Knesset finds itself in kashrut conundrum

The Knesset’s rabbi briefly removed its kashrut certificate in protest during a dispute over stringent measures he required for the legislature’s kitchen Monday.

The Knesset’s main kitchen, which provides food to both the main meat cafeteria and the MK cafeteria, has been undergoing a massive, monthslong renovation, and instead of having meals prepared on-site, they’re being delivered.

The food has a very stringent kashrut certificate from Mehadrin Jerusalem and Badatz Edah Haredit.

Knesset Rabbi Alexander Hochman decided that there must be a kashrut supervisor on the truck while the food is being delivered, but Knesset director-general Albert Sacharovich thought that was an unnecessary use of taxpayer dollars.

Sacharovich got a second opinion from Jerusalem Chief Rabbi Aryeh Stern, who said a supervisor is not needed on the truck.

In response, Hochman physically removed the cafeteria’s kashrut certificate.

Knesset spokesman Yotam Yakir said that there is no change to the kosher status of the cafeteria.

“The kashrut in the Knesset has always been at the highest level of supervision, which responds to the needs of all those coming to the Knesset, even the most stringent,” Yakir said. “Therefore, the catering that the Knesset has been bringing during the renovations stands up to the strictest standards.”

As for the additional kashrut supervisor, Yakir pointed to Stern’s ruling, adding, “The Knesset director-general must be careful with public funds and make sure that expenses are indeed necessary.”