By Joseph Marshall
Late last week, the MK removed certification from the Benny & Fils restaurant for violation of their kashurus standards.
Yaniv Cohen, one of Benny & Fils owners took to his own Instagram and explained that the dispute with the MK centered around their use of Bridor baguettes. He shared a letter from the MK where the restaurant was instructed to stop using the baguettes because they were no longer considered pas Yisroel (baked by a Jew). Benny & Fils, who had been using the baguettes for 20 years, refused. After numerous warnings and phone calls ignored by the restaurant, the MK removed their certification.
Today, in an instagram post, the MK explained that previously Bridor baguettes (certified MK) were par baked, therefore requiring the consumer to bake it to make it edible, that final step allowed the bread to be pas Yisroel. Due to a change in the production process, the baguettes are now fully baked at Bridor, elminating the requirement of the consumer baking them, therefore they can no longer be pas Yisroel.
Benny & Fils is now certified by the KSR Kosher Certification.
This is a totally ridiculous statement that actually makes the MK look even more pathetic.
It’s also, simply, untrue. When you buy the bridor baguettes, they come white as snow. Only after you bake them do they become toasted on the outside. And this is precisely the Heker the Shulchan Aruch relies on to make bread Pat Israel, even if fully baked by a non jew.
The VAAD is not above the Shulchan Aruch. Everything they base their “standard” on is rooted in Shulchan Aruch.
See Yore De’ah, siman 112.
Andre P, maybe English isn’t your first language. It has nothing to do with browning. If the bread is edible (rauy l’achila) then it has to be pat Yisrael. I’m just surprised the MK didn’t wait until the yearly contract with Benny’s expired, a bit of Seychelles.
The issue is not one’s personal observance of Pas Yisroel, nor is it a debate over its relative importance. The facts are straightforward: Benny’s entered into a formal agreement with the MK, stipulating that they must adhere to all MK standards—specifically the observance of Pas Yisroel.
Unfortunately, both the MK and the consumers who rely on these standards were let down when Benny’s failed to faithfully adhere to these rules, despite having received prior warnings. It is not the prerogative of Benny’s owners, or anyone else for that matter, to unilaterally redefine what qualifies as Pas Yisroel. That halachic authority rests solely with the supervising organization.
Furthermore, when an establishment makes arbitrary kashrut decisions independent of its rabbinical supervisors, it dilutes the integrity of the certification and casts doubt on the establishment’s overall commitment to kashrut.
Regarding KSR: if they choose to overlook this lapse while enforcing their own requirements, that is their prerogative. However, for those who strictly observe Pas Yisroel and wish to frequent establishments that cater to their specific halachic needs, Benny’s is simply no longer an option. This is a deeply disappointing outcome for the community. I wish Benny’s the best and hope this situation can be amicably rectified so that everyone can continue enjoying their great food and ambiance