Shearis Yisroel rabbonim met in Bnei Brak to discuss how to
proceed in assessing the kashrus of various types of wigs
imported to Eretz Yisroel and consulted Maran HaRav Yosef
Sholom Eliashiv to clarify the numerous questions that arose
during the course of the long meeting.
Held at Shearis Yisroel headquarters in the Grand Hall
building, the meeting was attended by Badatz Shearis Yisroel
rabbonim HaRav Tzvi Weber, HaRav Tzvi Friedman and HaRav
Eliezer Halevi Dunner and Shearis kashrus head HaRav Avrohom
Shlomo Lebovitz along with HaRav Aryeh Dvir and HaRav Chaim
Katz of Haifa.
Various professionals including wig importers and
manufacturers from Eretz Yisroel and abroad were brought in
to provide information during the four-hour meeting. The
rabbonim were given a survey of the wig industry as well as a
detailed report on possible ways of verifying the source of
hair used for the various types of wigs. The rabbonim decided
to examine the issue carefully from both a practical
standpoint and a halachic standpoint before giving their
opinion.
At the end of the meeting it was decided to present HaRav
Eliashiv with an overview of the professional and halachic
information and have him make final decisions on the
questions that arose.
Meanwhile the public is eagerly awaiting developments and
announcements by the panel. According to Secretary Rav Chaim
Ruchamkin dozens of sheitelmachers as well as
importers and manufacturers have already sought information
and directives regarding the wigs in their possession and
those that are to be manufactured in the future. The rabbonim
will begin assessing the individual types of wigs as soon as
special representatives sent to trace the origins of the hair
used and the manufacturing process return and report their
findings.
There are related articles about reactions to the whole
issue in the Home and Family section.
