It was two days before Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar, a time to reflect and to repent. On line at a kosher takeout store, I spotted a young rabbi I knew, and we jokingly shared some thoughts. What was he atoning for? “I really do want to observe kosher all the way and I am hoping that I have not been duped at some point this year,” he said. “Why did you eat at that kosher Chinese restaurant that was caught with treife meat,” I asked. “No, I never ate there, and I only eat in restaurants where I am comfortable with the hashgacha and the rabbi.” I retorted: “So you have nothing to worry about.”
His next answer was surprising: “Yes, but I am concerned for the many people who are not educated and unfortunately are fooled by something that may be labeled as kosher but is not.” We parted ways but he left me with a very profound thought that also had me admiring our kashrus agencies who are doing such a yeoman’s job. It gave me lots to think about on Yom Kippur.
