As the battle against unwanted technology continues in the frum community in Israel, one hand matzah factory owner promises to pay a NIS 100,000 fine if anyone finds anyone involved in his matzah production with an unwanted smartphone.
Mr. Yehuda Katina, who operates the “Matzos Mehudaros” bakery last year informed his employees that would be fined 10% of their salary if they were found to be carrying a non-kosher phone. Katina has also purchased a supply of kosher phones, which he will give to his employees who do not have one.
Some people involved in the bakery explain some area rabbonim are unwilling to use matzos for Pesach from a bakery employing people with non-kosher phones. They explain the phones lead to speaking about things that should not be discussed while making matzos for the mitzvah and speech while making matzos should be limited to ‘dibur kodesh’.
Katina assures the rabbonim they needn’t worry for his workers are fine and that he gives out kosher phones for those who need one.
Despite the assurances the community rabbonim have raised the stakes, explaining if anyone is found with a non-kosher phone, the bakery will be compelled to pay a NIS 100,000 (one hundred thousand) fine.
The report does not state to whom the fine will be paid.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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5 Responses
I humbly submit that there is far more worrisome issues in the baking. of hand matzos, such as chometz gamur.
O gosh! He’s so narrow minded!
Aha! And there’s no such a thing as a Kosher smartphone? And people who have flip phones don’t speak Loshon Horah?
Stupid guy! One track minded!
sounds like discrimination to me!
#1 therefore?
Now that we know the name of the bakery “Matzos Mehudaros”, we have the right to choose whether we prefer to buy their matzos or others’. As with what #1 was pointing out, I prefer to purchase matzos from a bakery which places heavier emphasis on the Kashurus, or advancement of preventing chometz of the Matzah, not the types of phones one uses.