Little Lobsters in the Water

I was asked if we have to worry, from a kosher standpoint, about these copepods (microscopic crustaceans) that are supposed to be in the drinking water.
I will let Rabbi Adler the head of the Hartford Kosher Vaad (Council) answer it.
He says it exactly as I would.
This is from a recent (Nov 27th) article in the Hartford Newspaper.
The article also gives a nice recap of the issue.
I will quote pieces of that article:

Can tap water be non-kosher?

Of all the topics Robert Moore has run across in his decades in the public water supply business, that one was probably the most unusual.

It surfaced in April as Moore and others on the Metropolitan District Commission were dealing with an unusual outbreak of copepods, a tiny crustacean common in water but usually trapped by MDC filtering systems. The creatures posed no health risk.

"In my 42 years in the business, I'd never considered that question," Moore, MDC chief administrative officer, said Monday, looking back at the copepod flare-up, which last happened here in the 1970s. "Then I read about it in New York City records when we were doing research on copepods. Copepods are shellfish. That's what makes them non-kosher."

During a copepod outbreak in New York City in 2004, some ultra-Orthodox Jews in the city considered the city drinking water no longer kosher, because copepods are crustaceans, prohibited from consumption under Judaic dietary law. They filtered tap water at home before using it and complained to New York City water system authorities.

But no one raised the kosher issue with MDC officials this spring, Moore said.

When news of the copepods in MDC water broke, the topic of water purity and Talmudic law was a subject of rabbinical discussion, Rabbi Yitzchok Adler of Beth David Synagogue in West Hartford said this week.

"When it made the news, everybody was talking about the drinking water, not just the Jewish population," Adler said.

The determination was that the copepods did not present a problem to the Jewish community, he said, because of their almost microscopic size and the "sincere best efforts" of the water district to improve filtration and correct the problem.

There will always be spiritual leadership who choose to err on the side of caution and take a stricter stand to "avoid a circumstance of doubt and compromise," Adler said.

"We are simply required to do what is reasonable in accordance with guidelines. We need not live a life encumbered by expectations that are unreasonable."

A Good Shabbos Question from CL

Hi Rabbi Schwarcz,

I know that Sacred Chow is open on Shabbat....how does that work out as far as hashgacha?

Thanks.
CL

CL,
Thanks for the question.
Kosher and Shabbos are 2 separate things.
Whereas of course, we want every Jew to keep Shabbos. A Jew being open on Shabbos does not make the food unkosher. There are issues regarding how and when things are made on Shabbos that effect whether a Jew is allowed to eat it or not but it is NOT a Kosher issue and we, in giving our Hashgacha, make sure that these are all addressed.
Sacred Chow has a KS - Kosher for Shabbos program where you can arrange for prepaid meals on Shabbos that are prepared according to Shabbos Law.
If you have more questions please feel free to write or even call me.
Rabbi Zev

San Miguel - WOW

Yes!
A very interesting story only G-d could think up.
When I was invited they asked me if I could come for the last days since the religious leader, although grew up in a conservative home, never celebrated a Hoshana Rabba or Shmini Atzeres and would love to learn how to do it.
They have a small Shul in San Miguel de Allende. Actually they rent a meeting room at a hotel. About 35 or so people came each service and the services were very inpirational. The people were so eager to learn and participate.
There were 3 Succos there and even one family who has a strictly kosher home and Shomer Shabbos.
It was a real wonderful experience. I think for them too. Plus this town is a very beautiful place, it has a certain energy and the buildings are colorful, all Old Spanish colonial architecture.
And then after Yom Tov the next day a couple people drove me to another town called Guanajuato, which was just stunning, to meet a group of 8 Jews who wanted to talk and had questions (some about kosher). We met at this cafe where the café owner was Jewish who asked me how he can make his cafe kosher!
It was a fabulous experience.

WOW its been a long time since I wrote.
Well I thought I was going to be able to write a " travelling rabbi" blog as I was supposed to go away for Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur and again the last days of Succos. Well the RH YK thing didn't work out and I'm just away now for the last days. But I thought that this trip is worthwhile writing about.
I was invited to be the guest Rabbi for the small community of San Miguel de Allende in Mexico. And wonders of technology I am writing this using my cell phone with the wifi on the bus going from Mexico City to San Mig.
I spent the night in Mexico City which is a wonderful city with a VERY strong and vibrant Jewish community. I always enjoyed myself here. I'll let you all know how good the bakery I went to is as soon as I taste the stuff.
San Miguel is an old colonial town which is supposed to be real beautiul which is why many artists and americans live there.
I'll write about it when I see it.
Meanwhile the scenery from the bus window is pleasent enough.

look at this!! - Oy I'm kvelling (that means bursting with pride)

This is from chowhound about Kosher restaurants.

Thanks Queenscook!! Glad to be of help.

"queenscook Jun 18, 2009 02:34PM

re: queenscook

It is the one on (Blank St.)

It's under the supervision of R Zev Schwarcz.

I've spoken to him a few times about the various restaurants under his supervision, and I've found him always willing to answer my questions frankly, and in a way that shows he's thought of the issue and found an answer that satisfies him. I've also found him willing to talk about the leniencies he sometimes relies on, and their pros and cons, and why he feels they should be applied in a particular situation. Let's just say that I've tried having similar conversations with some other rabbis who give hechsherim, and sometimes found quite a different attitude to being questioned."

A continuation of Tuesday August 18th post -A Parsha by Parsha, step by step, guide to the Devarim cycle of responsibility

As we mentioned the the book of Deuteronomy is one unit, dealing with one unit of time, one mission for our lives.
The book encompasses a unique and crucial part of our cycle of life and mission in life that starts with the beginning of that book and ends with it's end.
Every Parsha is a step by step rebuilding guide for the Teshuva process which starts before Tisha B'av (not Elul or Rosh Hashana as we are led to believe) and ends with Simchas Torah.

Parshas Devorim is an overall rebuking of the Israelites ways in the desert meant to wake us up to introspect into our lives in general to make way for the change which Tisha B'av is supposed to invoke in us. Which is how we interact socially one to another. Which is the crucial foundation for the rest of our Teshuva process. Because no repentance works unless we first correct how we act to others. Tisha B'av is meant to set us straight on that road.
Next is Parshas V'eschanan - once we break down our bad character traits then it's time to rebuild our foundation so this Parsha reviews all the fundementals:
The Ten Commandments, The Shema, the real purpose and benefits of following the Torah.
Parshas Eikev deals almost solely with the Land of Israel. Because that is a truly important foundation of our faith and lives. More of the spiritual effect of the land rather than the physical. But we must spend the time next on dealing with how we allow that to impact us on our road to Teshuva, repentance. Because, besides the Torah discussed in last week's parsha, it is the yearning for Land of Israel which kept us together as a people through all the difficult times of history.
more to come.....

Oh if only the Torah was the law of the land

If the Torah was the law of the land we wouldn't need tort reform because there are no torts allowed.
the laws of murder and capital punishment are so cleverly crafted to allow just the right amount of deterrent with the right amount of compassion and humanity for both the criminal and, what we forget these days, the victim.
And there is so so much more.
The impeccable balance which the Torah law follows is so brilliant and it was devised more than 3000 years ago.
And still is the best working thing out there.

Now here is a very nice conversation

My name is Blank Blank, and I'm a yeshiva bachur learning in New York.
I was on the internet and gathered that you give kosher certification to Vegan restaurants.
If this is fact, I wanted to ask you (if you have time) the following questions.

I read your blog and saw that this conversation may be easier for you if done by phone, but I was hoping that this email could serve you well for your blog. (also email is easier for me...)


Questions:

1.
Some people are concerned that the bedikas tola'im done by the workers of these establishments is not halachically sufficient. Why is their method for ridding the produce of bugs considered halachically sufficient?

First of all, every restaurant has an incentive NOT to serve bugs. No patron wants to eat bugs. And a bug served could ruin their reputation. Plus a Vegan place has even more of an incentive.
Secondly, I do inspect the way they check and clean for bugs on their own as the way an establishment checks is not inherently acceptable. But in the places that I certify they were serious about not serving bugs and the method they used was acceptable. I only requested a second rinse after checking and they comply.

2.
Some people are concerned that there are bishul akum concerns in these restaurants. Why is there no concern for bishul akum?

There are 2 rules for Bishul Akum that for the most part exempt the foods served at vegan restaurants. The first, and this takes care of most things, is that whatever can be eaten raw is not a problem of Bishul Akum and obviously that takes care of most products. That primarily leaves beans and rice, and the second rule, that it has to be exquisite enough for a King's Table, takes care of that according to most opinions.

3.
If there is no concern for bedikas tola'im or bishul akum, then why do these restaurants require certification at all?

Mainly the fact that grape products ie. wine, vinegar, grape juice, etc whereas they are still vegan, need special Kosher certification. Also, and I found this myself upon occasion, sometimes the owners don't realize that a product they purchased may contain a non-kosher or dairy ingredient.

Thank you very much,

Pasha's Parshas is back - Deuteronomy for our lives

The cycle of the Torah Reading is significant. It is not an accident that certain portions are read at certain times of the year and that especially holds true for this time of Tshuva (repentance).
The book of Deuteronomy is one unit, dealing with one unit of time, one mission for our lives.
The book encompasses a unique and crucial part of our cycle of life that starts with the beginning of that book and ends with it's end.
Parshas Devarim is always read right before Tisha B'av and the last Parsha, Vzos Habracha is always read on Simchas Torah.
This tells us that from before Tisha B'av until after Simchas Torah we have one mission, one purpose in our lives.
And the Parshios of Devarim (Deuteronomy) are there to guide us week by week along this path.
Every Parsha is a step by step rebuilding guide for the Teshuva process which starts before Tisha B'av (not Elul or Rosh Hashana as we are led to believe) and ends with Simchas Torah.
This retooling is necessary every year to keep us on the proper path and allows us to grow and build from year to year.

The Joy of a Bad Thing Stopping

Yesterday (Aug 5) was a little known but very significant Jewish Holiday, "Tu B'av". "the fifteenth day of Av"
It is compared in the Talmud to the purity and innocence of Yom Kippur.
But what's interesting is that NOTHING actually happened on Tu B'av. Rather bad things STOPPED happening.
So when something bad stops that is a real cause for celebration to the point that it allows us to reflect on ourselves like we do on Yom Kippur.
Sometimes we don't see anything positive happening to us so we get discouraged but really we have to see all the bad things that didn't happen and be grateful and realize how we are indeed watched over and protected.

Pasha's Parshas - Stay True to Our Values

The Torah says, "And all of you who attached themselves closely to G-d (meaning firmly following the precepts of morality and integrity of G-d and the Torah) are alive TODAY".
Why does it say "today" it should have said "will be alive eternally'?
Isn't that the intended message?
If someone falls into a rushing river, just because he's moving you don't know he's alive if he's moving with the current, you only know he's alive if you see him struggling to fight against the current.
Just because a person's moving (functioning in society) is no proof he's "alive" in the present if all he does is go with the flow. But if he's following the Torah's rules of morality and integrity which are often a struggle against prevailing currents, then you know he's alive TODAY.
Let's be "alive" and true to our values.

Tisha B'av - Mourning for our loss 2000 years ago?

As Tisha B'av (the Fast of the Ninth of Av) is about to begin we need to realize that we are not commemorating an event or events that took place more than 2000 years ago.
If that were true it would have little or much less meaning today.
Look at the American Holidays that commemorate a past event that have lost much of their significance and they were no more than 200 years old!
For the Fast (or any Jewish Holiday) to have any significance we must realize that they are there to help us correct or improve ourselves based upon current and contemporary issues and wrongdoings.
The Talmud tells us "Any generation that the Temple is not rebuilt in their time it is as if it has been destroyed in their time". We aren't mourning the loss of 2000 years ago and the misdeeds which caused it back then but we are mourning OUR TIMES and the misdeeds that continue to not allow things to permanently change for the best. (the Temple to be rebuilt)
But we shouldn't despair and think that if this corruption is so widespread what can I as one person do?
The answer is alot.
As the prophet Isaiah in last week's Haftora said, that although he refers to the leaders as Lords of Sodom the people are still referred to a "night refuge" in a field and "separated remnant" that there still is some hope, even though it's a small remnant of goodness, they have the power to effect change.
We can effect a change with our efforts regardless of what we think everyone else will do.

Let's not believe all those who try to bring us down

This from an AP story in the furthering disgusting attempt by those who hate humanity to make the Israeli army look like evil, when in reality they are of the most sensitive and humane in the world and definitely in that area.
Israeli soldiers: 'No clear red lines' in Gaza war
As you read the story further and read other accounts from more trustworthy sources you see that these claims were anonymous and unsubstantiated.
But that doesn't stop the AP from the misleading, inflammatory and dangerous headline.

Better late than never Pasha's Parshas - Let's Stand up for what's right - The Right Way

A few weeks ago we talked about Korach who, while maybe correct in what he was trying to change, went about it the wrong way with disastrous results.
In this past week's Parsha we see 2 different people doing something to effect serious and permanent change. But since they were sincere, genuine and without bias or ulterior motive, they were successful and praised and rewarded.
It is very important to stand up for what's wrong but it is even more important to do it the right way.
The right way may even be a seemingly unconventional or even revolutionary act but under the right circumstances and with the proper sincerity from the heart it will affect a lasting change and even bring peace.

Another Kosher conversation - An email Discussion

I HAD THIS EXCHANGE TODAY:
unfortunately this kind of desire to be contentious rather than a desire to really know what the Law is, happens to be a big problem in the Jewish world today.

Dear Rabbi Schwarcz,
At the vegan restaurants under your supervision, such as Certain Restaurant ,are the veggies checked for bugs?
At the meat/pita restaurant, there is a non-jew behind the counter, who appears to have little respect for laws of kashruth, nor was there a mashgiach of any nature.. What is the supervision to insure the counterman does not bring in trayfa meat, either for use in the salads and sanwiches, or for his own use.
Attempting to become familiar with standards of kashruth, as to adhere to the laws of the Torah.
Respectfully,

Dear Person,
Thank you for your questions and please feel free to call me with further clarifications @
The veggies are very well checked for bugs as vegans don't believe in eating bugs either.
But what do you mean that "there is a non-jew behind the counter, who appears to have little respect for laws of kashruth" ?
Please clarify for me.
Thanks,
Rabbi Zev Schwarcz

Rabbi Schwarcz,
I don't see how the fact that vegans don't like to eat bugs which is a personal preference issue equates to a Issur Doraysa [Torah transgression]. Checking for bugs is an arduous time consuming task. Hard to accept that vegans checking equals that required by Halacha.

At (some place) there is a place that sells non glatt meat where there was only a nonjew in charge behind the counter.

Dear Person,
Where do you get your information?
Where does the Torah say that it is an "arduous Time consuming task"?
"hard to accept"? is that halacha too?
Once again you did not explain the "appears to have little respect for the jewish law"
I think you seem to be mixing opinion with fact which is definitely a dangerous thing.

Rabbi Schwarcz,
Checking for bugs is an arduous time consuming task. That's a practical reality. Made more so with the volume of veggies in a vegan store. Halacha requires super careful checking not to be nicshol [make a mistake]. If your contention is guys at a vegan rstrnt are as careful and dedicated in their search day after day as one who is afraid of transgressing the Issur Dorasa [Torah transgression] you may want to seriously verify this. There is the problem of Lifnei Iver. [causing people to sin}
The person behind the counter was from a south americn or caribbean ctry. Not caucasian not jewish not acquainted or probably concerned with halacha.


Dear Person,
Have you ever been in the kitchen of a vegan restaurant?
You're already jumping to me being over lifnei evair.
You haven't even spoken to me. I haven't answered directly any of your questions.
You assumed that the "Caribbean or South American" person behind the counter is not concerned with Halacha.
I propose that YOU are not concerned with Halacha but only with being contentious and assumptive.
I offered you my phone # to call me and that I'd gladly answer your concerns. But apparently you are only interested in making accusations.
It's a dangerous thing to be motivated by (mistaken) assumptions and emotions rather than actual Halacha.
And all this right before Shiva Assar B'tammuz.
Please feel free to call and I'll gladly answer your specific concerns.
Sincerely,
Rabbi Zev Schwarcz

continuing of the email exchange - the problem of assumptions
The conversation continues:
and as they say don't assume because if you assume
you ..... ass u me

I am not jumping on you. I just wanted clarification. I do stand behind both my assumptions.

As I said please call me when you have the chance and I will be glad to clarify your concerns one by one. It's easier by phone.
You can't "stand behind" an assumption as it is just that an assumption. Since it is not based on fact there is nothing there to "stand behind".

We really think we're in control; The Key to Independence - A thought for the week (Last week)

In our limited view of things we really think we're in control of what happens in this world.
Whether or not someone is successful in their desire to prevail over us or whether or not we're cured from an illness, etc. does not depend upon them. We can't give them that much power.
We think we have the independence to affect our lives but in reality what happens is completely dependent on G-d's will. There is one thing which we are independent to do and that we will see later.
In the past weeks portions we see 2 events that appeared to be in the control of humans but in actuality was not.
The 1st:
The Israeli people spoke badly against G-d and Moses and G-d sent poisonous snakes.
Those who were bitten were told in order to be cured they had to look up at a copper snake on a pole.
The Talmud asks, "but does a (real) snake really kill and did the (copper) snake actually cure them?" it appears so but in actuality, the Talmud continues, that it wasn't the real snake that caused them to be in danger, but their deeds that brought about the snake to bite them and it wasn't the copper snake that healed them but rather the looking up to G-d, the realizing that no matter how many Doctors and how much medicine one takes (which we should) it is G-d who helps and cures.
The 2nd:
Bil'am was hired by the Moabite King to curse the Israeli people but as powerful as Bil'am was he couldn't effect a curse on them at all and instead had to bless them. Because G-d wasn't going to let them be cursed because they were at that time morally perfect.
SO WHAT DOES G-D WANT FROM US??
WHAT ARE WE INDEPENDENT TO DO??
The Prophet says in the Haftora.
"Clearly G-d told you, Humankind, what is good and what he requires of you:
only do things justly, to love kindness and even in your hidden ways be together with the morality of G-d.
That is what is in our control and that is what is expected of us. That is what we are independent to do.

150 years!!?? - SHOW ME THE MONEY!

SO Bernie Madoff gets 150 years.
Big wow!
If he would have cheated me how would him being in jail help me?
According to Jewish Law the only way to make good on Robbery is to pay back the money and apologize.
Why is there no talk of that? If he can't pay he would have to work it off for the person he stole from. That's where he should be, paying and working off the debt.
So he apologized publicly, BIG deal.
He has to apologize to each and every one he stole from one on one.

Not Marsha's Parshas - Torah Thought for the week - Healthy Differences of Opinion

In this week's portion we find Korach who had demands against Moses.
He starts a rebellion and he and his followers get swallowed up in the earth.
So what was wrong?
Was it wrong to argue with Moses?
Was that why they were punished?
The answer is NO!
They were allowed to argue. The Talmud tells us that Korach was worthy of all the demands he requested. But his ego and arrogance caused him to go about it the wrong way, and caused him to twist the truth in his attempt to get what he wanted.
There is nothing wrong with having a difference of opinion, the Talmud is full of them. And at times demands us to speak up.
But there is a proper way to address it.
Instead of mounting a rebellion based on claims that stretched the truth Korach should have called for a meeting with Moses asked him out for a cup of coffee and worked it out.
Had he argued for the greater good of the Israeli People as he had claimed and meant it he would have had everything and more. But since he had alterior motives and just had his own ego and arrogance in mind it ended how it did.
If we really want to effect change and bring out our opinions we have to do it the right way and it will work.

Shabbos and Kosher

I recieved the following question:
I understand that you give the kosher supervision for (Certain Restaurant) in Manhattan. How is it possible for it to be kosher when it is open on the Sabbath?

Thanks for answering!

And I answered the following:
Hello,
Thanks for the question.
According to Jewish Law, Shabbos and Kosher are two different things. Being open on Shabbos does not effect the Kosher status of the food.
Of course we want every Jew to be all that they can be and keep the Shabbos as holy as can be. BUT if someone does not keep Shabbos it does NOT at all mean that their Kosher standards are compromised.
Unfortunately, in this world of convoluted and unnecessary stringencies we are made to believe the opposite, that Shabbos is somehow a Kosher standard.
When I was young, reliable certifying agencies did give certification to restaurants and businesses open on Shabbos. And even now all the major certifying agencies (OU, OK, etc.) certify factories that produce on Shabbos.
If I can help you any more please feel free to contact me further.
Have a good Shabbos.
Rabbi Schwarcz

Let's stay strong to our morals

More infidelity and unfaithfulness.
The world has become full of lies and untruths. It is very hard to find anyone, especially in public view, who speaks the truth and acts completely morally. (The Talmud actually spoke of this thousands of years ago.) Morals have been under a relentless barrage of attacks for many years.
It may be easy to fall prey and let down your guard. It may be easy to allow yourself liberties with the truth and morality, but try to stand strong to what you know to be true and moral and not let yourself be influenced by those who profess to be examples.
We really know what needs to be done and how we're supposed to act. So let's stay strong and do what Moses told Joshua, "be a mentsch".

Let's support liberty

I think we should give our strong support for the People of Iran who are trying to rally against tyranny on behalf of liberty and change.
I know we think that we can't do much just by speaking up or affect the outcome by our support, but by doing nothing we certainly don't accomplish anything.
As is stated by the powerful words (usually misattributed to 18th century Irish philosopher Edmund Burke) "All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing"

The Value of Positivity - Thoughts on the Parsha (Weekly Torah Portion)

Oh if only my name or my wife's was Marsha this column could be called "Marsha's Parshas"
What can I call it with the name of Zev??

In this week's Parsha we continue to follow the Israeli People's exploits during their second year out of Egypt as they travel through the desert on their way to Israel.
They are about to enter "The Land" but they want to first send spies to check it out.
Moses and (G-d) don't think it is necessary as once G-d says it is good the people should believe, but Moses (and G-d) understand human nature and allow the spies to be sent to allay the fears and satisfy the curiosity of the populace.
But a problem arose out of that spying and the story does not end so well (another 38 years in the desert).
Going to check things out wasn't the problem but the approach and outlook of most of the spies was. And that resulted in a bias that affected how they viewed and reported on the land.
And that approach was NEGATIVITY.
Instead of looking at the good side of what they saw the spies twisted all that they saw, sensationalized it to get dramatic effect and caused all the people to believe there was a crisis of doom. Until the people believed it was better to be enslaved in Egypt.
They weren't even able to hear the truth from the 2 spies who maintained the proper positive attitude.
They cried for nothing and wanted to give up.
So where are we in all this?
How do we view things?
Do we fall prey to the horrible claws of NEGATIVITY and recognize the drastic consequences??
They are always many ways of dealing with and viewing any situation and by approaching it with a positive attitude we can strengthen ourselves and better accomplish our goals and ourselves.

Mazel Tov?

I officiated at a wedding last night. And of course it was wonderful. But it was an interesting case which for me made it very worthwhile.
This couple was married 2 years ago civilly but never had a Chupah and Kiddushin (Jewish Law wedding). So for me it was an honor to be able to help a couple who wanted to increase their spiritual connection.
Now they're not "completely observant" yet, or maybe they'll never be but they wanted the connection so it was a pleasure to facilitate.
We had it at a Shul in Brooklyn so the groom's father, who has a hip problem, could attend as it was close to his house.
But what bothered me was that when the Rabbi of the shul "found out" that the couple was not "religious" he told me that he wouldn't have allowed the wedding in his shul and of course he couldn't be involved and he wouldn't be able to stay. (????!!!!)
Why are people like that?
Why can't we appreciate the positive steps people want to take without criticizing what you think are the steps they didn't take? Are we so pristinely perfect that we can be so judgemental?

thought on the Parsha (Torah Portion)

Good Shabbos all!
In this week's Parsha you find that the Israelis in the desert were complaining that they had no meat or fish (although they had the miraculous mana from heaven).
However the Torah doesn't say that they desired meat, rather it says that they desired a "desire"
or in other words they just wanted to want something. They just felt they should be getting more.
They were actually searching to find something they could crave.
or they were just looking for a reason not to be satisfied.
And this attitude was the beginning of the downturn which eventually led to having to spend the next 40 years in the desert.
We have to look at ourselves and see if we are satisfied with what we have. Are we grateful for all the good we have or are we being influenced by a entitlement mentality that just tells us take more more more I don't even know what but I deserve it I neeed it and now?

Hope to hear from alot of you soon

I know many of you have Kosher questions or just Jewish ones because I received alot of calls with questions and I was glad to be able to help. So I hope to hear from many of you here with comments or questions.