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NEWS
Parchment Made by Non-Jews and Non-Observant Jews Sold as
Kosher Klaf
by Betzalel Kahn
Vaad HaRabbonim LeInyonei Stam and Vaad Mefakchei Stam
Vetashmishei Kedushoh are issuing warnings against
gidim (sinews) manufactured by non-Jews in the former
Soviet Union and sold as fine, kosher gidim, and
against parchment made at factories in the Territories by
Arabs and at factories in Israel that do not keep Torah and
mitzvas. The parchment is not made lishmoh.
The gidim problem became known when a Ukrainian non-
Jew, speaking in innocence, said he made his living from Jews
by manufacturing spun sinew threads. An inquiry revealed
there is a large spun sinew thread industry among non-
Jews.
According to halochoh the gidim as well as the
klaf used for sifrei Torah, tefillin and
mezuzas must be made from kosher types of animals
— min hamutar beficho — and must also be
made for mitzvah purposes — lishmoh. Now it has
come to light they are sometimes made at non-Jewish or
nonreligious factories and sold as gidim and
klaf made and supervised by observant Jews. Even if
the retailer is observant, buyers should check into the
company where the product was originally manufactured.
According to reports, large quantities of spun gidim
were recently shipped from the Ukraine to Eretz Yisroel and
are being offered at low prices to chareidi dealers as
well.
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