Tuna sandwich at Subway in Israel - kosher too?

Asked by sammy · November 25, 2002 · Uncategorized

Question

Hi, In Israel we have Subway sandwich shops too. Some are certified kosher (no meat and milk, closed on Shabbat, terumot and Maasrot) and some are not. According to your psak I understood that it is permissible to enter and have a tuna sandwich in any branch. My friend told me that I must be nuts! I told him that the bread is pas yisrael and the even the cheese is not a problem of gevinat akum since it is made by Jews has rabbinical supervision and is chalav yisrael. He countered that the non-certified shops have no terumot and maasrot taken, do not observe shmitta, bake bread on Shabbat, do not take challa, are not checked regarding orla, etc. In addition he claimed that if I walk into a non-kosher Subway shop in my Yeshivish clothes etc. people may think that the whole shop is kosher etc., since in Israel Yeshivish people do not usually buy food at non-kosher restaurants. 1) Is the law permitting eating at Subway the same here in Israel as it is in galut? 2) Is there a problem of maarit ayin in a place where there is a clear mode of behavior of religious people (in not entering non-kosher restaurants)? 3) Do I have to worry about terumot and maaserot in israel or can I just assume that most people here are familiar with all of the laws and just trust them that they have followed it all properly? 4) Can I assume that at least restaurants know all the laws regarding produce in Israel and observe them even if they are open on Shabbat? thanks, Sammy!!!

Answer

Answered by Aaron Abadi

Israel unfortunately is also in Galut! The reason that we are having all these problems, is because of our sins. One is safer in Iraq than in Israel right now. 1) Better in Israel as you suggested. 2) No Maarit Hayin except as listed in the Gemara, or in Rishonim and subsequently brought down in Shulchan Aruch. 3) Unless you know differently in a particular case, the Terumot and Maasrot are only Derabanan and therefore it's Ok, because it is a Safek Derabanan. A majority of the produce in Israel has Teruma & Maasar taken by a Rabbanut of some sort. 4) Same as #3 In regards to Pat Yisrael, a Subway run by a non-Jew would actually be Pat Palter, which is permitted. One of my favorite issues that your friend omitted was the fact that the employees who are not religious touch the food without washing Netilat Yadayim (Negel Vasser) in the morning. Shame on him for forgetting this. AA