Compiled by Rabbi Moishe Dovid Lebovits who can be reached at [email protected]

Reviewed by Rabbi Ben-zion Schiffenbauer Shlita

All Piskei Harav Yisrael Belsky Shlita are Reviewed by Harav Yisrael Belsky Shlita

Volume 6 Issue 6

6-24-11

Sender Will See the Seal

If the food product being sent by the non-Jew will eventually be seen by the sender (after he sent it in the hands of the non-Jew) then there is no concern the non-Jew will

switch the product, since he is afraid that the sender will notice the wrong seal. However, if the sender will not see the product then it would require the two necessary seals, unless the messenger is informed that the receiver knows how the seals look.²²  

Meat

Everyone knows the scandals which took place regarding switching meats; therefore, one should require two seals and should not accept meat without it.²³  

Unreliable Frum Jew vs. Non – Jew²⁴

There are some who differentiate between an unreliable frum Jew and a non-Jew in regard to these halachos. Some say that there is no need for two seals if the food is being sent through a non-Jew, and two seals are only required if the food is being sent through a unreliable frum Jew.²⁵ The reason for the differentiation is that the Jew feels that he is above suspicion and might exchange the item, but a non-Jew knows that we are concerned about switching, so only one seal is required.²⁶ As a matter of halacha l’maseh this is not relied upon l’chatchilah but only after the fact (b’dieved).²⁷