עברית
Halachot and Customs
Types of Kosher Certifications
Question
Recently, I began to observe eating foods certified by a reliable authority out of a strong fear of consuming something prohibited according to halacha. However, I do not fully understand the differences between the various kosher certifications. What is the difference between the Rabbanut certification, Mehadrin, and Badatz, etc.? What is the highest level of kosher, and who is it best to rely upon? Additionally, what is the boundary between honoring parents and kosher observance? I come from a religious household that does not strictly adhere to kosher laws, and I am struggling with this issue a lot. Should I try to talk to my parents about this so they will change the situation and make the kitchen and utensils kosher? Is it not a chutzpah (rude) to change everything in the house? If there is no agreement between us and a conflict arises, what should I do about what to eat? I feel backed into a corner on this issue since I do not have many options, and I am afraid on one hand of failing in honoring my father and mother and on the other of eating non-kosher foods in non-kosher utensils that may defile my soul. I look forward to your response soon. Thank you in advance.
Answer
Hello and blessings,
A. Foods supervised by the Rabbanut certification are kosher for consumption.
B. The regular Rabbanut certification relies on various leniencies in rulings for reasons such as the nullification of prohibition by majority, or relying on a lenient opinion in cases of loss, etc.
C. Since the Rabbanut supervision is based on leniencies, there exists a stricter standard of supervision, providing kosher foods ideally without resorting to lenient methods present in halacha.
D. Even among certifications that do not rely on leniencies, there are different levels, which are not always clear regarding where one certification is stricter than another.
E. As a general guideline, one who wishes to be strict and eat only what is ideally kosher may eat from a certification that defines itself as 'kosher l'mehadrin,' which includes certain branches of Mehadrin provided by specific Rabbis like those of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
F. Certifications such as Adat HaChareidit, Belz, Rabbi Landau, She'arit Yisrael, Rabbi Rubin, Beit Yosef, Rabbi Machpud, among others, are certifications that ensure everything is glatt kosher ideally, but as mentioned above, you can certainly rely on 'Rabbanut Mehadrin' as well.
G. It is not advisable to maintain these practices out of fear, but rather out of love, internalizing that Hashem commanded us to eat kosher because He knows it is best for us.
H. There is no obligation to kosher utensils that were previously used for items that were certified by any Rabbi. If your issues are still unresolved by the above points, I would be happy if you would ask again.
May you achieve success, a daughter of the King - Menashe Israel.
