kosher markets

Asked by sammy · December 3, 2003 · Kashrut

Question

B'chavod, Here in Israel, there are markets that sell only products with a hechsher, and have a hechsher on the whole market. Then there are markets that sell products without hechsherim, and don't have a seal of approval. Then there are markets which sell blatantly non-kosher food (pork, etc) and kosher food all in the same place. I've been told that it is a problem to shop in the places that sell non-kosher. To quote what a friend wrote me: "it most definitley is a halichik problem to shop by a yid in Israel if he sells pig. Ask your rav. I can show you many teshovot that state that it is a problem, and in fact that they fall under the halachot of both a mumar and ha'osek b'pesel (a person who deals with idols)" Is this true? Should I shop only in "Kosher" markets? Thank you, Sam

Answer

Answered by Aaron Abadi

You can't trust the owner to give you a Rib steak, and say it's Kosher, but you can certainly buy packaged foods, vegetables fruit and anything you know is Kosher. Don't get any legal advice, medical advice, or halachic advice from a friend. AA