DV: 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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