פון ישיבה ווארלדThe following is what Rav Teitelbaum told YWN:
''Approximately 1.5 years ago, Chaskel's Shwarma King was sold to a
Frum Sephardic Jew. The owner is an Erlich Yid (pious Jew), who asks
Shailos (questions) on almost a daily basis - even on the smallest
question which arise in his store.
Two weeks ago, the Mashgiach mentioned to the owner that they were
not satisfied with the current manager, so the owner immediately hired
his brother-in-law to work as the store manager.
Additionally, new non-Jewish employees were hired as well.
Last evening, the store ran-out of hotdogs, and a new employee
(non-Jew) was sent to the nearby ''Kollel Store'' to purchase a few
packages until their next delivery arrived.
The employee returned into the store openly carrying the non-Kosher
hotdogs, prompting customers who were inside to start questioning the
manager on what was going on. It seems that the employee never walked
to the Kollel Store, but rather to a nearby grocery which carries
non-Kosher meats.
The Mashgiach was contacted at 2:00AM, and dispatched Mashgichim
along with at least two independent Rabbonim to the store for a
thorough investigation. The two Rabbonim are Rav Yitzchok Stein, and
Rav Moshe Roth (son of Hagon Rav Chaskel Roth Shlita).
During their investigation, at least 50 empty packages of Meal Mart
hotdogs were found in the garbage, leading them to believe that the
store had in fact just run out of hotdogs a few hours earlier. They
searched the entire store, and found absolutely no evidence of any
Treif other then the few packages of closed hotdogs just brought into
the store''
Rav Teitelbaum tells YWN that as of this moment, the Hashgocha
remains on the establishment, and the non-Jewish employee (who was just
hired last week) has since been fired.
Rav Teitelbaum also felt the need to publicize the following: The
individuals who witnessed the employee carrying in the hotdogs did the
right thing by asking questions, but the way in which it was done is
unacceptable.
The Halacha requires them to question the Baal Din, but not to
spread rumors across the community before allowing the Rav Hamachshir
to conduct his investigation.
The Hashgocha will be releasing an official statement in the next
few hours - following a meeting of their Bais Din and other prominent
Poskim & Rabbonim.
''There are many lessons to be learned from this incident, a
prominent Rov told YWN. Perhaps we should take this as a lesson to
demand that a Mashgiach Timidi be installed in every establishment. But
most important, is the need for each and every Jew to learn the
Halachas of Shmiras Halashon, and find out how one is supposed to react
in such a situation according to Halacha, and not instinct.''
(Dov Gordon - YWN)
