Machine matzo baking began several weeks ago in the Hamatzos
Hamehudoros bakery in Yad Binyomin, under the supervision of
the BaDaTz of Shearis Yisroel.
Members of the BaDaTz visited the bakery and saw firsthand
how their halachic guidelines had been implemented. They
praised the bakery owners for their staunch insistence upon
adherence to the special chumros of the BaDaTz and
expressed their satisfaction over the tremendous efforts the
bakery owners have made in order to insure the outstanding
kashrus of the matzos.
The day before the baking began, the gaavad of the
BaDaTz and the bakery owner visited HaRav Yosef Sholom
Eliashiv in order to receive his blessing. After being warmly
welcomed, they discussed halachic issues related to the matzo
baking and the special halachic stringencies being
implemented this year, according to his directives.
HaRav Eliashiv was very satisfied with the special
stringencies the Yad Binyamin bakery maintains and strives to
develop throughout the entire year. He then reiterated what
he has said in recent years and has permitted to be
published: In his opinion, the matzos of the Yad Binyomin
bakery -- both hand and machine -- baked under the
supervision of the BaDaTz of Shearis Yisroel, are of the
highest halachic standard. He added that he instructs his
family to purchase these matzos.
During the past few years, many significant improvements have
been made in the bakery. A new water room and a new mixer
room were built, along with an insulating wall between the
oven and the production room. This wall is made of Ytong
insulation blocks, whose purpose is to prevent any potential
transfer of heat between the oven and the production room.
The oven has also been significantly lengthened in order to
speed up production and to prevent -- inasmuch as possible --
leaving the matzos in the room before placing them in the
oven.
The bakery owners have gone to great lengths this year to
ensure maximal sanitary conditions. This issue is one of the
most important aspects of the hiddur. The walls were
covered with tiles and improvements in the building itself
were made to make the entire factory more esthetically
pleasing.
Special stringencies not employed by other bakeries have been
instituted. No other bakery can compete with Yad Binyomin in
kashrus and quality.
The bakery owners also note that production stops completely
every eighteen minutes, at which time the entire production
line -- from the kneading equipment to the oven -- is totally
dismantled. All machines undergo cleansing with a strong
water jet and air pressure. The perforator )redler( is
also dismantled and brought to be cleaned by a special crane,
while another perforator is assembled in its place. The
bakery owners enable chaburos to examine parts of the
machines.
The great halachic authorities of our times approved the
steps taken to prevent heating before reaching the oven. On
the other hand, as soon as the matzos enter the oven, the
heat reaches a degree in which the matzos can be baked in a
relatively short period of time.
The members of the BaDaTz, HaRav Tzvi Weber and HaRav A.
Halevi Dunner visited the bakery and carefully examined all
stages of production. Among other things, they examined the
new Dutch grinding machine which constitutes an important
breakthrough in grinding, since this machine stays unusually
cool while it works.
The bakery owners say that they have paid special attention
to the quality and taste of the matzos, including special
flour and wheat mixtures as well as other details.
In other Shearis news, three new greengrocers recently opened
in Jerusalem, due to the huge demand for fresh produce with
the outstanding Shearis Yisroel hechsher. The Alshi
organization )Avreichim Lema'an Shearis Yisroel( has
arranged for three additional greengrocers in Jerusalem in
the Ezras Torah, Ramat Shlomo and Neve Yaakov neighborhoods,
to meet the increased demand for fruits and vegetables as
well as other food products with the Shearis Yisroel
hechsher.
These stores join the established greengrocers in following
Shearis guidelines in orlah and terumos
uma'aseros according to HaRav Yosef Sholom Eliashiv,
meticulously fulfilled by Shearis kashrus
supervisors.
Since many Jerusalem consumers are heads of large families,
the Jerusalem branch of Alshi has made arrangements for
special discounts in these stores. Alshi's arrangement with
Machsanei Mazon in Jerusalem for the provision of food
products with the Shearis hechsher has been very
successful, and their product list has steadily increased.
In the wake of the large demand for food products and fresh
produce with the highest quality hechsher, Alshi has
asked additional store owners to apply for the Shearis
hechsher.
