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IDF set to slash kashrut inspectors
Yossi Yehoshua
Published: 14.06.13, 16:08
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25 Talkbacks for this article
1. Are you kidding?
Ellen ,   Israel/NYC   (06.14.13)
The nation want to enlist the majority of Hareidim into the IDF. As a modern Orthodox woman I support this move. In fact, I have had numerous arguments with friends who lean Haredi on this subject. Now, they say Kashrut is deteriorating, I feel like I have been slapped in the face. Instead of advocating for the integration of Haredi will I soon be advocating that Dati Leumi NOT serve either! This is not a move to integrate and unite the country.
2. Lack of inspection doesn't mean lack of Kashrut!!
Jehudah Ben-Israel ,   Qatzrin, Israel   (06.14.13)
It simply means fewer non-productive people will continue to waste public funds. There were much fewer inspectors during Israel's War of Independence, the Six-Day War and the Yom Kippur War, and yet, Israel managed well. There is no reason why it shouldn't manage well in the future without such uncalled for number of inspectors.
3. kashrut in the IDF
yosef, phd ,   usa israel   (06.14.13)
Historically, there was a glut of Kashrut supervisors, and not only in the military. Their number can and should be reduced by an impartial board (if it is possible at all) and the salaries of the remaining reduced, like in the recent gesture of the MKs' This would result in sincere and positive results in present times of budget belt tightening.
4. you can't have it both ways
iselin ,   Oslo, Norway   (06.14.13)
I don't believe in taking orders from a 3000 year old lifestyle guide and I do not eat kosher food. However, the IDF can't have it both ways. Either you make sure the army is kosher enough for the super religious to dine without fear of consuming something they're not supposed to, or you just tell them they don't have to join. Get your values and budget straight.
5. #2
safed yid   (06.14.13)
they also had alot less soldiers in the army during those wars, and israel managed just fine. That being the case, why do they need such a huge army? So according to your logic, whatever worked in 67 and 73 should be just dandy now as well
6. Why not have haredi recruits serve as inspectors?
Tova M. ,   Rehovot, Israel   (06.14.13)
Let's put all that yeshiva learning to good use in the army!
7. Make units out of religious soldiers for Kashrut
Phil ,   Q   (06.14.13)
Draftees get much lower pay, and would not be the financial burden on the armed forces. Take from the ones who have a strong religious background and do not qualify for higher line units after boot camp, and then train them to be proper kashrut inspectors.
8. Frontline reality
JJ ,   London   (06.14.13)
"less-than-rigid kashrut standards" is something of an understatement for the motsavim where I served whilst on kav. These were often staffed by only one actual cook, with most kitchen tasks undertaken by over-tired soldiers who were often spending most of the day and night switching between hours on guard duty, hours repairing and maintaining equipment and hours on kitchen duty (whilst simultaneously still always being ready to respond to major incidents). When they haven't slept properly for two weeks, or even showered for a week, do you realistically expect many soldiers to care whether they're using the right cutlery and knives to chop things, and whether they're washing everything in precisely the right place? The fact is that this is the army and guess what? Sometimes you're going to have to do jeep patrols on shabbat, sometimes you're going to not be able to pray or lay tefillin for days on end and sometimes you're going to have to accept that kashrut standards are imperfect.
9. Kashrut it's stam for money
(06.14.13)
I used to work in a kosher cofee shop with a mashgiah and a certificate, still we were opened on Saturdays and weren't that cosher! The mashgiah once told me there was hametz in the kitchen during pessah. He closed the door and said its fine if the kitchen door is kept closed.
10. Ah, so we're back to the bad old days?
Roman ,   Lod, Israel   (06.14.13)
I refer, of course, to the times when there were plenty bases where Kashrut was barely maintained, if at all, beyond mere lip service. There have always been bases where religious soldiers simply can *not* eat anything prepared within the base, eating only ready delivered food like bread and canned tuna. This was no rare occurrence, and an open secret among those who served and are currently serving - particularly for small remote posts and Navy ships. The introduction of catering companies on the one hand and a more serious approach to Kashrut inspection on the other reduced those numbers greatly, and allowed every soldier who wishes to observe Kashrut to at least get a more than reasonable chance of keeping it. I expect someone will carp about Haredim right about now. If so, that someone will be a fool - this is a *basic* right and a core military law, and it has been poorly observed for decades. It is a failure secular Israelis are ignorant about, by and large, and seemingly care little over, since it supposedly does not relate to them. Well, it does. Religious Jewish soldiers, or merely traditionally observant ones, have always served by your side. Yes, we have religious requirements you do not have - that does not make us inferior to you one whit.
11. It is possible to cook kosher and save money
Yael Schlichting ,   currently Munich   (06.14.13)
This is what professional cooks (chefs) should be paid for. It's not only, that they cook the same all over again, but it is possible to prepare tasty AND healthy AND kosher dishes with little resources!
12. Yes indeed - make as many of the haredi draftees
MAP ,   Bnei Brak   (06.14.13)
into kashrut inspectors. They wont need training anyway. Train others to cook and post a haredi cook in each tiny bunker. Two birds with one stone with the added benefit of mitzvot!
13. i work on a kosher kitchen
david ,   jerusalem   (06.14.13)
we serve both dairy and meat, and we the workers...just don't give a f*** about your stupid religious rules, we just do what's easier for us. If i need a knife i'll just use the first one i find, If the meat oven is being used but i'm hungry, trust me i will use the dairy oven, whenever I make myself a cappuccino, do you really think i give a damn what color is painted on the bottom of the glass? The one closest to me it's the one i'll use. I could give you hundreds of examples, bottom line is we the over exploited workers just don't care about you, and moreover we the intelligent (read atheists) workers are happy to mess and tamper with your idiotic and primitive rules. We are the real Tyler Durdens.
14. Give them real work
Ethan Schwartz ,   Eilat   (06.14.13)
Let them participate in the preparation and distribution of food. Our economy does not need to pay people to stand around with their hands in their pockets. I am aware that there are a lot of inspectors who DO work in food preparation. It's time for them all to do so.
15. "hunger strike"? oh the humanity of it...
Bluegrass Picker ,   Afula   (06.15.13)
God knows that the hareidim are true role models of healthy eating and healthy waist sizes. No excess bellyfat in that crowd!! Gosh, they are already practically anorexic. Even the women are drop-dead-gorgeous, men all over the world travel to Israel to get their own Hareidi Hot Chanie.
16. Priorities
JJ ,   London   (06.15.13)
If trying to follow pernickety rules that have been extrapolated over many generations out of origins in a 3,000 year old book is more important to you than serving in defence of the lives of your fellow citizens then something is clearly deeply flawed with your priorities in this world.
17. Maintaining a clean foods Levitical law diet for IDF is
Rivkah   (06.15.13)
critical since Isaiah chapters 65 and 66 says HaShem will not protect swine eaters or those who eat unclean foods. The Levitical food laws are to maintain health and holiness. There need to be a lot of inspectors.
18. To # 13 happy to read that!
Paul ,   Jerusalem   (06.15.13)
19. #13, I drive a Porsche and a Ferrari
Joel ,   France   (06.15.13)
I don't eat in restaurants because of vermin like you. I don't pay your boss' mortgage or cars. Stick your dirty, non- hygienic food up your @rse.
20. #19 I will, and then I will serve it
david ,   jerusalem   (06.15.13)
to the idiots walking around with a sign on their heads saying "i'm 3 years old and I still believe in Santa Claus", a.k.a idiots wearing kippas
21. #13 #20 And you, David, are little more than a bigot.
Roman ,   Lod, Israel   (06.15.13)
A small-minded fool who seeks to elevate his self-esteem by reducing others below himself.
22. Roman , do you believe what this "david" wrote ?
Charles ,   Petach Tikva   (06.16.13)
I certainly NOT his # 13
23. Religious soldiers MUST be allowed
Charles ,   Petach Tikva   (06.16.13)
to have 100 % kosher food , this is something i will never oppose . But why not give some special courses to religious soldiers ? Being religious is certainly not enough to manage a kosher kitchen . After those "soldiers inspector" are checked , i think they can be as trustworthy as those who are slashed .
24. hey charlie brown, every word is true
david ,   jerusalem   (06.16.13)
i really do not care about primitive rules like kashrut. And as i said it's not just me, we work on a frentic kitchen, and we just do what's easier for us, there's absolutely no reason to complicate our lives. Whenever the mashgiach comes I have to pretend I care, cause I don't want to get fired, but he's maybe 5% of the time
25. Hey "david" You commit crimes when there is no police too ?
Charles ,   Petach Tikva   (06.17.13)
Or you are a disgusting dishonest "biped" , or a liar . It's your choice .
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