עברית
Halachot and Customs
Is It Permissible to Work in Selling Non-Kosher Food?
Question
Hello, I personally observe kashrut and do not eat non-kosher food. I wanted to know, if I work, for example, in a non-kosher restaurant that serves seafood and so on, and I am a waiter there, is that permissible? People order non-kosher food, and that is their right and choice. I simply offer them the menu, which is also non-kosher, and recommend dishes even though they are not kosher. But it is not because I want them to eat it; it is because these are the restaurant's rules, and I am merely performing my job. My question is: is it permitted for me to work in such a place? Is there a halachic ruling that clearly states I cannot, meaning it is a transgression? After all, you always claim that in a difficult financial situation one must work before studying Torah, and this is my livelihood, so why is it forbidden for me if I make a living from it and keep kosher myself and do not eat the food? Thank you for a detailed answer, please.
Answer
Hello Alon, The Rambam writes in his laws: It is forbidden to sell weapons of war to non-Jews, and one must not sharpen their swords. One must not sell them knives, daggers, chains, iron shackles, or iron instruments used for harm, nor bears and lions, nor anything that causes harm to many; but they may sell shields only to defend. Just as it is forbidden to sell these items to a non-Jew, so it is forbidden for a Jew to sell them to a non-Jew indirectly. It is permitted to sell a sword to the army of the country because they defend Israel. Anything forbidden to sell to a non-Jew is also forbidden to sell to a Jew who is a rogue, since one strengthens the hand of a transgressor and causes others to stumble. Likewise, anyone who causes a blind person to stumble, gives bad advice, or encourages transgressors who are blind and do not see the true way due to their desires, transgresses the prohibition "Do not set a stumbling block before the blind" (Leviticus 19:14). In the occupation of waitering in a restaurant that serves forbidden foods (terefot), you are first:
1. Strengthening the hand of transgressors — the owners, the customers — and it is grave because you benefit from marketing forbidden foods, receiving payment both from the owner and tips; this is as if you yourself are selling forbidden foods.
2. You provide bad advice to customers by recommending forbidden foods such as seafood, transgressing the Torah prohibition "Do not set a stumbling block before the blind."
3. You assist in consuming forbidden foods, taking part in causing eternal spiritual death to the souls of those who eat there and bear responsibility also for their children, who are influenced by the spiritual damage that affects their parents.
4. It is obvious that if it were drugs or poisons, there would be no question, and even at the price of financial loss, you would not participate indirectly in harming a person; all the more so regarding spiritual death, which the Sages said is more severe than physical death. The experience is difficult, but Hashem hears and supports those who do not sin. Be strong and courageous, do not be enticed by this path, and with Hashem's help you will see blessing and kosher livelihood in your deeds.
