Eating at Subway

Asked by Jerry George Wolfman · April 9, 2003 · Kashrut

Question

Dear Rabbi Abadi, A while ago you were asked about eating one's own food at mcdonalds (to stay warm in the dead of winter). Well, I took your advise - you said it was ok - but it didn't work out so well for me. I was sitting by the window overlooking the street, munching on my tuna salad sandwich, when lo and behold the rabbi of our shul walked by. He glanced at me, did a double take and came rushing into the restaurant shouting obscenities at me and calling me every name in the book. I tried to explain but he turned and stormed out. Last shabbat he delivered a blistering sermon (not mentioning me by name) but clearly alluding to the incident, and admonishing 'his flock' to remain 'true to the cause'. He kept glancing in my direction. My question is: what can I do to educate our rabbi to the fact that I did nothing wrong?

Answer

Answered by Aaron Abadi

A Rabbi who acts in such a way is not a Rabbi. Keep far away from him. Look at the Rambam's description of a Rabbi. This man is not listed there. (Rambam Perek #5 in Hilchot Deot) From about twenty years and earlier, this was the standard in the Jewish society. People traveled from city to city. They stopped at the local inn and ate there. If they could afford it, they slaughtered their own goat. Otherwise, they ate the inn's vegetables and whatnot. We're in a new era. The era of the black hat. Don't let the black hat cross your path! Of course, it's not the hat that's the issue, but this new religion.... What was good from Moshe till 20 years ago, is good enough for me. AA