even worse because there
they mention the name of G-d
The Man came walking, and left walking the day after Pesach (isru chag) right after Shachrit.
We wanted him to take the train, but he would not receive money. He left a written notice saying
he accomplished his mission, to spend Pesach with us, and return through the path of Cashwa,
across Poland, Russia and Tibet.
THE SECRET OF THE BAAL SHEM

TOVS DESCENT TO THE WORLD
I heard, in the name of Baal Shem Tov, that he came to this world to rectify it and that the world
was tottering because of the deterioration of the three pillars upon which the world stands,
namely Torah, worship, and kind deeds. The pillar of Torah was spoiled by the preachers who
travel from city to city and preach false sermons to blind the eyes of the congregation. They
invent astounding midrashim and then reconcile them and they themselves are irreligious and
connivers. The pillar of worship was weakened by the cantors known for their irreverence and
irresponsibility, for in our times the prayer takes the place of the daily sacrifices, in whose place
the Rabbis instituted the daily prayers. The pillar of kind deeds was weakened by the shochatim
who take mitzvot lightly. The Talmud tell us (Taanis 23b) that when Abba Chilkiah prayed for
rain, a cloud ascended from the corner where his wife was standing, because a woman is usually
in the house and she gives bread to the poor, from which they benefit immediately.
RECEIVING GUESTS AND FEEDING THEM WITH NON

KOSHER FOOD IS A SIN AND NOT A MITZVAH
Also in Kethubos 67b, where rashi states that the women give bread and meat (not money) to the
poor, and by giving the poor non-kosher meat supplied them by the irreligious shochtim, they do
not perform a kind deed, but, on the contrary, cause the poor to sin.
THE BAAL SHEM TOV WAS A SHOCHET AND TRIED TO

STRAIGHTEN THE KASHRUT OF MANY COMMUNITIES
All three pillars were wobbling until Baal Shem Tov came and was a shochet in his youth, and
afterwards, when he revealed himself, he led the prayers and became a cantor, and inspired the
heart of the congregation with his awe inspiring prayers, and he would recite true Torah sayings
to rectify all three pillars and to set the world up again on a firm basis. This is what I heard.
(Sefer Divrei Torah, vol. 3, ch. 6)
THE BAAL SHEM TOVS POWER TO

REVEAL HIDDEN MATTERS: A STORY
Once the Baal Shem Tov came to the rabbi of a community and requested that he put him up for
Shabbos. The rabbi ordered his wife to honor this great man, as befitted his station. She replied,
"We have bought meat for Shabbos. I will give our guest the choicest cut." To her consternation,
when she went to bring the meat, she could not find it. She went to her neighbor to borrow a
portion of meat. The neighbor agreed to lend her the meat, but when she went to bring it, she too
was astounded to find that her meat had disappeared. The rebbetzin conferred with her husband
about the matter. Just then, she looked out of the window and spotted the shochet passing the
house. She called him and told him her problem. He told her that he had just slaughtered a tender
calf.
THE BAAL SHEM TOV REVEALS AND EXPOSES
THE WICKEDNESS OF THE SHOCHET
The Baal Shem Tov said, "I prefer the head, but I beg you to bring it here when it is whole and
remove the veins in my presence." The shochet went quickly and brought the head to the rabbi's
house. The Baal Shem Tov began to converse with the shochet and said to him. There are
differences in the number of teeth in a calf. Count this calf's teeth." The shochet opened the
mouth of the slaughtered animal and inserted his hand to count teeth. But, lo and behold! As
soon as he had inserted his hand into the calf's mouth, it closed on him and he was unable to
extricate his hand from the trap. The teeth pressed into his hand and caused him such
excruciating pain that he screamed.
Said the Baal Shem Tov, "Wicked man, confess your sins! You never examined the lungs of an
animal. You arbitrarily declared them kosher or treifah." After the schochet confessed, he begged
the Baal Shem Tov to instruct him how to repent.
THE DESTRUCTIVE ANGELS IN THE SYNAGOGUE ARE
CREATED FROM THE SINS OF THE EVIL CHAZAN [CANTOR]
Then the Baal Shem Tov accompanied the rabbi to the synagogue. He passed his hand over the
rabbi's face and showed him how many destructive angels and spirits 'were sitting on the roof of
the synagogue. The rabbi was astounded at this. The Baal Shem Tov said to him, "You should
know that your cantor sins every night." They discharged the cantor and hired another in his
place (Shivchei Baal Shem Tov).
G-DS WAR AGAINST AMALEK
THE BAAL SHEM TOV SAW THE DECREE OF

AUSCHWITZ AND TRIED TO ANNUL IT
This is what our teacher and Master the holy Baal Shem Tov o.b.m. wrote to his friend the Holy
Rabbi Mordechai from Tolust (who was one of the hidden Tzaddikim of his times as we see
from other correspondence among them) as brought in the book Sefer ha Tamim, printed in
Warsaw the 12 of Tammuz, 5696 4th edition.
BH 3RD DAY OF PARASHAT REE, 5509 OSHPITZIN

TO MY FRIEND THE HOLY RABBI MORDECHAI FROM TOLUST:
FOR G-DS SAKE PLEASE COME HERE IMMEDIATELY, BECAUSE I SEE THINGS
THAT ARE NOT GOOD ON THIS COMMUNITY, AND TWO ARE BETTER THAN
ONE AND WE WILL DEAL WITH THE SECRET FOR THE LORDS SECRET IS
FOR THOSE WHO FEAR HIM (Tehillim 25), I STRONGLY HOPE THAT YOU COME
IMMEDIATELY AND THAT YOU BRING WITH YOU THE WRITINGS OF OUR
RABBI (RABBI ADAM BAAL SHEM ZTL who was the Baal Shem Tovs master) THAT
YOU KNOW, BECAUSE I MUCH NEED THEM.
YOUR FRIEND THAT ASKS FOR YOUR PEACE WITH FAITHFUL LOVE.
ISRAEL BAAL SHEM FROM TOLUST
THE RAMBAM ATTRIBUTES HERESY AND

DISBELIEF TO THE SIN OF FORBIDDEN FOODS
May it be known that the foundation of Israel's sanctity and purity is their painstaking
observance of the laws of kashrut. We find this stated explicitly in the Torah at the end of
Parshath Shemini (Lev. 11:44)
For I am the L-rd your G-d, and you shall sanctify yourselves and be holy, for I am holy; and
you shall not defile your souls with any creeping thing that creeps on earth.
Thus the Torah is very explicit, that by abstaining from forbidden foods we sanctify ourselves,
and by laxity in this field, we, G-d forbid, defile our souls.
In order to rationalize the matter, we present an episode concerning Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon,
The Rambam. This episode is quoted in the books, Tzafnath Paneach and Degel Machanay
Ephraim (Parshath Ekev). These rabbis heard from the Baal Shem Tov o.b.m. that the people of a
certain country sent a letter to the Rambam, asking him to prove to them from the Torah that the
dead will come to life. The proofs mentioned in the Gemara were not sufficient for them, since
they felt that all the verses quoted by the Gemara could be explained otherwise.
NON KOSHER FOOD DEFILES THE SOUL OF THE PERSON
The Rambam refused to reply to them, but delegated the task to his disciple, Rabbi Shmuel ibn
Tibbon. The latter wrote as follows: "According to science, all food and drink are converted to
blood. From the blood, it goes into the liver, and from the liver, the purest goes into the heart.
From the heart, the best and most refined blood enters the brain, the seat of a person's intellect
and life. One who is cautious in the field of forbidden foods, is assured that his blood will be
pure and clear, and he will have a pure heart. His brain will be pure enough to attain a pure spirit
of life, which is the divinity of all the worlds, which keeps them all in existence. The more one
watches himself and sanctifies his eating habits according to G-d's Torah, the more his intellect
sanctifies all his two hundred forty-eight limbs.
THE HIGHEST DEGREE OF TUMAH [IMPURITY] IS DISBELIEF IN G-D AND HIS
TORAH. THIS PERSON IS REGARDED AS DEAD
Likewise, if one is lax in this respect, his intellect becomes defiled and is regarded as dead,
which is the highest degree of uncleanness. Thus the holy spirit of all the worlds leaves him,
leaving him vulnerable to all sorts of false doctrines and ideas. Therefore, the rabbis of the
Talmud were extremely conscientious in their observance of these laws, so as not to defile
themselves with food and wine of gentiles.
Consequently, their intellect was brilliant, the holy spirit of the Almighty rested upon them, to
enable them to explain every hidden meaning of the holy Torah. Since He and his Torah are one,
a divine power rested upon them and the light of their souls joined these two components to form
a three stranded cord, which will never be torn. These people (he addressed them
euphemistically), however, are surely unclean. Consequently, their blood is unclean, and their
hearts and brains have become clogged by dint of the forbidden and unclean foods. They,
therefore, are inclined to believe in apikorsus, denial of the Torah teachings, and have been
unable to accept the sweetness and pleasantness of our Sages' words, built on their divine
intellect. Since they have become brazen and have left the faith, the destroyer will come upon
them and will destroy them and theirs."
Not long afterwards, a powerful king invaded their country and put them to death, scattering all
their belongings. (This is a faithful translation of Degel Machanay Ephraim).
THE HOLY AUTHOR OF THE DIBRE CHAYIM ZTL REVEALS THAT IN EUROPE
MILLIONS TURNED AWAY FROM THE FAITH DUE TO FORBIDDEN FOODS
In the book Sheelot u Tshuvot Dibre Chayim (Yore Deah part A, siman 7) we read that in
Europe close to three and a half million Jews left the faith and clanged to foreign ideas and
beliefs, through the agency of evil shochatim and butchers that fed their communities terefot and
nevelot.
Who does not shudder upon reading this frightening account of how far laxity in observance of
the laws of kashruth can pull one down? How frightful it is to read that if one is not
conscientious in his observance of kashruth, he is vulnerable to the false doctrines of denial of
the Torah and the words of the Sages! How frightful it is to read the faithful testimony of the
Rambam and of the saintly disciples of the holy Baal Shem Tov! Unfortunately, now the breach
in the observance of kashruth has become much more widespread than in years gone by.
THE MOST UPRIGHT BUTCHER IS A PARTNER OF AMALEK

See further the last chapter of Kiddushin (82a): "The most upright butcher is a partner of
Amalek." Rashi explains that many cases of questionable kashrut come to his hand, and in trying
to save money, declares them kosher, and - sell them as such. We can see to what extent the
Rabbis evaluate the pitfalls resulting from the butchers, that they did not hesitate to use the
sharpest epithet when referring to them. The expression, "partner of Amalek," is, by far, the
sharpest epithet used in the Talmud. One's hair can stand on end when one thinks about how far
this matter extends. For a question of doubtful kashrut the Rabbis called him such a name, and
not only a usual butcher, but "the most upright butcher " so that no one can be confident in
himself and say that since he appointed a reliable butcher, no pitfalls can result from him, and it
is accepted that a Torah scholar does not allow any pitfall to result from his doings, especially if
the butcher is really learned, since the Rabbis say that a Torah scholar will commit a minor
infraction in order to prevent an ignorant person from committing a major infraction.
WHO IS THE NATION OF AMALEK
The nation of Amalek, descendants of Esav, bore a deeply ingrained hatred against the Jews.
They considered it their duty to take revenge for their forefather Esav on Yaakov's descendants.
As the very name "Amalek" denotes, they were thirsty for Jewish blood. (Amalek is a composite
of am la'k, the people that came to lick blood.) (Lekach Tov)
(As soon as the Bnai Yisrael left Egypt, the Amalekim suggested to the other nations, "Join us in
an attack against the Jews!" As a result, all the nations assembled while the Bnai Yisrael crossed
the Yam Suf. Hashem, however, rendered them all powerless, and they were unable to harm the
Bnai Yisrael. After witnessing the miracles of kerias Yam Suf, the rest of the nations trembled
and did not dare attack. Amalek then suggested to the other nations, "We Amalekim will attack
the Bnai Yisrael! Should they defeat us we will flee, but if we are victorious over them, then
come and join us in our battle."(Mechilta)
Amalek waited for an opportunity to attack, but Hashem protected Israel as long as they were
loyal to Him. Amalek had no power over them, except over sinful individuals. These were
expelled from the Camp by the Clouds of Glory, and were forced to travel outside the Clouds.
They were slain by Amalek. (Mechilta)
Hashem did not allow the Bnai Yisrael to annihilate Amalek since no nation can be destroyed
before its sar (spiritual image, minister) in Heaven has fallen first. Amalek's sar is Satan himself.
He will perish only when sin is no longer to be found in Yisrael. Every time a Jew sins, he adds
strength to the sar of Amalek. It is only when the Bnai Yisrael will be free from sin that Amalek
will be destroyed (Alshich).
REMEMBER THAT THE WORDS OF THE SAGES ARE VERY PRECISE WHEN
THEY SAY THE BEST BUTCHER IS A PARTNER OF AMALEK
Let it be made clear that people's thoughts and reasoning do not coincide with the thoughts and
reasoning of the Rabbis o.b.m. who enjoyed the presence of the Shechinah in their study hall,
and everything recorded in the Mishnah or in the Gemara is hallowed with all kinds of sanctity.
No one ever found fault with them except apostates and sectarians, who left the Jewish fold. See
how the Geonim and the Rishonim toiled to reconcile the presence of a single word and built
piles and piles of halachos upon it. Now, when they called the butcher "a partner of Amalek," the
Shechinah was actually speaking from their throats, and they were agents of the All-merciful,
and if we are human beings, they were veritable angels and seraphim, and all their words are like
fiery coals. Let no man be tempted to say that the Rabbis meant only the butcher but not the
shochet, because if you look at Rosh on Chullin p. 18, and in Maggid Mishneh, Laws of
Shechitah 1:26, you will see that the usual butcher in Talmudic times was also a shochet and an
inspector.
IS WHAT YOU KNOW ABOUT THE KASHRUT OF THE MEAT

YOU EAT ENOUGH TO ANNUL OUR SAGES WORDS?
After this introduction, it should be plain that not everything a person imagines is true, and even
if he feels that he has all sorts of conclusive proofs that this butcher is perfectly reliable, and no
one need investigate his practices, all these proofs are null and void against the testimony of our
Rabbis o.b.m. who stated unequivocally that the most upright of the butchers is the partner of
Amalek. Moreover, any sensible person knows that our generation is surely not better than
previous ones, and the most upright butcher of this generation is immeasurably inferior to the
average butcher of those times, surely to the most upright.
ONE MUST TREMBLE BEFORE BRINGING A
PIECE OF MEAT INTO ONES HOUSE
Therefore, whoever wishes to follow the paths of our holy Torah and its pleasant rulings and
ways, must abandon his own ideas in view of the ideas of the Rabbis of the Talmud, and must
literally quake before bringing any meat into his house.
See what the holy Shaloh (Shne Luchot Ha Brit) writes, he

saw religious men who did not eat any meat except from
animals they themselves had slaughtered. He was very
puzzled concerning the origin of the practice of eating meat
from any shochet without first knowing clearly that the meat
is kosher.
Also, concerning the punishment of one who feeds people forbidden foods, we find that the
Rabbis were unusually harsh with unprecedented stringencies. We find in Chullin 93b that if an
amount of fat the size of barleycorn is found on a piece of meat sold by a butcher, that butcher is
disqualified. If it is the size of an olive, he is subjected to lashes.
WHO CAN CONTRADICT THE

WORDS OF THE PELE YOETZ?
It is extremely difficult to find meat that is kosher
according to all views. I, therefore, derive much
pleasure from the pious that are careful not to eat
meat.
(Pele Yoetz, taref).
IF YOU ONLY EAT POULTRY YOU

AVOID MANY PITFALLS
Whoever wishes to avoid all risks, should be smart to
eat only fowl (poultry) and not bovine meats - because
the pitfalls are all too common and numerous with
them. [And for eating the forbidden fat of bovine meat
we become liable to the punishment of karet and this
punishment does not apply to the consumption of
poultry] (Shulchan Hatahor, Rabbi Aaron Roth
o.b.m. (author of Shomer Emunim, Tohoras
Hakodesh, etc)
ALL OF THE ABOVE APPLIES MUCH MORE NOWADAYS WHEN WE

ARE SUPPLIED MEAT BY HUGE COMPANIES WHO DONT VALUE
TOO MUCH THE FEAR OF HEAVEN BUT DO VALUE PROFITS EVEN
WHEN THE OUTCOME MAY COMPROMISE THE LIVES OF MANY
JEWS
THE PROBLEM WITH THE PURGING (NIKKUR) OF

FORBIDDEN ANIMAL FATS (CHELEV)
J[SZSZ K[YF[ JQA ,NBM BMHL ZUI
Their heart is gross like fat; I delight in your Torah
(Tehillim 119:70)
Blessed be the Creator and extolled be He who formed all worlds, through whose help we
approach the task of writing these few pages aimed to save our brethren Israel of the great pitfall
upon which they stumble inadvertently every day: eating Chelev, the severity of which is explicit
in the Holy Torah, and which any beginner, when he starts to learn Leviticus, reads with fear and
trepidation the explicit verse in the portion of TZAV (LEVITICUS) which reads: Speak to the
children of Israel, saying: Any fat of an ox, sheep, or a goat, you shall not eat ... for whoever
eats fat from an animal from which you may sacrifice an offering to the L-rd, the soul of the
eater shall be cut off from its people."
WE RELY ON UNSCRUPULOUS RABBIS WHO ARE LEADING US TO GEHINOMM
This verse is well-known and every small child understands it, but its practical application is
unknown to many great rabbis in many places, and especially in the United States, even in the
most Orthodox Circles, beginning with the simple laymen even to the greatest Torah scholars,
and because of our many sins, the innocent G-d-fearing follow them blindly with implicit faith to
buy meat upon which a large seal is affixed, bearing the legend, "Glatt Kosher meat, kosher for
the most observant," without giving thought to the severity of the pitfall into which they are
being dragged into and without understanding how to save themselves from the snare spread out
at their feet through the fault of butchers, meat sellers and those who stand by their right hand to
support and defend them. For this reason, we arouse the serious attention of the public and to
shout to all our brethren with an unending heart rendering appeal, "Wake up, you sleepers, from
your lethargy!!! Stand up now! to extinguish the fire that burns all the way up into the high
Heavens. Gird yourselves to fight against the enemy who wish to destroy the surviving remnant,
G-d forbid, by feeding them forbidden food in general and particularly through eating Chelev,
for eating Chelev warrants greater severe penalty than all other forbidden foods, it being of equal
stringency as eating Chametz on Passover and eating on Yom Kippur.
IT IS MORE SEVERE TO EAT FORBIDDEN FATS FROM
A KOSHER ANIMAL THAN TO EAT PORK
Everyone knows how much the Chafetz Chaim o.b.m. warned our brethren in his time,
when they were forced to wander to various places because of the terrible decrees of that
period. He warned them that if they have, G-d forbid, no choice but to eat pork and
animals that died without being properly slaughtered, they should, G-d forbid, not eat
meat from which the Chelev was not removed, but rather pork and animals that died
without being ritually slaughtered, whose prohibition is merely a negative commandment,
rather than, G-d forbid, to stumble upon the prohibition of Chelev, which is punishable by
Karet. Yet, in our times, the situation has reached such an alarming low that without a decree by
the government or any other coercion, they feed our brethren meat from which the Chelev is
either not removed at all or at best not properly removed and in their innocence, many innocent
G-d-fearing people are trapped in a terrible snare, whose results are so far-reaching, that it is
utterly unbelievable even catastrophic in many instances testifying to the terrible occurrences of
devastation we daily witness. Heaven have mercy.
THE JEWS WHO WERE METICULOUS ABOUT THEIR KASHRUT ARE THE ONES
WHO WERE ABLE TO KEEP THEIR FAITH AND TO OBSERVE THE TORAH
It is definite that nikkur of Chelev was always counted among the fields in which pitfalls were
common. This is because of the ignorance of menakkerim (those who purge the meats out of
forbidden fat) and the rabbis, as well as the slothfulness in doing the work with exactitude. Now
the children of Israel were tempted by paganism in every generation. It was those who passed
this test and also observed strictly the laws of prohibited food and drink, who merited leaving
pure and holy generations, from whom a chain or progeny blessed by G-d has emanated from
then until the present and from today until the coming of the righteous Mashiach.
EVERYONE MUST CHOOSE IF HE WANTS TO RISK
TRANSGRESSING THE PROHIBITION OF KARET
Now, the entire Jewish people hang in the balance. Every Jewish soul bears much weight.
Everyone can choose the path in which will bring him long blessed life with all the goodness in
this world in addition to the reward in store for the World to Come if he avoids a prohibition
listed among the most stringent, those punishable by Karet and those that clog the heart of the
souls of the great and the small, that separates the soul from its root, until it is entirely cut off
from the World to Come (as it stated in the holy Zohar quoted by Yesode Veshoresh Ha'avodah,
Gate 7). This is the prohibition of Chelev, punishable by Karet like Chametz on Pesach.
ARE YOU WILLING TO EXPOSE YOUR FAMILY TO
KARET BASED ON FALSE ASSURANCES
Now every G-d fearing person, who fears for his everlasting soul and for that of his
children dare not feel at rest by false assurances, for perhaps they are not true, or with any
other kinds of assurances, since thereby he is endangering his life and those of his children
for all time. Even eating Chelev inadvertently destroys from the soul to the flesh, surely to
behave in this manner all one's life. Especially this is true, when we see trouble increasing
daily, young people are being taken from the world and other troubles and sicknesses, which we
hesitate to print, take their toll on men, women, and children, much more than the usual.
Everyone wonders and asks, "What is this that G-d has done to us?"
WE DO NOT RESPOND TO THE INCREASING REPORTS
OF PROBLEMS WITH THE KASHRUT OF MEAT
Yet no one thinks that perhaps we have not paid enough attention to the growing reports that
increase daily, that the butcher shops are full of Chelev that is punishably by Karet! They turn
their backs to these reports as though they do not pertain to them in any way. They do not give
the matter any thought at all. In the manner they ignore the reports about Chelev, so are they
ignored by G-d in their time of need and distress. This is similar to what the Rabbis stated on the
verse: "And I separated you from the peoples to be Mine." If you are separated from prohibited
foods, you are Mine, and if not, you belong to Nebuchadnezzar and his like.
WE HAVE TO AVOID EVEN A DOUBTFUL CASE OF CHELEV
In conclusion of all the aforementioned, whose heart will not fear and whose hands will not
shake when he picks up a piece of animal flesh and puts it into his mouth without a definite
clarification that the Chelev has been removed properly? Indeed, even if the question would be
of a doubtful case of Chelev, it would still be highly advisable and intelligent to abstain
from eating such meat, for in the Torah we find the penalty of Karet for eating prohibited
foods in only four cases: 1) Eating Chametz on Pesach. 2) Eating on Yom Kippur. 3) Eating
Chelev, and 4) Eating blood. In the case of Chametz on Pesach and eating on Yom Kippur,
every simple Jew will quake in the fear of infracting these prohibitions, even if there is only
a slight chance, if there is a rumor that a food contains Chametz and so it is with Yom
Kippur. Why should the matter of Chelev be looked upon or felt to be of any lesser degree
than the other 3 cases mentioned?
A DOUBTFUL TRANSGRESSION REQUIRES MORE
REPENTANCE THAN AN INTENTIONAL ONE
Moreover, even if one ate something that was possibly Chelev, when the Temple existed, he
would be required to bring a guilt-offering to protect him from agonies until he found out
definitely what it was, as is delineated in the tractate Kerithus and in other places. Now how can
we allow ourselves to eat something for which one must bring a sacrifice along with other
dangerous circumstances. See Rabbenu Yonah's Commentary on the beginning of Berachos,
where he writes that a doubtful case of a sin requires more repentance than a definite
commitment of a sin, for a person regrets his sin more when he is certain that he has committed
in than when he does not know definitely. Therefore, a doubtful guilt-offering was to be more
extensive than a sin-offering. This is delineated in Kerisus 22, which see. ibid. See also Avot d
Rabbi Nathan, ch. 30: Rabbi Meir says: Whoever commits a doubtful sin is accounted as though
he has committed a definite sin: How so? If a person sins and his sin is known to him, he brings a
sin-offering for a sela (a coin), whereas if it is uncertain whether he sinned, he brings a doubtful
guilt-offering for two selaim (2 coins). It is indeed the decided halachah: (Rama, Orach Chaim
603): One needs to repent of a doubtful sin more than of a definite one. See further in books of
the poskim, where it is explained that, concerning atonement and repentance, one must fear even
a chance of less than half (Reponsa; Lev Aryeh on Chullin 11, Yismach Mosheh, parshas
Toledos, on the verse: "And Jacob approached," and in Responsa Avnei Zedek, Orach Chaim,
74). See also Mesillas Yesharim, that one must avoid a doubtful sin as one does actual poison.
See also Yoreh Deah, end of ch. 116, that a devout person would not eat of an animal upon
which a sage issued a decision, and it is understood that a case of doubtful Chelev upon which
sages issued a decision, which is prohibited by the Torah because of Chelev, even simple people
should not eat.
EVEN IF SOME FOODS ARE PERMITTED FOR CHILDREN
THEY NEVERTHELESS CLOG THE HEART
In conclusion, let us mention further what Pri Chadash writes in Yoreh Deah, ch. 81, that
something interdicted by the Torah, even if it can be permitted for small children, nevertheless
clogs the heart and brain, as we find a similar statement in Responsa Arugas Habosem
concerning a milk from a cow that eats Chametz on Pesach and in Ketzos Hashulchan, laws of
Shabbat, laws concerning the critically ill, in Baddei Hashulchan he quotes the Netziv, that, for
this reason, we slaughter for the critically ill, rather than feed him non-kosher meat that was
prepared from before Shabbat, (even though a critically ill person may eat it) it nevertheless,
clogs the heart and the brain. These facts are really awesome.
THE HOLY ZOHAR SAYS THAT WHOSOEVER CONTAMINATES HIMSELF WITH

FORBIDDEN FOODS HAS NO SHARE IN THE G-D OF ISRAEL
It is appropriate to mention a selection from Yesod veshoresh Ha'avodah (Gate 7, Sha'ar
Habechoroth) wherein he admonishes to avoid infracting a Torah prohibition although emanating
from a doubt of a doubt, according to the holy Zohar, which states that whosoever contaminates
himself with prohibited food has no share in G-d of Israel, nor in the World to Come, and he is
punished for generations upon generations. This is the exact language: It is not fit for a person to
fall full length on the ground and to put his mouth into dirt and for rivulets of water to stream
from his eyes, neither to be silent by day, nor to rest at night if he figures that he was not careful
enough during his lifetime to avoid prohibited food, the penalty for which is more severe than for
all other sins. According to the holy Zohar mentioned above, that for all sins in the Torah, even
though punishable by death, after one has suffered his punishment in Gehinnom and with other
punishments, as he was sentenced in the upper world, he has, at least, a share in the Holy One
Blessed be He, and a share in the World to Come. But, one who contaminates himself with
prohibited foods, has neither a share in G-d of Israel nor in the World to Come and he is
punished for generations upon generations. It does not suffice to free oneself alone with caution,
but one must warn others as well.
THE ARI HA KADOSH RECOMMENDED NOT TO EAT THE HIND QUARTER IN
ORDER TO AVOID POSSIBLE TRANSGRESSION
It is stated further in the same work that according to ARI zal, one should not eat the hind
quarters at all even if nikkur has been performed properly. In the United States they even sell the
hind quarters without informing the public. This can rightfully be termed the height of brutality.
It is indeed astonishing that everyone avoids matzah if there is the least doubt that it may
contain Chametz, even if it is kosher according to the Shulchan Aruch, whereas Chelev,
which is just as severe as Chametz, both of them being punishable by Karet and which
pertains all year round, not only on Pesach - when he hears any kind of excuse, he is happy
that he has an alibi to eat as much meat as his heart desires.
FOR THE SMALLEST INFRACTION A MENNAKER

IS DISQUALIFIED FROM HIS JOB
Beis Yitzchak states (Akeres habais, 4:6): No menakker shall let the meat out of his hand unless
he examines it twice and even three times, for if a barleycorn of Chelev is found after his nikkur,
he is dismissed and much need be done to rectify his carelessness. We see how very important
the caution and examination after the menakkerim is, all of which has been completely abolished
nowadays. We hope that by reading this, people will be inspired to beware of eating prohibited
foods in general and particularly from eating Chelev and we will merit with the help of the L-rd
that His Name be sanctified through us and that the strength of Torah and the fear of G-d be
renewed in all ways until we merit the coming of the Mashiach, the son of David, speedily and in
our days. Amen.
A Letter From Rabbi Shlomoh Greenberg of Niedderhaz Regarding the Status of Nikkur
(Purging the forbidden fats out of animals) in America
Truth Will Spring Forth From the Earth

With a joyful heart and tears of happiness, I offer thanks to the Great Creator, blessed be
He, for His kindness, with which He favored us in the recent past. When I had just arrived
in America, I looked for work in kosher butcher shops, since I had experience in the old
country in the field of Nikkur. To my great astonishment, I discovered that the procedure
of Nikkur was much different from what it was years ago. What was called Chelev years
ago, is kosher here in America. I went from one establishment to another, but without
success; one was not any better than the other. Despite my strong argument that the
Geonim, the great Rabbis and menakkerim of yesteryear in the old country were greater
scholars and better trained, more pious and more experienced than those in America, To
my deep chagrin, all these fell on deaf ears. Not willing to compromise my traditional way
of Nikkur, I sought employment in permissible fields and Thank G-d, He did not forsake
me.
HOW COULD WE HAVE SUNK SO LOW
IN KASHRUT OBSERVANCE
At the same time, however, my conscience bothered me, how during the few years that
elapsed since the Holocaust, we had sunk to such a low level, and how holy the eyes of the
Tzaddikim of yesterday were, when they said, "in America, even the very stones are treif."
Although I would not allow any animal flesh to be brought into my home, I just couldnt
bear to see how people go in and out of butcher shops and buy all kinds of meats, including
salami, pastrami, frankfurters, etc. not knowing the damage that they are doing to their
souls and to the souls of their beloved children.
GOOD NEWS: THE VISHNITZER REBBE FORBIDS

HIS FOLLOWERS TO EAT MEAT
Therefore, it is very satisfying indeed to hear the good news that the Vishnitzer Rebbe
Shlita of Monsey strictly ordered all his disciples, followers and friends not to eat any
animal flesh (ordinary meat, salami, pastrami, frankfurters, etc.) Here you can witness the
devotion of chassidim to their rebbi. They took the very morsel of food out of their mouths
and threw it away in order to conform with the directive of their rebbi. Hundreds of
pounds of stored-up meat found its way in the garbage can, all because of the Rebbi's
order;... that "Animal flesh has unquestionable probabilities of containing Torah
prohibited Chelev ... which is an issur D'Oraisa."
THE JOY OF A MITZVAH TRULY

PERFORMED FOR THE SAKE OF HEAVEN
You should have seen the joy with which this mitzvah was performed! fulfilling a request
that would highly please Hashem. It was just like taking an esrog, reciting Hallel, eating
matzoh without distinction. I eagerly recited the brocha of Shehechionu, that G-d let us live
to experience such a phenomenon: with thanksgiving to the Creator and a prayer for the
future that the zeal of the righteous shall increase the fear of Heaven, so that all grand
rabbis and their followers roshei yeshivos with their disciples and the entire Jewish people
shall emulate their example. This great mitzvah has the power to bring near the complete
redemption. Amen
Shlomo Greenberg from Niedderhaz

Brooklyn, N.Y. Rosh Chodesh Menachem Av 5742
A LETTER FROM THE KASHAUER RAV TO ALL

HIS STUDENTS CONCERNING CHELEV
RABBI RAFAEL BLUM

165 HAINES ROAD #2, BEDFORD HILLS, N.Y. 10507
(914) 666-6800
By the Grace of G-d
Parshas Haazinu 5743 Baruch Hashem:
Bedford Hills, New York
Peace and blessings to the honor of all my dear pupils and may the Al-mighty bless you. This
letter is directed toward the matter which I was asked many times about - in reference to meat -
about which many people have raised the question - that the forbidden fats (called Chelev) are
not properly removed. According to personal inspection this very week in the presence of highly
qualified specialists in the art of Chelev removal;
DUE TO OUR MANY SINS THE MEAT
WE EAT IS NOT KOSHER
It was clarified that unfortunately due to our great sins the meats which were bought in these past
few weeks from butcher stores renowned for the highest quality in Kashrus was not separated
from the forbidden fat properly. There remained upon the meat Chelev which is strictly
forbidden according to our Holy Torah. We found in the meat forbidden fat (Chelev) according
to our Torah including part from the hind quarters intact with its fat. This by no means a matter
dependent upon various customs or different opinions of Halachic authorities whatsoever.
I INVOKE YOU NOT TO EAT ANY MEAT
Hence it is unanimously forbidden according to the edicts of our Holy Torah beyond the
shadow of a doubt. Therefore, I sincerely appeal implore, beg and beseech you all to refrain
from consuming any more meat whatsoever until this deplorable situation becomes
completely and properly rectified with the help of the Al-Mighty according to all laws of
our Holy Torah. May the Al-mighty send us his blessings to be inscribed in the book of
good life amongst all of Israel with a year of redemption and salvation. For a verification I
hereby attest my signature.
RABBI RAFAEL BLUM

RECENTLY THE ROV AGAIN MAINTAINED HIS DECISION

RECOMMENDING NOT EATING ANY MORE MEATS
On the 5th of NISSAN, 5762 we questioned the Kashauer Rebbe shlita on the following:
Has the situation today changed for the better, are we allowed to eat bovine meat, at least on
Yom Tov?
Can we rely today on the new slaughter houses that publicize the fact that they do everything
according to the strictest opinions of law LEMEHADRIN MIN MEHADRIN, can we eat their
meat?
UP UNTIL TODAY THINGS HAVENT CHANGED FOR THE BETTER
And this is what he answered: Due to our many sins the times havent changed for the better,
and he who guards his soul and the souls of his household that they dont stumble through
forbidden foods, and if he wants to continue being faithful to Hashem and His Torah, will
remove himself as far as possible from eating all bovine meat, no matter from where or
what slaughterhouse it comes from until the coming of our righteous Mashiach.
He also pointed out that Kashrut is one of the three things that caused the fall of Jewish belief
here in America as well as in the rest of the places as is brought in the Holy Zohar Shemini: He
who eats forbidden foods, joins himself to the SITRA ACHRA (forces of evil) and exiles his soul
and body, the spirit of TUMA (impurity) and he shows that he has no portion in the G-d of Israel.
A TALMID CHACHAM WHO HAS NO KNOWLEDGE (DAAT), A

NEVEILAH (CARCASS) IS BETTER THAN HIM (MIDRASH VAYIKRA 1:1)
The holy Rabbi Baruch mi Gorelitz, ztl explained the midrash as follows: Those Rabbanim that
give out Kashrut certifications on meat for their monetary gain, and they are not meticulous as it
is necessary, that everything will follow the law, thereby putting stumbling blocks in front of the
masses by feeding them NEVEILOT U TREIFOT, a neveilah (carcass) is indeed better than
them, because a piece of meat that comes from a carcass can only damage a particular man
where it is located, but those Rabbanim can from afar damage other people, and this is the
meaning of the cited midrash: A Talmid Chacham that has no DAAT, he has no knowledge and is
not careful to perform his duties to guard and overview the slaughtering of the animal, a carcass
is better than him. (13 OROT)
THE GAON RAB ELIEZER SILBER ZTL WARNS AGAINST THE METHOD OF
SHECHITA TELUYA (THE ANIMAL IS MADE TO HANG IN THE AIR)
Published in the Monthly publication HAMAOR in TEVET 5719 (1960) The Gaon Rabbi
Eliezer Silber, av bet din of the city of Cincinnati writes the following letter to Rab Lipa
Deutsch, av bet din of the Holmetz Kehilla:
I will inform of the reasons and the arguments of those that waged wars against the grave
problems of the Shechita Teluya (the animal is made to hang in the air, thereby moving and
shaking with great force) This war was waged in many cities and many butcheries in the last
years and as it was already forbidden with strong arguments more than 50 years ago by the
RIDBAZ from Salutzk and Tzfat when he was here in Denver. And I also prohibited this method
of Shechita, after I saw how the gentiles that hold the head of the bulls and other animals that are
hanging, move the head at the time of the Shechita many times, and in particular when the
animal makes resistance and puts its head to the side, then the gentile with his hands presses the
head of the animal against the knife, and this is like him actually helping in the slaughter proper,
and as if the Jew and the gentile were slaughtering together. And the gentile brings the head of
the animal on the knife and the Shochet brings the knife on the neck of the animal. And many
times, the gentile actually presses the head of the animal against the knife. And this I saw so
many times that I prohibited this method of Shechita.
THE SATAN RULES IN THE SLAUGHTERHOUSES
And with the help of G-d, when I was in the slaughter houses as the supervisor, the shechita was
done by putting the animal on the ground on its back and this is how they were slaughtering up
until a few years in the large slaughterhouses in New York, Chicago, Boston. And only after the
older Rabbis passed away and the process of Shechita was given to the supervision of younger
men, they went back to the wrong ways without asking the older Rabbis and Talmide
Chachamim and I stand on my duty to warn you that theres doubts of nevelot in many of those
slaughterhouses.
FROM THE BOOK CHEN TOV, RAV AHARON TZVI FREEDMAN ZTL FORBIDS
THE METHOD OF SHECHITA TELUYA MORE THAN 130 YEARS AGO
After having worked as a shochet for over 30 years Rav Freedman declares that it is forbidden to
slaughter in this fashion (Shechita Teluya) and that he who slaughters thus feeds nevelot and
terefot to the Jews without a doubt and all those who fear Hashem will not dare eat any meat
because it is disqualified and surely contaminates and impurifies the soul.
Rav Freedman cites in the book that when the animal is hanging, as anything that hangs, has
more mobility making the slaughter much more difficult and it is known that if theres
movement at the time of the slaughter then it is not kosher. Also the movement of the animal
makes the Shochet be afraid lest the animal hurt him and not only that, but the gentiles that work
in the slaughterhouse are the ones holding the head of the animal against the knife, as the animal
moves violently and this without a doubt disqualifies the Shechita.
And so the Rav prohibited any slaughter from below toward above (as when the animal is
hanging) and all Shochatim should be refrained for doing this abomination, and anyone who can
help solve this situation and doesnt, will in the future have to give an accounting. Rav Freedman
said: Dont believe the Shochatim when they declare that their shechita is good, but it is evil in
the eyes of Hashem and they are great sinners those who say everything is fine.
SOMETHING THAT CAN BE DETERMINED BY THE PERSON (WHETHER THE
SHECHITA NOWADAYS IS GOOD OR NOT) AND IS NOT DETERMINED, DOESNT
FALL IN THE CATEGORY OF A DOUBTFUL THING ANYMORE (SHULCHAN
ARUCH, YOREH DEAH I, SIMAN 39) AND THE ONE WHO TRANSGRESSES IS
CONSIDERED A WILLFUL SINNER (MEZID) AND NOT A DOUBTFUL ONE
(SHOGEG)
This means, you have in your power to find out if the slaughterhouses really observe all the laws
as they should, but instead you choose to rely on the big kosher sign on the envelope surrounding
the meat, then you will be considered guilty of transgressing the prohibition of eating forbidden
foods on purpose, because it was in your power to find out and you didnt. And of course you
will make the effort to find out something for which a transgression warrants the punishment of
Karet (Excision, early death).
WHEN THERE IS A RUMOR (KOL RINUN), WHEN PEOPLE TALK ABOUT
SOMETHING CONSTANTLY, THEN IT IS FORBIDDEN TO EAT FROM THAT
PARTICULAR SHECHITA
This is brought in the Sheelot uTshuvot Divre Chayim and the Sheelot uTshuvot of the
Maharshag. In the Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh Deah, siman 21) we read further that it is forbidden to
disqualify a shochet unless we have the testimony of two witnesses on something that can
disqualify the shochet. But it is proper and it is a mitzvah for every Jew to worry about rumors
and the shochet about whom we hear the rumors should not be allowed a priori to slaughter.
THE CHAFETZ CHAIM DECLARES THAT WHEN A RUMOR IS VERY

PERSISTENT AND DOESNT STOP THEN IT HAS A VERY STRONG VALIDITY
AND IT IS NOT LASHON HARAH
Look in the Sefer Chafetz Chayim (klal 4, saif 10-11, klal 6 saif b) and the Gemara (Nida 60a).
When the rumor persists then we should look into the matter and worry about the consequences
that it may be true
WILL YOU NOT WAKE UP?

You have read about three faithful witnesses, three
great Rabbis (The Kashauer Rebbi, Reb Eliezer
Silber and Rab Aharon Tzvi Freedman) that
witness as to the general situation of the
slaughtering process. Will you not concede that
after all youve read in these few and short pages
there is enough evidence to worry that we may be
consuming forbidden fats and therefore that we
may be liable to the punishment of Karet every time
we put a piece of meat into our mouths? Will you
not be smart and protect you and your family from
being liable to harsh decrees due to the faults of
unscrupulous Shochtim and business owners who
think only to make a profit disregarding
completely the stern consequences of transgressing
G-ds laws in such a terrible manner?
PROBLEMS WITH THE WHITE MEAT OF

YOUNG CALVES (AGALOT LEVENIM)
CONGREGATION MACHZIKEI HADAS DCHASIDEI BELZ

IN THE UNITED STATES
IN RESPONSE TO INQUIRIES
With the help of G-d, who purifies us and sanctifies us through the sanctification of food, we
have been asked by G-d-fearing people for more than two years whether our ritual slaughter
department could also provide white veal.
We referred the matter to the rabbis of our community, and after examining the issue in depth
and in detail, they have determined that:
There are many questions about the way the white calves are fattened and raised, and many
questions about the possibility that the animals are rendered unfit for kosher ritual slaughter
because of problems in the lungs and other internal organs.
Therefore,
We are refraining from accepting White Veal in the ritual slaughter
department of Congregation Machzikei Hadas DChasidei Belz.
THE WARNING OF THE AUTHOR OF THE SHNE LUCHOT HABRIT

We would like to refer to the writings of the eminent rabbi, Avraham Halevi Horowitz, (author
of Shnei Luchos Habris 1560-1630) in Section 100, where he deemed praiseworthy the
stringency of prohibiting foods that carry a possible reason for prohibition. He writes as follows:
The Torah warned about both prohibited and permitted foods in the verses regarding
sanctification of the Jewish People and regarding not defiling ones soul. The holy book, The
Zohar, comments on this issue, stating that non-kosher food prohibited by the Torah carries
impure spiritual forces, and therefore anyone eating such food defiles his soul, and acts as if he
has no connection to things holy or to G-d himself. This is because the impure food becomes part
of the persons body and soul when he eats it, and it dwells in him, etc. A person should not eat
anything about which there is controversy per the verse that states that a person should not
follow the masses, because this involves an issue of Jewish law.
FOR THE SAKE OF THE HONOR OF THE TORAH

We have adopted this ruling for the sake of the honor of the Torah and the sanctity of food and
retaining the purity of kosher food.
The Ritual Slaughter Department
Congregation Machzikei Hadas of the United States
A SERIOUS AND SOLEMN WARNING
Whereas all Orthodox butchers sell meat known as white veal (black and white), we would like
to inform the public that many years ago the esteemed Rabbi Moshe Feinstein of New York
prohibited veal meat because of the following extremely serious problems:
1. These animals are grazed with non-kosher animals.
2. There are serious problems regarding the Jewish legal status of their lungs.
3. There are serious questions regarding their internal organs.
4. Only 10-15% of such animals slaughtered are deemed kosher by virtue of the status of their
lungs.
It is difficult to understand why all organizations involved in kashruth, even the finest among
them, have not considered it important to inform the public about the dangerous choice facing
Orthodox families on a daily basis.
N.B. We would like to make known that for the last ten years, ever since he learned of the
problem, Rabbi Avraham Kleinman, the head of the rabbinical court of the Margareten
community, has prohibited the slaughter of veal in his ritual slaughter department.
There are many questions about the way the white calves are fattened and raised, and many
questions about the possibility that the animals are rendered unfit for kosher ritual slaughter
because of problems in the lungs and other internal organs.
Note: The meat of these animals is sold in all kosher butcher stores in Boro Park, Williamsburg
and Monsey, and everyone eats the veal.
RABBINICAL OPINION PERTAINING

TO JEWISH LAW
REGARDING WHITE VEAL
FROM RABBI MOSHE FEINSTEIN
.With regard to calf slaughter that has recommenced recently, the animals are
fattened with very rich liquids that are not intended for animals, which is in
opposition to what is stated in the Talmud, tractate Bechoros, p. 39. In addition,
this makes the animals ill, causing them to need all types of medication. Highly-
skilled ritual slaughterers have themselves only deemed some 16% of the animals
as kosher. In general, most are thus not kosher. Although it appears that this is
because of problems in the lungs of the animals examined by slaughterers
according to laws pertaining to the lungs, it is also possible that animals are
considered unkosher by virtue of their internal organs, which must also be checked
because this is a very serious issue. Therefore, it is appropriate that this should be
forbidden, and G-d-fearing persons should not eat this type of veal even if their
internal organs are checked. Without examining the internal organs, these animals
may not be deemed kosher at all. An examination of the imperforated internal
organs, and of blisters that are perforated, and only a cursory examination of the
internal organs and the blisters caused by weak organs, without an examination of
the internal organs, may not be deemed kosher.
signed
RABBI MOSHE FEINSTEIN
UNTIL WHEN?
A PAINFUL CRY BY THE GAON AND
TZADDIK RABBI SHRAGA FEIVEL
MENDELOWITZ, O.B.M.
9 Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was
in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with restraining myself, and
I could not.
10 For I heard the calumny of many, fear on every side. Denounce him, we will denounce him,
say my close friends as they watch for my stumbling. Perhaps he will be persuaded, and we shall
prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him. 11 But the Lord is with me like a
mighty awesome one; therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail; they
shall be greatly ashamed; for they shall not succeed; their everlasting confusion shall never be
forgotten. 12 But, O Lord of hosts, who tests the righteous, and sees the inwards and the heart,
let me see your vengeance on them; for to you have I opened my cause. (Jeremiah 20:9-12).
THE PRESS HAS BEEN SILENT ABOUT THOSE WHO

SLAUGHTER NONKOSHER MEAT UNDER
RABBINICAL SUPERVISION
I use the above prophetic words as a preface to my article concerning Kashrut, because this
article will not bring honor to me. On the contrary, I will be attacked with ridicule from all sides.
But, what can I do? A fire is burning within me, and within a thousand Jews like me ... a fire
which cannot be extinguished. The Kashrut question has recently been discussed in the yiddish
press, but only one side of the question, viz. concerning the unscrupulous butchers who sell
Trefot without a hechsher or with a false one. The press has remained silent, however,
concerning the second side of the question, about the Trefot being sold under rabbinical
supervision and under rabbinical signs in butcher shops. The press is silent about this problem,
perhaps because of the honor of the rabbis, or, perhaps, because of other reasons. The honor of
the rabbis is dear to me, too. But, the honor of the Torah which is lying in the garbage, and the
honor of the truth, which is trodden under foot, are dearer to me. Where there is chillul Hashem
we do not impart any honor to a rabbi. I, therefore, come forward with an accusation.
I ACCUSE THE RABBIS WHO GRANT HECHSHERIM

AND PERMIT NON KOSHER MEAT TO BE SOLD
I Accuse.
I accuse many rabbis, who grant hechsherim, who knowingly or otherwise, or out of neglect,
permit no - kosher meat to be sold under their stamp of approval both wholesale and retail; the
seller is an unscrupulous person with Torah sanction.
I accuse many rabbis who grant hechsherim, to whose attention many Jews have brought this
problem, that Trefot are being sold under their hashgachah, yet they have kept this matter quiet
and permitted the butchers to continue to sell Trefot to their hearts' content.
I ACCUSE THE RABBIS WHO ARE NOT INVOLVED

YET DO NOT SAY ANYTHING
I accuse many rabbis, who, although they themselves have no part in the hechsherim,
nevertheless, know about them and still remain silent. There is a sort of mutual reciprocal
agreement to keep quiet about each other's false hescherim. Perhaps it is because they wish to
avoid a chilul Hashem. They forget, however, that where there is a chilul Hashem, we do not
impart any honor to a rabbi. I accuse the very great rabbis, the leaders of our people, because of
the internal strife. These disputes are not for the sake of Heaven; if one says that something is
prohibited, the other one must say it is permissible, if one says that something is contaminated,
the other must say that it is pure. It is impossible to bring order into the chaotic Kashrut situation,
especially in the meat and chicken markets. I accuse the rabbis who have also neglected Kashrut
in other fields. They have, for instance, disregarded Kashrut in pastries, when most bakeries use
egg powder in baking Rolls and challos, even though it is known, almost without a doubt, that
this is made from eggs of non-kosher birds. Some Jewish bakeries even use lard, as simple as
that.
I ACCUSE THE RABBIS WHO
PERMIT CHALAV AKUM
I accuse the rabbis, because of whose negligence, the laws of cholov akum (gentile milk and
gentile cheeses) have virtually been forgotten. I know that there are various heterim for this, but
they apply only when it is impossible to obtain Jewish milk and cheese. In our situation,
however, with a little effort, order could be brought into this chaos, and "if one can be good, why
should he be bad?"
HORSE MILK IS SERVED ALL OVER

It is especially noteworthy, that a certain agricultural school publicized in its report that unclean
animals (especially horses) are milked all over. Consequently, our sages fear that the gentiles
will mix in milk of unclean animals is equally applicable today as it was in Mishnaic times. I
accuse our orthodoxy, for sleeping the sleep of Choni Hamaagel, who slept seventy years. They
are completely unaware of what is happening around them and how our strongest ramparts are
being smashed by our internal foes. They are unaware that all our holy traditions are being
trampled underfoot, that our three thousand year hold heritage has all but completely
disappeared. Yet, Orthodoxy sleeps. But how much longer?
KASHRUT IS A FORTRESS THAT

HAS PROTECTED THE JEWS
Do you know that all of the fortresses of Judaism which have protected us from destruction, the
only one left is Kashrut, that the other mitzvos are observed very laxly even in Orthodox homes?
And now Kashrut too is being smashed, yet you sleep. But how much longer?
EVEN WITH JEWISH EDUCATION, JEWS WHO EAT

NON KOSHER CANT BECOME PROPER JEWS
If you have begun to build yeshivos and Talmud Torahs during the past few years, in order to
give your children a Jewish education and to implant Jewish traits in them, do you not know that
bodies nourished with Nevelot and Trefot cannot become Jews wit Jewish character traits? Don't
you know that Nevelot and Trefot clog the heart and cause predestined demise? Heaven forbid.
Yet you sleep, but how much longer?
Don't you see what has become of your youth? Don't you know that Jewish children have
become tramps, gamblers, gangsters, candidates for the electric chair, and all kinds of "ist"s only
because they have been raised on Nevelot and Trefot, yet you sleep. But for how much longer?
EVEN IMMERSION IN THE

MIKVEH WILL BE OF NO AVAIL
Don't you know that going to the mikveh every day to purify yourselves will be of no avail? Not
even all the waters in the world can help, since you immerse yourselves, not with a carcass of a
creeping thing in your hand but inside of you! And when you pray every morning and evening or
when you learn your daily lesson of Torah, don't you know that the breath that emanates from
your mouth is the breath of sin? Because it reeks of Nevelot and Trefot? Yet you sleep, but how
much longer? When you wash your hands to eat a roll, or when you make kiddush, and the table
is bedecked with challos, meat, fish, and all sorts of delicacies, and you say with each bite, "in
honor of the Shabbos" you are angering G-d?. Yet you sleep, but how much longer?
I know that you will reply that "Jacob is small and poor", but look what Jacob's brother on East
Broadway has accomplished, how he erected a fortress through the poor laborers, a fortress
against Judaism, because he has united forces. Yet you sleep and do nothing. But how much
longer?
OUR FATHERS DIED FOR KIDDUSH HA SHEM
AND YET HOW DO WE BEHAVE?
Gentlemen! Do a little soul searching and see how far you have strayed; remember that our
parents have sacrificed their lives for kiddush Hashem; they allowed themselves to be burned
and roasted in order to uphold our holy Torah, whereas you are not required to make any
sacrifice; with but a handful you can save the situation. Yet you sleep. But how much longer?
HAVE YOU NOT FEAR OF THE DAY OF JUDGMENT?

Fellow Jews! Have you no fear for the great and terrible day of judgment? On that day you will
no longer be able to come up with excuses or with a shrug of the shoulders. And I ask you,
"How much longer?" And I say, "You sleepers, awaken from your slumber
THE EATING OF FORBIDDEN FATS BRINGS A

PERSON TO RENEGE ON THE G-D OF ISRAEL LIKE
WE SAW WITH THE EPISODE OF SHABETAI TZVI
(MAY HIS NAME BE BLOTTED OUT)
It is brought in the book Torat ha Knaot by Rabbi Yaakov Emden ztl the following: The bet Din
of Yerushalaim in the times of Shabetai Tzvi testified to what he did: He gathered ten Jews and
fed them the fat on the kidneys which is punishable by Karet and on this food he pronounced the
blessing (Blessed are You, G-d, who permits the forbidden).
WARNING OF THE CHAFETZ CHAYIM ZTL

How much will an individual regret, when with a mere admonition, he could have extricated
himself from all these punishments. Let him not be misled by the fact that others will share the
punishment with him considering that he is not the only one in the city to have transgressed
thereby finding false comfort. As an analogy: In the event a person is a co-signer on a note
encumbering a debt of millions of dollars, regardless the number of additional co-signers, when
the debt becomes due, even if required to reimburse only a small fraction thereof, it could
amount to a sizable sum, which will be quite painful to pay.
Similarly, since today the ingestion and partaking of prohibited foods has become unfortunately
widespread when the time for reckoning arrives, it will amount to many thousands of olive sized
pieces of prohibited foods. Consequently, those capable of arousing the populace in their vicinity
to observe kashrus strictly and thereby prevent untold thousands of Jews who were lax from
eating non-kosher, will surely be considered the most guilty. Our sages admonish (Tana D'vei
Eliyahu): Anyone able to protest and refrains to do so; Anyone able to elicit repentance and does
not do so, all blood spilled will be credited to his negligence and held against him...
THE YETZER HA RA SITS IN A

CHAIR WITH THREE LEGS
The "Chatam Sofer" of blessed memory (Orach Chaim 205) writes that the Yetzer Hara (the evil
inclination) sits on a chair with three legs. The first being the Chazanim who do not properly
direct the prayers of the Jews in their congregation, the second the Shochatim through whose
fault Jews eat Nevaylot Utrayfot and the third the scribes who write Tefillin and Mezuzot
improperly, so that- they are pasul, and these three are sufficient for the Yetzer Hara. We find
similar things expressed by the Toldos Yaakov Joseph, (Parshas Noso) and also by the Vilna
Gaon (Maasay Rav 90) who writes that it is preferable to eat dairy food on Shabbat, rather
than eating from a cow which was slaughtered by a Shochet who was not supervised by
anyone during the Shechita.
JEWS IN GERMANY BECAME HERETIC
THROUGH EATING FORBIDDEN FOODS
The "Divre Chayim" (Yoreh Deah 1, 7) mentions that he has seen many G-d-fearing men and
Torah scholars who had become Shochatim and then deviated from the path of righteousness. He
adds that because of Shochatim who were not conscientious, many communities in Germany
gave up their orthodoxy, may G-d protect us. From all this we see that if people are not very
careful with respect to the Shechita and are not G-d fearing, they will cause great damage.
All forbidden foods possess your nourishment and are harmful to the body. (Guide to the
Perplexed section 3 chapter 43.) All forbidden foods axe injurious to the body. (Ibn Ezra
Leviticus 11: 43) For it is known that the consumed body becomes the body of the consumer.
THE EVIL HAMAN GOT PERMISSION FOR HIS EVIL DECREE

FROM THE FACT THAT HE FED JEWS FORBIDDEN FOODS
WHEN THEY ENJOYED THE BANQUET OF THE KING
ACHASHVEROSH AND MORDECHAI SAVED THE JEWS
THROUGH HIS ACTIONS TO AVOID FORBIDDEN FOODS
It is brought in the Talmud (Meguila 12): That is why we say ARUR HAMAN (Damned is
Haman) because he requested to destroy us when he fed The Jews forbidden foods, and through
this he had the power to issue harsh decrees against the Jews.
And the BACH wrote (Orach Chayim, Siman 670): In Purim was the main decree against the
Jews because they enjoyed the Kings festive meal, that is why death was decreed on the bodies
that enjoyed from forbidden food and drink and from the joy of forbidden banquets, and when
they did Teshuva and afflicted their souls as Esther said: Go and gather the Jews so that they
should not eat nor drink for three days, therefore Purim was established as a day of eating and
feasting in order to remember the essence of the miracle. This is why we say BARUCH
MORDECHAI (Blessed is Mordechai) the Jew because in his merit the Jews were saved from
the decree of Haman, he was careful to protect the Jews from eating forbidden foods, that is why
he sat in the gates of the King so that Esther would not eat forbidden foods.
THE SECRET OF BLESSED MORDECHAI

AND CURSED HAMAN
YZB=502=POE YFYA =502= JLDYO KFYB
Hereby we bring you many words and their numeric values (Gematria) to show
you how far the problem of the nonkosher meat reaches. Through the gematriot we
see how the Satan and Amalek dominate through the sin of forbidden foods
(mainly meat), just as in Purim the decree to destroy the Jews in one day came
through the sin of forbidden foods. Only when the Jews broke the breach in
Kashrut was Haman able to gain the upper hand, and had it not been for Mordechai
the Jew, so called because he didnt let the Jews eat forbidden foods, we would
have been exterminated, G-d forbid. And Esther was willing to fast even during the
first days of Pesach, in order to find mercy in the eyes of G-d. We will not explain
in detail each equivalency but you should know that it is a very complex matter
that forces the person to conclude that the benefits of not eating meat are infinite
because the fight against Amalek lies here, and not for nothing the Talmud
(Kiddushin 82a) says: The best butcher is a partner of Amalek. You will see that
theres a Gematria with the word Mikdash Meat because also through our proper
conduct in the synagogues and our responding AMEN, we can defeat Amalek and
the Satan (see further in the section of The Sanctity of the synagogue). G-d was
gracious to me and let me reveal these things during Seudat Purim while I was
drunk as the Talmud prescribes, confirming the statement that when wine goes in,
the secret comes out and wine and secret both have the value 70 in Gematria.
YZB=502=POE YFYA =502= JLDYO KFYB

YZB=503=EJH[U= JLDYO
(From Kav Ha Yashar) YZB=502=147+180+175=[FBA NJQZ
(From Kav Ha Yashar) YZB=502=451=MASOZJ+51=NFDA

YZB=502= MMFL+ [FJ[A 5+496=P[JFM
YZB=501=35=JAHFJ +466=PFSOZ
YZB=501=BHAB+ZDS+KWD
YZB=502=BY BYS HL
YZB=501=YZA---,EZSQ YZA ML [A SDJ JLDYOF
XJXJ+XZ=425=EZSQ
639=[SDE VS,637=XJXJ [AYJ,YZB NFW=638=[FBAE [FOZ
660 = [YL BMH , 661=Y[RA
1146=PIZE+XMOS+YZB BMH,1146=NMJO 2+1144=Y[RA [MJCO
931=PIZ+XMOS+EIJHZ ,932=SYF BFI [SDE VS
HJZO =358=XJXJ+EIJHZ,687=XJXJ+Y[RA, 687=YUAF XZ
MASOZJ NDA AYU=YUA,NFDA DCQ 400=XZ
HRU=148=(JMS) FOFWF
1130=NMJO 2+[FJ[A 6+ [YL YZB=1130=NJOJ [ZMZ
336=MLAOE+XMOS,336=NJYFU
337=[FJ[A 5+EIJHZ ,337=MMFL+NJYFU
335=POE+XMOS,336=NJYFU
[FJ[A 6+[JZAYB=919=YZB+NJYFULE NFJ
PIZ+YZB=861=EQZE ZAY
PIZ YD =ISO ZDXO=563=XMOS+IHFZ
359=PIZ , 358=ZHQ
954=NMJO 2+952=ZQFSF YLZ,954=474=BY BYS+480=AYHA AYIR
(TEHILIM 119:70) J[SZSZ K[YF[ JQA ,NBM BMHL ZUI
389= NMJO 2+387=EUYIF+EMBQ 389=ZUI
YZB=YAZ=ERJSBZ YAZ
THE PERSON SUFFERS WHEN HE EATS NON KOSHER

FOODS KNOWINGLY OR WITHOUT KNOWING
The holy Zohar (Shemini 41b) states: Come and see. Everyone who eats of those forbidden
foods, cleaves to the forces of evil and thereby contaminates himself and his soul, resulting, an
unclean spirit to rest upon him, displaying, thereby he has no part in the Most High G-d ... and if
he departs from this world in that condition, all those that adhere to the forces of uncleanness
cling to him, contaminate, and judge him as a person who despised his Master, despised in this
world and despised in the World to Come ... Woe is to them! Woe is to their souls for they will
not cling to the bundle of eternal life, for they have become contaminated ... All of a person's toil
is for his mouth. All judgment, all one suffers and all vengeance wrought upon him, is all on
account of his mouth, because he did not watch it and thereby, contaminated himself.
WHO WILL NOT TREMBLE AFTER READING
THESE WORDS FROM THE ZOHAR?
A person should quake when he reads the words of the Zohar concerning the immeasurable
damage a person wreaks upon his soul by eating forbidden foods. For in doing so, he grasps and
clings to the evil forces resulting in unclean spirits to cleave unto him, thereby demonstrating he
has no part in the G-d of Israel, G-d forbid! Therefore, one must be particularly suspect from
eating foods of dubious kashrus, surely not definitely non-kosher foods.
HE WHO EATS FORBIDDEN FOODS IS LIKE ONE WHO PRACTICES IDOLATRY
In this matter, the Zohar continues (42a): Rabbi Yitzchak said: Whoever becomes contaminated
through these foods is like one practicing idolatry, which is an abomination to the L-rd, as the
Torah writes: You shall not eat any abomination. Whosoever practices idolatry departs from the
side of life, departs from the Holy domain, and enters the evil one; as does also one who
contaminates himself with these foods depart from the side of life, depart from the Holy domain,
and enter an evil one, and not only that, but he becomes contaminated both in this world and in
the World to Come.
In Reishis Chochmah, Shaar Hakedushah (ch: 15) we learn:
Upon the unclean foods against which the Torah warns us, an outside unclean spirit rests.
Therefore, whoever eats them contaminates his soul and demonstrates thereby that he cares not
to have part of sanctity of G-d of Israel, for the unclean thing becomes part and parcel of the
person himself, together with the soul being clothed within. Consequently, he contaminates his
body and contaminates the soul that is clothed within it. That is the intention of the Zohar with
the words,'his soul and himself.' Therefore, one should be strict in matters of food, making sure
there is no possible chance of any forbidden foods.
THROUGH NON KOSHER FOODS WE BECOME

LIABLE TO TRAGEDIES, G-D FORBID
Be advised ... that through forbidden foods the image of G-d departs from the person, and he
becomes vulnerable to many incidents, as the Zohar (Vayeshev 19a) states: When a person does
not follow the ways of the Torah, his holy image becomes changed, and so wild animals and
fowl of the heaven can rule over him since his holy image is changed ... Come and see, Ezekiel
watched his mouth from forbidden foods, as it is written (Ezekiel 4): Nor has loathsome flesh
entered my mouth. For this reason he was called, 'son of man.' What is written concerning
Daniel? (Dan 1) And Daniel put his heart to avoid becoming contaminated with the king's food
and with drinking his wine." He merited and remained existing in the image of man...
Similarly, we find in the holy Zohar (Mishpatim 125b): Whoever eats meat with milk, will fear
the evil serpents, for the image of the person is far removed and can injure him ... We learned
that Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were saved from those tests only because they did
not contaminate themselves with food ... and Daniel, when they cast him into the lions' den, was
perfected with the image of his Master ... and because of this the lions feared and did not hurt
him ... What caused this? Because they did not contaminate themselves with food. It is explained
there, that one who eats forbidden foods - his face becomes like that of a beast and the human
image departs from him.
A G-D FEARING SHOCHET IS THE ONE WHO CARES FOR HIS SOUL AND FOR
THE SOULS OF FELLOW JEWS AND NOT FOR HIS MATERIAL WELFARE
Rabbenu Yonah writes in Shaarei Teshuvah, quoted by Beth Joseph (Tur Yoreh Deah, end of ch.
18): And it will be pleasant for those who admonish, who warn the people that they should be
conscientious in their observance of the laws of shechitah in every detail, and that they should
choose a G-d fearing shochet, for many Jews depend on him for their observance of the precepts
of shechitah and bedikah, etc, and many of the experts are from possessing fear of sin, and
whoever does not fear, will not be particular in the examination of the slaughtering knife etc, in
addition to the fact that a person devoid of fear will not be careful with examining the trachea
and the gullet after the shechitah, in addition to other necessities and details (Rabbenu Yonah).
THE REINCARNATIONS DUE TO ONE WHO FEEDS TEREFOT TO OTHER JEWS

In Sefer Hagilgulim by the Holy ARI, of blessed memory, (Frankfurt ed. p. 39a) it is stated that
whoever gives treifos to Jews to eat is reincarnated in the leaves of trees, and when the wind
blows and knocks the leaves, he experiences excruciating pain, and the end of his punishment is
when the leaf falls to the ground, which is as painful as death. This can be repeated one hundred
times or more, according to how long he fed trefos to Jews (See Nefesh Yeshayah p. 213, Zivchu
Zivchei Zedek).
EATING NON KOSHER FOODS IS MORE SERIOUS THAN VIOLATING THE

SHABBAT: A STORY FROM THE CHAFETZ CHAIM
The saintly Chafetz Chaim writes in his book, Machaneh Israel, that a Jewish soldier once asked
him what he should choose. He was given the choice to be in a division under a fine commander,
who allows the soldiers to slaughter and eat kosher meat, but there he would have to work on the
Sabbath, or to be in another division where he would not be able to eat kosher food, but he would
not be coerced to work on the Sabbath. He asked what he should do. The Chafetz Chaim told
him to go to the division where he would be forced to work on the Shabbat and added the
following reason: Even though Shabbat is a capital offense, when he comes home, he would be
able to observe many Shabbatot. If he eats neveilos and trefos, however, "the damage to his soul
will remain permanently,"
STORIES OF THE SIN OF VIOLATION OF

KASHRUT AND ITS PUNISHMENT
An awesome and wonderful story told by the Chasid, Reb Israel of Kalisch.
The Grand Rabbi Chaim of Kossov was the treasurer of the charities of the Holy Land. He had
many collectors, who would make the rounds of the cities and villages to collect money. Among
the collectors was a chosid named Reb Shraga of Seniatin, who would travel from place to place
to empty out the canisters of Rabbi Meir Baal Haness. Once, Reb Shraga went on his travels; he
came to the city of Serit, where he lodged. He arose early, prayed at dawn as was his wont, and
then commenced to go from house to house to perform his assigned task faithfully. After he
completed his work at noontime, he decided to leave the city and to arrive at the neighboring
village toward evening. There he would make his collections and stay for the night. In the
morning he would resume his travels. So he did. But, just as soon as he left the city, the
coachman went off the road and began to stray. Night approached. It became darker and darker,
and they had no idea where they were. They were traveling for six hours without a stop, and still
the coachman had no idea where to go. They were very frightened.
A LARGE HOUSE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FOREST
As they were traveling, they raised their eyes and saw a candle in a window some distance away.
They went toward the light of the candle until they came to a large house, the likes of which they
had never seen. The coachman looked around and remarked, "There is really a house in this spot,
yet I know nothing about it. I have been traveling around here all my life, and I am familiar with
all the roads and paths, all the houses and the inns in this section, but I have never before seen
this house." They alighted from the wagon and entered the house. They met the servants of the
house who were dressed in German garments, contrary to the custom of the locale. As soon as
they set foot in the house, one of the servants asked them, "Do you want to stay here?" They both
replied, "Yes," because it was very windy and rainy outside, and it was impossible to continue on
their journey.
TWO NOBLEWOMEN AND A JEW DRINKING WINE
AND HOW THE WOMEN MISTREAT HIM
When the servant heard their reply, he showed them a room on the side and told them to go in.
They went into the room where they saw a hot stove, and a table with a lit candle on it. Amidst
trepidation, they sat down at the table to rest from the fatigue of their trip, While they were
sitting there, the door suddenly opened, and two noblewomen, accompanied by a Jew wearing a
spodik, entered the room and sat down at the table. They called, "Servant, bring us three glasses
of wine." The servant went out and brought the wine. The two noblewomen drank, and the Jew
sat beside them but did not join them. They asked him, "Why aren't you drinking?" He replied,
"We may not drink gentile wine." They retorted, "Why did you drink it then?" The Jew remained
silent. When the noblewomen saw that he had no answer, they slapped him in the face on both
cheeks. Then they rose, and all three of them left the room.
THE CHASSID AND HIS COACHMAN TREMBLE WITH FEAR
When they left, Reb Shraga and the coachman quaked with fear. They did not know what to do,
whether to leave the room or to remain. After pondering the matter for a few moments, Reb
Shraga said to the coachman, "Let's not move from here, but let's sit together and hold each
other's hands until the fury passes over." A half hour later, the noblewomen returned with the
Jew, sat down by the table, and ordered the servant to bring wine as they had done before. The
servant placed three glasses of wine before them on the table. They poured the wine down their
throats, but the Jew did not touch his. When they asked him why he had drunk then, he did not
reply. Again, they slapped him in the face and went out with him. Reb Shraga sat in his place and
held the coachman's hands. He saw everything, but he was too frightened to talk.
THE JEW BEING PUNISHED BEGS FOR MERCY
He wanted to recite, "Shma Yisrael," but no sound would come out of his mouth. When the trio
entered the room for the third time and stated that he hit the Jew because he did not want to drink
with them, the Jew turned to Reb Shraga and said, "Reb Shraga! Why don't you say anything?
Don't you know who I am? I am...They do this to me every day I beg you to mention me to the
Grand Rabbi, Reb Chaim of Kossov." When they left for the third time, the rooster's crow was
heard, and everything disappeared; there was no house, no stove, and no candle. They were
standing in the field. At dawn, they praised and thanked the L-rd, Who had stood at their right
hand and saved them from the demons.
THIS JEW PREFERRED MONEY THAN OBSERVING G-DS COMMANDMENTS
On that same day, Reb Shraga returned from his travels and went to Kossov. Upon entering the
city, he went immediately to the tzaddik, Reb Chaim, and related to him the entire incident that
befell him on the road that night, mentioning the name of the deceased, an honest and pious Jew.
The rabbi listened to his tale and then replied, "True, that Jew was a pious man, but once in his
youth he stumbled on the sin of drinking gentile wine. This is the story. This Jew was an
innocent person, keeping G-d's commandments stringently in all details. He earned a livelihood
from brokerage. He would frequent the houses of the nobles and bring merchants to buy their
grain and forests. For this trouble, he was paid handsomely. Once they owed him a sizable sum
for brokerage, and he came to their house to collect his money, because he needed it urgently to
marry off his daughter. The nobles steadfastly refused to pay him until he would drink a glass of
wine with them. The Jew, thinking that they meant to tease him, as they were accustomed to
doing, refused to comply with their wishes. When he saw, however, that they were serious, and
that they would indeed not pay him unless he drank with them, his temptation told him that
drinking gentile wine was but a minor infraction of the law. He obeyed his temptation and drank
a glass of wine with them.
EVEN THOUGH HIS INTENTIONS WERE NOT EVIL
HE WAS SEVERELY PUNISHED
Even then, he did not do so with evil intentions, but for the sake of making his daughter's
wedding. Nevertheless, the Heavenly Tribunal passed this sentence upon him, as you saw at
midnight when you were on the road. But, to make you feel better, let me tell you that this was
the last day of his tribulations, and he has already rectified his sin. From that night on, his soul is
bound in the bundle of life."
After finishing his narrative, the tzaddik signed and said, "From all this we learn a lesson, how
much a person must watch himself not to stumble on anything the holy Torah prescribed, even if
we have good intentions for the sake of Heaven, and may G-d save us from all harm. Amen, so
may it be His will. (Sefer Even Shethiah p. 53)
A FRIGHTENING INCIDENT IN SLOVAKIA: A BUTCHER WHO FED

TEREFOT TO THE PUBLIC AND WHO WAS EATEN BY MICE
About forty years ago, in a village near Vishnitz, Slovakia, the local butcher sold meat to the
prominent residents of the village. The butcher became critically ill, and before his death,
summoned the dayan (judge) of the community and confessed to him that for many years he had
been selling non-kosher meat in lieu of kosher meat. Then he died.
When the Chevra Kaddisha (burial society) started to dig away his grave they saw it was full of
mice, then they tried again and again but were unsuccessful, no matter how much they tried, they
too became full of mice. They threw straw and wood into the grave and made a big fire. Upon
hearing sounds of weeping and wailing, the members of the Chevra Kaddisha fled. Immediately,
the grave again filled up with mice.
They turned to the rabbi for advice. He instructed them to lay the body in the grave. They
followed his instructions and buried the body in the grave filled with mice. They could not resist
weeping over the disgrace to the dead.
As soon as they placed the body in the grave, it was attacked by the mice, who devoured it
voraciously until nothing remained. This incident was publicized throughout the region, causing
many to repent (See nefesh Yeshayah pp. 47-48).
THE GREAT BENEFACTOR IN NEW YORK

CITY IS A HIDDEN SWINDLER
On the lower East Side, the most prestigious Jewish community in America at that time, where
thousands of strictly observant Jews resided, was the scene of one of the most terrible swindles
in the history of kashrut in America. A large butcher store dealing in wholesale and retail meats,
salamis and pastramis, was established in this lower East Side and was owned and operated by
one of the most religious and observant Jews of the community.
A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS WITH WHICH MANY

ACTS OF KINDNESS WERE PERFORMED
This Jew was a pillar of the Jewish community, a strictly Orthodox Jew with a long beard and a
reputation as a "Machnis Orchim" (Always inviting guests to his house) and supporter of
numerous charities. He was famous as a philanthropist, giving away large sums of money for
the poor, lavishly spending in the support of Torah scholars and the poor of the Jewish kehillah.
Due to this, the firm had an excellent reputation, and the certification of one of the most
respectable Rabbonim living in New York City at the time, added to its reliability. Observant
Jews did not want to eat from any other meat sellers, only from this religious butcher. Other
butchers and meat-sellers did a fraction of the business that went on here. Many Jews bought
here because of the righteousness of the owner, while others bought there because they
received the meat at half -price (as part of his charity). Many Jews received meat from the
owner entirely free such as the rabbis, rosh yeshivas, melamdim etc.
ONE NIGHT THE POLICE DISCOVERS HIS EVIL ACTS
Suddenly, one night the police made a startling discovery. Two large trailers were discovered
unloading horse and camel meat into the butcher store of this religious Jew. New York in the
1930's was extremely strict about their meat and the punishment very harsh. An investigation
was launched and revealed that this practice of taking in horse and camel meat had been going
on for quite a few years. The entire Jewish community of New York was in an uproar. Talk of
this dastardly act did not cease in the synagogues, mikvahs, stores - whenever two Jews met!
Even young children in yeshiva spoke with emotions of this cruel and inhuman swindle.
NOT ONLY THE OWNER WAS GUILTY BUT ALL THOSE

INVOLVED IN THE KASHRUT BUSINESS WERE
The children detested the thought that they had been fed non-kosher meat without their
knowledge when their Rebbes had taught them that it is forbidden to use them. Words cannot
describe the intense feelings of betrayal and treason felt by the Jewish community. In
frustration, one Jew had exclaimed in the synagogue: "We should catch that scoundrel and kill
him." "This, of course, is not the Jewish way," said a second Jew. "it is better to bring him into
the synagogue, let each Jew take a turn and hit him with all his strength, and then spit in his
face." Another declared that not only is the owner at fault, but the workers, mashgichim, and the
Rabbis who give the certification of Kashrut are equally guilty for allowing such a condition to
develop. The owner (who had gone into hiding) was apprehended by the police, brought up on
charges and sentenced to a prison term. He passed away in his cell, not long after. This story
was reprinted in all local newspapers, and further commentary is unnecessary.
A CRY FROM THE SATMER REBBE ZTL
The person may ask: "What can I do if all I bring into my home are foods with a Kosher
certification? Here, in the words of the Satmar Rebbe z.t.l. is the answer to this
question:
"It is heartbreaking to see how here, in America, everything is a business. The
main thing among businessmen is to turn out the highest profit possible and
disregard kashrut in the process. This is evident from the hashgachot as well,
since many rabbonim give their hechsheirim to products where the pitfalls are
numerous. This catastrophe came about since the entire process of kashrut and
hechsheirim have also become a business. Therefore, the reliability of the Rav
Hamachshir is automatically in question.
THE ONLY CONCERN IS PROFIT AND NOT THE

FULFILLMENT OF G-DS LAWS
In short, the Rebbe obm revealed that the manufacturers of the various food
products have little or no regard whatsoever for kashrut. Their only concern is to
produce efficiently and economically, earning the largest profits possible. Since
the kashrut of the product has also become a business, the dependability of the
Rav Hamachshir is meaningless. These few words of the Satmar Rebbe obm
should be a lamp lighting the ways for kashrut observance in present times.
Finally, we can learn from the above story how we must guard ourselves and our
children from not only a known non-kosher food, but even from a food that may
possibly be kosher but due to strictness we will not use it. In the merit of the
careful observance of the mitzvah of kashrut may Hashem help all our children to
be enlightened in Torah and yiras shomayim, and may we all merit to see the
Mashiach speedily in our days. Amen!
WHY MASHIACH HASNT COME

THE HOLY TZADDIK RABBI MENDEL MI KOTZK MAY HIS MERIT SHIELD US, USED TO
SAY: I LOVE RABBI SHLOMO LEIB WITH A LOVE THAT COMES FROM THE SOUL, BUT
ONE SMALL COMPLAINT I HAVE: WHY HE SCREAMS TO THE KADDOSH BARUCH HU
ALL DAY, THAT HE SEND THE MASHIACH, IT IS MUCH BETTER THAT HE SCREAM TO
THE JEWS TO DO TESHUVA AND MASHIACH WILL THEN COME. ISNT IT WRITTEN IN
THE TORAH THAT G-D TOLD MOSHE: WHY DO YOU CRY TO ME? SPEAK TO THE
PEOPLE OF ISRAEL THAT THEY GO FORWARD

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THE GATE OF KASHRUT 1

THE GATE OF KASHRUT

"The most upright butcher is a partner of Amalek."

THE VISITOR FROM FOREIGN LANDS: A STORY

WHY HASNT MASHIACH ARRIVED

THE SECRET OF THE BAAL SHEM

RECEIVING GUESTS AND FEEDING THEM WITH NON

THE BAAL SHEM TOV WAS A SHOCHET AND TRIED TO

THE BAAL SHEM TOVS POWER TO

G-DS WAR AGAINST AMALEK

THE BAAL SHEM TOV SAW THE DECREE OF

BH 3RD DAY OF PARASHAT REE, 5509 OSHPITZIN

THE RAMBAM ATTRIBUTES HERESY AND

THE MOST UPRIGHT BUTCHER IS A PARTNER OF AMALEK

WHO IS THE NATION OF AMALEK

IS WHAT YOU KNOW ABOUT THE KASHRUT OF THE MEAT

See what the holy Shaloh (Shne Luchot Ha Brit) writes, he

WHO CAN CONTRADICT THE

IF YOU ONLY EAT POULTRY YOU

ALL OF THE ABOVE APPLIES MUCH MORE NOWADAYS WHEN WE

THE PROBLEM WITH THE PURGING (NIKKUR) OF

WE HAVE TO AVOID EVEN A DOUBTFUL CASE OF CHELEV

THE HOLY ZOHAR SAYS THAT WHOSOEVER CONTAMINATES HIMSELF WITH

FOR THE SMALLEST INFRACTION A MENNAKER

Truth Will Spring Forth From the Earth

GOOD NEWS: THE VISHNITZER REBBE FORBIDS

THE JOY OF A MITZVAH TRULY

Shlomo Greenberg from Niedderhaz

A LETTER FROM THE KASHAUER RAV TO ALL

RABBI RAFAEL BLUM

Bedford Hills, New York

RABBI RAFAEL BLUM

RECENTLY THE ROV AGAIN MAINTAINED HIS DECISION

A TALMID CHACHAM WHO HAS NO KNOWLEDGE (DAAT), A

THE CHAFETZ CHAIM DECLARES THAT WHEN A RUMOR IS VERY

WILL YOU NOT WAKE UP?

PROBLEMS WITH THE WHITE MEAT OF

CONGREGATION MACHZIKEI HADAS DCHASIDEI BELZ

THE WARNING OF THE AUTHOR OF THE SHNE LUCHOT HABRIT

FOR THE SAKE OF THE HONOR OF THE TORAH

A SERIOUS AND SOLEMN WARNING

RABBINICAL OPINION PERTAINING

THE PRESS HAS BEEN SILENT ABOUT THOSE WHO

I ACCUSE THE RABBIS WHO GRANT HECHSHERIM

I ACCUSE THE RABBIS WHO ARE NOT INVOLVED

HORSE MILK IS SERVED ALL OVER

KASHRUT IS A FORTRESS THAT

EVEN WITH JEWISH EDUCATION, JEWS WHO EAT

EVEN IMMERSION IN THE

HAVE YOU NOT FEAR OF THE DAY OF JUDGMENT?

THE EATING OF FORBIDDEN FATS BRINGS A

WARNING OF THE CHAFETZ CHAYIM ZTL

THE YETZER HA RA SITS IN A

THE EVIL HAMAN GOT PERMISSION FOR HIS EVIL DECREE

THE SECRET OF BLESSED MORDECHAI

YZB=502=POE YFYA =502= JLDYO KFYB

(From Kav Ha Yashar) YZB=502=451=MASOZJ+51=NFDA

THE PERSON SUFFERS WHEN HE EATS NON KOSHER

THROUGH NON KOSHER FOODS WE BECOME