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Brooklyn, NY - 30 Leading Rabbis Sign Religious Ban Prohibiting Passover Price Gouging |
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Brooklyn, NY - Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) and Mr. Alexander Rapaport of Masbia Soup Kitchen have joined forces to draft a religious ban prohibiting Passover price gouging in the Orthodox Jewish community. This decree, known as a kol koreh or a public pronouncement, is not a new phenomenon in the religious Jewish community. There is a great deal of precedent in Jewish law for rabbis to issue edicts against monopolies or other situations which are deemed spiritually reckless.
Signed by 30 prominent rabbis, this kol koreh employs strong language. The headline declares, “One must be extra careful in circumstances where a monetary loss will be incurred.” States the edict, “Now before Passover, especially when the economy is so bad, we are reminding people of the Jewish law concerning monopolies.” The rabbis further caution store owners to have mercy on the consumer all year around, but particularly at Passover when there is so much need. “And it is forbidden to take advantage of market prices before the holiday and to raise prices without a justifiable reason,” warns the decree.
In addition to the edict, Hikind has secured commitments from major distributors to sell Passover items at or below cost. Golden Flow, Mehadrin Dairy, Ahava Foods, and World Cheese Co., Inc. (Ha’Olam) have all agreed to maintain their year-round pricing for Passover. Reisman Bakery and Materna (the Israeli baby formula and food company) have each announced a 15 percent discount on all their kosher-for-Passover products.
These distributors are among those praised in the ban by the rabbis. “We were happy to hear that some stores and manufacturers listened to the poor in our community, and have either brought down prices or agreed not to raise them. The Almighty should bless their efforts and people should learn from them and replicate their actions.”
In explaining his reasoning behind the need for this ban, Hikind said, “I do not begrudge any store owner from making a living. I am just asking owners to have compassion and not to take advantage of people just because they can get away with it. I am hoping those who determine the prices will adhere to the kol koreh.”
Unlike many rabbinical decrees where rabbis’ names are added without their perusal or consent, this kol koreh was read and signed personally by each rabbi listed. Following is the list of rabbis who have affixed their name to the ban:
Rabbi Moshe Freidman, Satmar Dayen; Rabbi Yechiel Mechil Steinmetz, Skver Dayen; Rabbi Shlomo Gross, Belz Dayen; Rabbi Yecheskel Roth, Karlesburg Rov; Rabbi Yitzchok Stein, Foltishan Dayen; Rabbi Tzvi Hirsh Friedlander, Liske Rov; Rabbi Avroham Friedlander, Hivnover Rov; Rabbi Pinchas Shulom Hager, Viznitz Rov; Rabbi Menachem Mendel Rosenberg, Viznitz Dayen; Rabbi Shrage Favish Hager, Kosov Rebbe; Rabbi Moshe Fogel, Ger Dayen; Rabbi Elye Fischer, Ger Rosh Hakollel; Rabbi Yakkov Miller, Eizenshtater Rov; Rabbi Avroham Chaim Schteinwurtzel, Matei Efrayim Rov; Rabbi Gavriel Tzinner, Neitei Gavriel Rov; Rabbi Chaim Eluzer Freidman, Tenke Rov; Rabbi Aron Glick, Kameniz Rov; Rabbi Chaim Yeshuah Konig, Yokeh Rov; Rabbi Moshe Menachem Weiss, Pupe Dayen; Rabbi Yechiel Kaufman, Sfardish Shul Rov and Executive Director of BPJCC; Rabbi Yakov Perlow, Noviminsker Rebbe; Rabbi Moshe Wolfson, Emunas Yisroel Rov and Mashgiach of Torah Voda’as; Rabbi Yakov Yisroel Rubin Brizdovitz Rov; Rabbi Psachaya Fried, Bnei Yisroel Rov; Rabbi Shulem Yosef Chaim Hacohen Fried Krasne Rov; Rabbi Aron Wieder, Linzer Rov; Rabbi Yisroel Dovid Bik, Nachlas Moshe; Rabbi Bezion Hacohen Strasser, Neitre Dayen; Rabbi Gershon Tenenbaum, Linben Hights Rov; and Rabbi Yakov Horowitz, Rosh Yeshivas Beis Meir Rov of Telzer Minyan.
As part of his ongoing campaign to fight Passover price inflation, Hikind’s office also conducted a survey over the last six weeks to determine if store owners are capitalizing on consumers in one of the worst financial climates in recent history. Basic Passover items such as sugar, coffee, and quartered chicken, among other products were surveyed.
In Brooklyn, a 5lb bag of kosher-for-Passover Domino sugar sold from $2.79 to $3.69, while Gefen, CRC, and Lieber’s sugar sold for as much as $6.99 a bag depending on the store and the certification. The same held true for a 7oz. can of coffee. Under its own label, the price for kosher-for-Passover Taster’s Choice ranges between $7.49 and $9.99. On cans which feature an added certification, the price jumped to as high as $14.45 per container. Other brands like Maxwell House, Elite, and Lieber’s were even cheaper than either Taster’s Choice options at most Brooklyn stores.
Surprisingly, the price for quartered chicken remained fairly static from February to March in Brooklyn with prices hovering near $2.69/lb or slightly higher. Some stores even dropped their prices by as much as 50 to 70 cents per pound in March. Queens residents saw a forty cent increase per pound in three of their major stores, with a much smaller, per-pound increase in the Five Towns.
“My advice to every consumer shopping this Passover is ‘buyer beware,’ said Hikind. “While it may be inconvenient to patronize several different stores this Passover, the overall savings will definitely add up.”
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Read Comments (93) — Post Yours »
1
Mar 23, 2009 at 09:04 AM matza eater Says:
ShopRite lowers their prices for Paysach, gives you free matzah and never gouges.
2
Mar 23, 2009 at 08:58 AM Avraham Says:
As a non-chossid, I am impressed with so many chassidishe personalities that have signed this kol koreh. More litvishe rabbonim must join.
3
Mar 23, 2009 at 09:34 AM Anonymous Says:
finally a kol koreh about something real.
4
Mar 23, 2009 at 09:34 AM dan Says:
its about time they woke up but does anyone really believe it will be done
5
Mar 23, 2009 at 09:23 AM Anonymous Says:
Customers should also refer to the pesach guides put out by various kashrus agencies. They will tell you which products need specific pesach certification, and which "year-round" products can be used during pesach. Buying the acceptable "year-round" products can save a lot.
6
Mar 23, 2009 at 09:21 AM Anonymous Says:
let the price of the hechsher come down so the companies can then charge less
7
Mar 23, 2009 at 09:20 AM Anonymous Says:
about time someone did something about the rising prices now lets see them roll back matzah prices which are up again
8
Mar 23, 2009 at 09:18 AM Anonymous Says:
“ As a non-chossid, I am impressed with so many chassidishe personalities that have signed this kol koreh. More litvishe rabbonim must join. ”
“ As a non-chossid, I am impressed with so many chassidishe personalities that have signed this kol koreh. More litvishe rabbonim must join.”
What world do you live on. I've counted at least 17 well known misnagdim among this list of rabbonim so why do you say they are all chasidim. But thats besides the point. Who cares what derech they follow. Its the message that yiddinm cannot continue gougin yiddin. Even Rav Milhouse who posts here on a regular basis and who is a famous free market thinker said it is assur to overcharge on pesach and also on hol hamoed yom tov.
9
Mar 23, 2009 at 09:43 AM Chaim S. Says:
Forget getting Rabbonim to sign. How about getting the presidents of Alle, Gefen, Rokeach, Empire, etc. And the grocery supermarkets to sign. We know that kosher costs more, we are all used to that idea. But Pesach items do not have to cost more. Does it actually cost $4 to take Domino or generic sugar and repout it into the "mehadrin Min Hamehadrin min ha holier than thou" kosher bags? Do these owners have any idea how many frum families have absolutely no parnoso and are too ashamed or proud to ask for help? Hundreds, many hundreds. Can't you guys tighten your belts one year and give the consumers a break? By the way, I can BH afford $6.99 sugar and $18.50 matzo so I'm not writing out of bitterness. I'm writing out of concern for Klal Yisroel.
10
Mar 23, 2009 at 09:41 AM Anonymous Says:
Like these hoodlums will really listen
11
Mar 23, 2009 at 09:16 AM Anonymous Says:
“ ShopRite lowers their prices for Paysach, gives you free matzah and never gouges. ”
Free matzah ?? you must have had your arba kosos already.
12
Mar 23, 2009 at 09:47 AM Anonymous Says:
You guys are all a bunch of hypocrites. When these same rabonim signed against the Lipa concert you were all up in arms about the "chutzpa" of the rabonim. Now they sign something that you like, its wonderful. You can't have it both ways.
13
Mar 23, 2009 at 10:05 AM Anonymous Says:
What about price gouging all year long? Where is the Kol Koreh ?
14
Mar 23, 2009 at 09:58 AM Litvak Says:
“ As a non-chossid, I am impressed with so many chassidishe personalities that have signed this kol koreh. More litvishe rabbonim must join. ”
If you read the report carefully, you will see that this particular proclamation came from Hassidic Boro Park - Alexander Rapaport of Masbia, which is in BP, and Assemblyman Hikind of BP. If you look at those who signed on to it, you will see that the largest number is from the BP area. Since that is a mostly Hassidic area, most of the signatories are Hassidic. When Hassidic people from a Hassidic area do such a thing, they go to their Hassidic leaders.
There is no implication that Litvishe Rabbonim support price gouging, chas vesholom, it's just that they were not asked to sign obviously. The Hassidim of BP don't look to Litvishe Rabbonim for leadership.
15
Mar 23, 2009 at 10:20 AM economist Says:
When a jew charges more than a goy, there is no need to buy from the jews. let economic competition be the kol koreh.
16
Mar 23, 2009 at 10:18 AM Anonymous Says:
We don't have anything processed at Pesach, just sugar (which we boil for sugar water to flavor the fish & squeezed OJ) & oil because shmaltz is dangerous for me. But I think this is fantastic & long overdue. The fruit & veg stores should do the same. And fish...what I pay is ridiculous!
to #12, when the Rabbonim asured concerts etc, that was frivolous. You're mixing apples & oranges here. These are 2 separate concepts & this affects many families, as Chaim S. says. BTW, I wish our matza only cost $18.50 a lb!
17
Mar 23, 2009 at 10:17 AM Anonymous Says:
“ If you read the report carefully, you will see that this particular proclamation came from Hassidic Boro Park - Alexander Rapaport of Masbia, which is in BP, and Assemblyman Hikind of BP. If you look at those who signed on to it, you will see that the largest number is from the BP area. Since that is a mostly Hassidic area, most of the signatories are Hassidic. When Hassidic people from a Hassidic area do such a thing, they go to their Hassidic leaders.
There is no implication that Litvishe Rabbonim support price gouging, chas vesholom, it's just that they were not asked to sign obviously. The Hassidim of BP don't look to Litvishe Rabbonim for leadership. ”
Whether or not the rebbe signing this letter wears a bekeshe and streimel is not important; their status as gadolim recognized by all of the yiddeshe community in NYC is what is important. Name one of these eherleche yiddin who is not a great talmud chochom.
18
Mar 23, 2009 at 10:12 AM hub rachmunis Says:
No big deal Reismans is new in the pesach line that's why it's an advertisement for them why don't we hear from companies like Gefen,Oberlanders or Vineland don't you have some rachmunis on the yidden that struggle to make pesach, wake up its not too Late Yet
19
Mar 23, 2009 at 10:10 AM Anonymous Says:
How about to get the clothing stores to reduce their prices before Pesach..I have 4 bucherim 3 yinglech and 3 girls to dress up for yom tov and i live on a fixed income.
How many cheese and lady fingers does anyone buy that we make such a fuss about it? Where is everyone when it comes to Matzohs,Fish,Meat,Clothing.....Dov hikind is doing a super job fighting Kosher prices and we need him to get more involved...
20
Mar 23, 2009 at 10:10 AM Duh Says:
“ What about price gouging all year long? Where is the Kol Koreh ? ”
the kol koreh says it is forbidden all year round. the rabbonim are just remining us of the halacha.
21
Mar 23, 2009 at 09:57 AM Anonymous Says:
“ As a non-chossid, I am impressed with so many chassidishe personalities that have signed this kol koreh. More litvishe rabbonim must join. ”
is it my imagination? but why is only one litvish rav signing and only one sefardish signing but all the rest are from the chasidish enclave? something isn't right
22
Mar 23, 2009 at 09:53 AM Anonymous Says:
Most of the products yiddinm MUST buy for pesach don't need special hashgacha and regular kashruth certification is sufficient. If you want to be a machmir let the market set the price and don't tell shopkeepers what they must charge. Whats next: we will tell rabbonim how much they can charge for saying a hesped at a levayah, tell the mohels how much to charge for brissen. We live in a free society and a free market system. This is not Russia where the government (or chas va'challiah the government) telling the private sector what to charge.
23
Mar 23, 2009 at 09:53 AM they weren't asked Says:
“ As a non-chossid, I am impressed with so many chassidishe personalities that have signed this kol koreh. More litvishe rabbonim must join. ”
In brooklyn, that's who the majority of rabbonim are. Don't make something out of nothing
24
Mar 23, 2009 at 10:22 AM Anonymous Says:
Encouraging manufacturers to sell Passover goods at or below cost is not the answer. This might limit the availability of certain items, and cause a number of manufacturers that make kosher products to avoid making products that are kosher for Pesach. I would also like to see manufacturers of kosher for Passover items start making them earlier in the season. I like to start shopping early for Pesach, but certain items aren't available until soon before Pesach.
If anyone knows of kosher for Pesach vitamins, I would like to hear about it. I hate going 8 days in a row without vitamins.
25
Mar 23, 2009 at 10:51 AM shmiel glassman Says:
2 points
dov & rabbi rappaport good intentions
THE REPORT HAS A SUBTLE FLAW (clarification)
"AS MUCH AS 699"
one must understand that everyone chooses which brand to buy
the salt &sugar from the CRC - is a fundraiser -satmar is not claiming holy salt -
rather than have another shnor campaign this is the pre pesach beis din collection so i feel those items from CRC should not be in the report
in general the "heimishe canned goods & staples are not much more expensive than del monte green giant..
yisroel kedoshim heim
26
Mar 23, 2009 at 10:50 AM Yossi Says:
I buy my kosher lepesach during chol hamoed - much cheaper.
27
Mar 23, 2009 at 10:49 AM just wrong Says:
why all of a sudden is price gouging wrong- this has been going on for years- we've all been feeling the pinch from these crooks for way too long- I can understand making a profit - but getting uber rich while your brethern suffer is not what hashem had in mind for the heilig paesach- we put our trust in the gedolim- they turnd a blind eye because the checks kept coming- now they speakup because all the lipa bashers have no more dough to pay for food- where have the gedolim been all these years when we struggled to pay for paesach? The whole systems wrong!!
28
Mar 23, 2009 at 10:46 AM Anonymous Says:
“ Most of the products yiddinm MUST buy for pesach don't need special hashgacha and regular kashruth certification is sufficient. If you want to be a machmir let the market set the price and don't tell shopkeepers what they must charge. Whats next: we will tell rabbonim how much they can charge for saying a hesped at a levayah, tell the mohels how much to charge for brissen. We live in a free society and a free market system. This is not Russia where the government (or chas va'challiah the government) telling the private sector what to charge. ”
its a free society which means we are entitled to our opinion . u dont like our opinion then dont read it and dont respond. just stay under your rock untill it all blows over.
29
Mar 23, 2009 at 10:59 AM Anonymous Says:
“ Forget getting Rabbonim to sign. How about getting the presidents of Alle, Gefen, Rokeach, Empire, etc. And the grocery supermarkets to sign. We know that kosher costs more, we are all used to that idea. But Pesach items do not have to cost more. Does it actually cost $4 to take Domino or generic sugar and repout it into the "mehadrin Min Hamehadrin min ha holier than thou" kosher bags? Do these owners have any idea how many frum families have absolutely no parnoso and are too ashamed or proud to ask for help? Hundreds, many hundreds. Can't you guys tighten your belts one year and give the consumers a break? By the way, I can BH afford $6.99 sugar and $18.50 matzo so I'm not writing out of bitterness. I'm writing out of concern for Klal Yisroel. ”
What's the "By the way , I can afford" business ? If they are ripping us off, their ripping us all off, and expressing your apologies is unwarranted.
Comments as such are part of the problem not the solution.
30
Mar 23, 2009 at 10:58 AM PMO Says:
My wife and I decided a few years ago to start making Pesach simple. Yes, matzoh is ridiculous, but beyond that what more do you NEED? Stick to fresh fruits, vegetables and chicken. We sliced our budget in half by not buying all of the junk food (horrible cakes/cookies, candies, etc.). We cut our Pesach budget in HALF a few years ago, and we have stuck with it ever since. Yes, it means more work to prepare meals, and yes it means eating the same few things nearly every day (roasted chicken, potatoes, egg salad and tuna fish can become quite boring after a while), but its only for a week.
We found that so much of our budget was eaten up by pre-made frozen foods and and junk that was just not necessary. While it may be nice to have variety, I'm certainly not willing to go into hock for it.... although a bag or two of potato chips can help you FEEL like there is variety. :-)
31
Mar 23, 2009 at 10:42 AM Morris Says:
“ Most of the products yiddinm MUST buy for pesach don't need special hashgacha and regular kashruth certification is sufficient. If you want to be a machmir let the market set the price and don't tell shopkeepers what they must charge. Whats next: we will tell rabbonim how much they can charge for saying a hesped at a levayah, tell the mohels how much to charge for brissen. We live in a free society and a free market system. This is not Russia where the government (or chas va'challiah the government) telling the private sector what to charge. ”
I agree with you! You want to be machmer more than your parents did? PAY FOR IT!
32
Mar 23, 2009 at 10:42 AM Anonymous Says:
“ You guys are all a bunch of hypocrites. When these same rabonim signed against the Lipa concert you were all up in arms about the "chutzpa" of the rabonim. Now they sign something that you like, its wonderful. You can't have it both ways. ”
we arent hypocrites att all . we only have issues with them when they make fools out of us , and sign without actually finding out the facts . here by pesach the facts are pretty clear
33
Mar 23, 2009 at 10:41 AM Anonymous Says:
Its about time they say something about the rent. . Landlords should at least give an apt ready to move as is required by law. .
34
Mar 23, 2009 at 10:40 AM Morris Says:
“ No big deal Reismans is new in the pesach line that's why it's an advertisement for them why don't we hear from companies like Gefen,Oberlanders or Vineland don't you have some rachmunis on the yidden that struggle to make pesach, wake up its not too Late Yet ”
Vineland Just raised there prices last week. Hey! Why not? Rubashkin doesn't have to much stuff this year.
35
Mar 23, 2009 at 11:05 AM robroy560 Says:
“ When a jew charges more than a goy, there is no need to buy from the jews. let economic competition be the kol koreh. ”
Amen brother. I'm sick and tired of hearing that this shop owner is supporting his adult children who have 10 kids and are not working.
36
Mar 23, 2009 at 11:04 AM Ben Says:
If someone could tell me the kosher/halachic difference between the glass bottle of tasters Choice 7oz. that says kosher for pessach and costs 7.99 at KRM or the Gefen /Tasters choice "special run" of the same coffee in the tall plastic 7oz size that costs 12.99, I would like to know. Are we worried that they process the cheaper one while eating their sandwiches so why does it say kosher for pessach on it?
37
Mar 23, 2009 at 11:26 AM Avraham Says:
Oh, please, there are plenty of non-chassidim in Brooklyn. There are yidden outside of Boro Park and Williamsburg, you know. Those are the circles I was referring to, and they're served by plenty of rabbonim who don't wear shtreimlach or spodiks.
38
Mar 23, 2009 at 11:23 AM Anonymous Says:
Dear VIN editor,
Please make a good guy list and a big offender list on the web site of the good and bad companies
39
Mar 23, 2009 at 11:47 AM V'Chai Bahem ? Says:
Stop N Shop - 1009 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY has Kedem 64oz Bottles for 2.99 each.
40
Mar 23, 2009 at 11:44 AM Anonymous Says:
Define good & bad companies. How can you judge? And how can you do such a thing? It may take you some time, but I'm sure you are capable of comparison shopping.
41
Mar 23, 2009 at 12:01 PM Anonymous Says:
“ My wife and I decided a few years ago to start making Pesach simple. Yes, matzoh is ridiculous, but beyond that what more do you NEED? Stick to fresh fruits, vegetables and chicken. We sliced our budget in half by not buying all of the junk food (horrible cakes/cookies, candies, etc.). We cut our Pesach budget in HALF a few years ago, and we have stuck with it ever since. Yes, it means more work to prepare meals, and yes it means eating the same few things nearly every day (roasted chicken, potatoes, egg salad and tuna fish can become quite boring after a while), but its only for a week.
We found that so much of our budget was eaten up by pre-made frozen foods and and junk that was just not necessary. While it may be nice to have variety, I'm certainly not willing to go into hock for it.... although a bag or two of potato chips can help you FEEL like there is variety. :-) ”
Kol Hakovod to you. You save much money and make yom tov more beautiful by not eating all these processed junk foods that are marked up to obscene prices. Just like on shabbos when it is a mitzvah not to make the seduda too elaborate, the same on yom tov...LESS is MORE...Also, its much healthier to eat just matzoh, furits and vegetables for the seder (although its probably OK to have a shankbone on the seder plate even though you won't eat it)....a kosher and vegetarian pesach to you and your lucky mishpacha
42
Mar 23, 2009 at 11:13 AM robroy560 Says:
“ My wife and I decided a few years ago to start making Pesach simple. Yes, matzoh is ridiculous, but beyond that what more do you NEED? Stick to fresh fruits, vegetables and chicken. We sliced our budget in half by not buying all of the junk food (horrible cakes/cookies, candies, etc.). We cut our Pesach budget in HALF a few years ago, and we have stuck with it ever since. Yes, it means more work to prepare meals, and yes it means eating the same few things nearly every day (roasted chicken, potatoes, egg salad and tuna fish can become quite boring after a while), but its only for a week.
We found that so much of our budget was eaten up by pre-made frozen foods and and junk that was just not necessary. While it may be nice to have variety, I'm certainly not willing to go into hock for it.... although a bag or two of potato chips can help you FEEL like there is variety. :-) ”
My wife and I did the same when we got married. We said most of the garbage processed Pesach food is stuff you wouldn't eat during any other 8 day period. You can make your own potato chips in the oven using olive oil and spices. Pure cocoa powder is kosher for Pesach. There are some easy Pesach sponge cake recipes, whcih my wife learned from her grandmother A"H.
We also hold by quinoa, which is a grass that looks like a grain. It's great for those who hold by kiniot. So stuffed peppers and cabbage taste almost like the kitniot rice version. You can saute vegatibles with it too.
We learned how to make spaghetti squash, which gives you options for those addicted to noodle kugel or pasta.
43
Mar 23, 2009 at 12:16 PM Anonymous Says:
WHERE IS KEDEM IN THIS?
44
Mar 23, 2009 at 12:04 PM chai shu Says:
Wew never talk about matzohs...pricing is out of hand the biggest gougers and we are only busy with grocery items it seems all the matzoh bakeries are free from participating..you do not see even one lowering their prices..Why two sided kol Korahs. Reduce to use of matzoh and only for the seuda and the rest eat things that are not expensive potatos..etc.
45
Mar 23, 2009 at 12:33 PM Anonymous Says:
Unbelievable ganovim!
In South Florida (Boca Raton) the price of each loaf of gefilte fish rose by $4-5 a loaf.
Please, the cost of fish did not go up. The kashering costs are minimal.
Where is the extra money going?
The rabbis down here are suddenly mute.
46
Mar 23, 2009 at 12:42 PM DUVIE Says:
the real problem is everyone that touches the product now expects to make money.
by the time we get it its gone thru several hands. but why is matzah 19.00 a pound wheat prices went down and they raised it last year even though they bought it proir to the rise in prices as per chicken and fish they raise it because we need it and its money time for them lastly maybe its time to lower the supervisions prices as well it must be profitable business see how mANY NEW COMPANIES OPEN EACH YEAR
47
Mar 23, 2009 at 01:18 PM PMO Says:
“ Kol Hakovod to you. You save much money and make yom tov more beautiful by not eating all these processed junk foods that are marked up to obscene prices. Just like on shabbos when it is a mitzvah not to make the seduda too elaborate, the same on yom tov...LESS is MORE...Also, its much healthier to eat just matzoh, furits and vegetables for the seder (although its probably OK to have a shankbone on the seder plate even though you won't eat it)....a kosher and vegetarian pesach to you and your lucky mishpacha ”
Thank you, but we are not vegetarians (nothing against it though). If I didn't have a couple of nicely cooked chickens (like only my wife can cook them!) it just wouldn't be the same!
48
Mar 23, 2009 at 01:02 PM sam Says:
Why Only For Pesach They Are Coming Out With Such A Decree i just bought a tuna sandwich at munch n lunch on 13 49 and he charged me 6.25 when i asked why so much his answer was because of the economic crises what a shame
49
Mar 23, 2009 at 01:00 PM Anonymous Says:
The biggest ripoff by far is the Shmurah Matzoh, and not one of these "rabbis" say
or do anything!
$18 a pound is highway robbery, no matter how many "chumros" you apply.
A pound of kosher rye bread is $2 and that includes costs and labor
Where do these guys get off charging 9 times as much for the same amount of Matzah!
And to top it off every year the price goes up.
This is just a scam playing on peoples
desire and fear to do the Mitzvah properly.
50
Mar 23, 2009 at 01:01 PM sam Says:
Why Only For Pesach They Are Coming Out With Such A Decree i just bought a tuna sandwich at munch n lunch on 13 49 and he charged me 6.25 when i asked why so much his answer was because of the economic crises what a shame
51
Mar 23, 2009 at 01:32 PM PMO Says:
“ Unbelievable ganovim!
In South Florida (Boca Raton) the price of each loaf of gefilte fish rose by $4-5 a loaf.
Please, the cost of fish did not go up. The kashering costs are minimal.
Where is the extra money going?
The rabbis down here are suddenly mute.
”
I'm in the same boat! Its amazing living here in FL. I can go into WalMart and buy thousands of items with an OU at such low prices its almost unbelievable. Everything else (which WalMart does not carry any of - meat, fish, chickens, cheese, gefilte fish, etc.) is more than double what you pay in NY and prices keep rising at ridiculous rates. It is worth it for me, during those off-times of year when the airlines are practically giving tickets away, to fly to NY with empty bags and come back with 80 -100 lbs (depends on the airline) of meat. When I can fly for $150 round trip and save $350-$450... it is WELL worth it. Sometimes I'll get my family to come visit just so they load me up too! And yes... I have a BIG freezer just for this purpose! :-)
Just to give you a quick idea of what we pay here (maybe you'll feel better):
- Chicken tops (on the bone) $7.49/lb ($3.29 at SuperSol a couple of weeks ago)
- Chicken tops (boneless) $8.99/lb ($3.79 at SuperSol a couple of weeks ago)
- Chicken Leg Quarters $4.99/lb
- Briskett (1st Cut) - $18.99/lb
- Ground Chuck - $8.99/lb
Oh yeah... I almost forgot.... Matzoh (shmurah) has been $20-$25/lb for 10 years here... :-)
52
Mar 23, 2009 at 01:52 PM Anonymous Says:
“ Free matzah ?? you must have had your arba kosos already. ”
The poster was referring to the free 5-lb box of matza when you spend $50 or $75 at Shoprite. This is machine matza, Yehuda, Osem, or Shoprite brand. If you don't eat this matza on pesach, you can use it afterwards or donate it to a food pantry. In addition, if you spend $300 at Shoprite by April 2nd, you can get a free Empire turkey or turkey breast.
53
Mar 23, 2009 at 02:06 PM Anonymous Says:
Why do fish prices go sky high before pesach.
54
Mar 23, 2009 at 02:14 PM nj-er Says:
can anyone explain to me how the co-op in jackson can charge 20 bux a pound on shatzer matzohs? can anyone explain to me how westgate kosher can charge almost 14 dollars for a pound of machine matzoh? THIS MUST STOP.! We should do like rabbi heineman did years ago with esrogim . when the sellers were taking atvantage he came out with a psak of only one or two esrogim per shul and its to be shared
55
Mar 23, 2009 at 02:09 PM Anonymous Says:
looks like the only way to get satmar and agudah to side together is when it hits there pocket
56
Mar 23, 2009 at 04:02 PM Anonymous Says:
Many of these Rabbis have so diluted the use of a kol koreh, will anyone pay attention to this one?
57
Mar 23, 2009 at 03:57 PM machine matzah can also be shmurah matza Says:
"The biggest ripoff by far is the Shmurah Matzoh".
FYI, shmuroh matza is not necessarily hand matza. Machine matza can be shmura too, and is much cheaper. In fact gedolei olam, such as Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach zt"l held that machine matza is actually more kosher and mehudar and ate it by the seder for matzos mitzvoh.
58
Mar 23, 2009 at 04:12 PM Anonymous Says:
“ "The biggest ripoff by far is the Shmurah Matzoh".
FYI, shmuroh matza is not necessarily hand matza. Machine matza can be shmura too, and is much cheaper. In fact gedolei olam, such as Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach zt"l held that machine matza is actually more kosher and mehudar and ate it by the seder for matzos mitzvoh. ”
Agreed...many gadolim hold that either machine schmura or even regular matzah are OK for even the most frumme yidden; this mishagas about hand made schmura matzoh is just another scam to rip off yidden before yom tov
59
Mar 23, 2009 at 04:23 PM Anonymous Says:
“ I'm in the same boat! Its amazing living here in FL. I can go into WalMart and buy thousands of items with an OU at such low prices its almost unbelievable. Everything else (which WalMart does not carry any of - meat, fish, chickens, cheese, gefilte fish, etc.) is more than double what you pay in NY and prices keep rising at ridiculous rates. It is worth it for me, during those off-times of year when the airlines are practically giving tickets away, to fly to NY with empty bags and come back with 80 -100 lbs (depends on the airline) of meat. When I can fly for $150 round trip and save $350-$450... it is WELL worth it. Sometimes I'll get my family to come visit just so they load me up too! And yes... I have a BIG freezer just for this purpose! :-)
Just to give you a quick idea of what we pay here (maybe you'll feel better):
- Chicken tops (on the bone) $7.49/lb ($3.29 at SuperSol a couple of weeks ago)
- Chicken tops (boneless) $8.99/lb ($3.79 at SuperSol a couple of weeks ago)
- Chicken Leg Quarters $4.99/lb
- Briskett (1st Cut) - $18.99/lb
- Ground Chuck - $8.99/lb
Oh yeah... I almost forgot.... Matzoh (shmurah) has been $20-$25/lb for 10 years here... :-) ”
Become a vegan, it's healthier.
60
Mar 23, 2009 at 04:20 PM ez Says:
I think these rabbonim should make the rounds and publicize which stores are
sticking to the kol korei. Why did chicken go up so hi.
61
Mar 23, 2009 at 04:19 PM Anonymous Says:
Forget High Prices in NY, try living in Miami Beach, where there is only 1 read one Kohser store. One needs a bank loan or third job to pay the prices. Hand Shmura is $22 a pound, meat & poultry prices are in the stratosphere. And Pesach baked products are untouchable. $9 & $10 for a box of stale cookies baked months ago. .
62
Mar 23, 2009 at 05:07 PM Anonymous Says:
about time!now what about the other 357 days of the year?!
63
Mar 23, 2009 at 05:01 PM seen it all Says:
“ If someone could tell me the kosher/halachic difference between the glass bottle of tasters Choice 7oz. that says kosher for pessach and costs 7.99 at KRM or the Gefen /Tasters choice "special run" of the same coffee in the tall plastic 7oz size that costs 12.99, I would like to know. Are we worried that they process the cheaper one while eating their sandwiches so why does it say kosher for pessach on it? ”
there is no difference and moreover, the tasters choice is probably more mehudar. The bigger the manufacturer, the more probable is that they use the line to manufacture this one product only and thus eliminates kashering the line. The same is for tropicana OJ, it is more mehudar than square, mehadrin or any other OJ you see, and u can get it cheaper at shoprite, costco, etc. Sugar and salt repackaged is pure geneiva, I use dominoes and mortons. In my house we have a rule, if the packagin has hebrew letters on it, it's guilty of being less kosher until proven innocent. This is not stam meshugas, I've worked in kashrus and get lots of inside info. These companies are pulling wool over the frum consurmer's eyes, and it's about time we called them out on it.
About your coffee question, if it says OU-P it is fine. Many choshuver rabbonim say that these stickers they put on products with hechsherim are worthless. Check out the difference between olive oil from costco and gefen olive oil. It is outrageous. And then the ultimate is this new worm religion with the lettuce. Do what your mother did, wash your lettuce, soak it in salt water and then check it.
64
Mar 23, 2009 at 05:51 PM Anonymous Says:
“ there is no difference and moreover, the tasters choice is probably more mehudar. The bigger the manufacturer, the more probable is that they use the line to manufacture this one product only and thus eliminates kashering the line. The same is for tropicana OJ, it is more mehudar than square, mehadrin or any other OJ you see, and u can get it cheaper at shoprite, costco, etc. Sugar and salt repackaged is pure geneiva, I use dominoes and mortons. In my house we have a rule, if the packagin has hebrew letters on it, it's guilty of being less kosher until proven innocent. This is not stam meshugas, I've worked in kashrus and get lots of inside info. These companies are pulling wool over the frum consurmer's eyes, and it's about time we called them out on it.
About your coffee question, if it says OU-P it is fine. Many choshuver rabbonim say that these stickers they put on products with hechsherim are worthless. Check out the difference between olive oil from costco and gefen olive oil. It is outrageous. And then the ultimate is this new worm religion with the lettuce. Do what your mother did, wash your lettuce, soak it in salt water and then check it. ”
you said it the way it is. years ago i bought a mehadrin kosher for passover coffee
paid triple the amount. when the label datatched from the can it was maxwellhouse.
I think all these company should say vidui after pesach.
65
Mar 23, 2009 at 05:16 PM Anonymous Says:
A soup kitchen taking on all the big companies that’s guts
Lets everybody call on GEFEN-KEDEM & MEAL-MART and LIEBER’S pledge to keep their prices
66
Mar 23, 2009 at 05:11 PM Anonymous Says:
Thank you Masbia, now when I’ll buy cheaper food for Passover I will feel like I am eating at MASBIA
67
Mar 23, 2009 at 07:47 PM Anonymous Says:
you Need enf0rCement by the hashgach0s LIke a vadd
68
Mar 23, 2009 at 07:45 PM Anonymous Says:
“ Thank you Masbia, now when I’ll buy cheaper food for Passover I will feel like I am eating at MASBIA ”
good idea all the money i will save I'll send to MASBIA
69
Mar 23, 2009 at 07:30 PM Anonymous Says:
"Become a vegan, it's healthier."
It's hard enough being a vegetarian Ashkenazi on Pesach. What do vegan Ashkenazis eat on Pesach? Do they live on matzoh, nuts and vegetables?
Much of my diet is typically kitniyos. At least I eat eggs, and dairy.
70
Mar 23, 2009 at 06:49 PM Kruma Litvak Says:
this all sounds very liberal to me, how do we know how much it costs for the distributor, so that we could say he's overcharging???
71
Mar 23, 2009 at 08:36 PM They Are Hiding Says:
“ WHERE IS KEDEM IN THIS? ”
Gefen and Kedem are hiding they are nowhere to be found on this subject, they are busy making sure all their products are 50 cents more than Lieber's
72
Mar 23, 2009 at 08:33 PM grocery man Says:
Hi there, I am one of the guys you usually point your anger at.
the reason that pesach the prices are higher has nothing to do with the store owners. we just put up a regular 30% markup on all products to cover the cost of operating a business and to make a decent living. we don't put a bigger markup even though the pesach season cost us so much more with extra employees, renting trailers and warehouses, working 18 hour shifts etc.
here is the real reason:
for pesach we all used washed eggs with no labeling on the egg shell. the farm needs to change their production line for a couple of hours and they add another .15 cents per dozen. comes the special pesach mashgiach and adds another .25 cents per dozen. the same goes for the tasters choice coffee. they literally stopped their regular production for 2 hours and made a special batch under the eyes of the volover mashgiach. tasters choice charges, the volover charges and beleivev it or not, the ou also charges another 10 cents for each label.
whats interesting though is that of the thirty or so rabonim that have signed the kol koreh we don't see even one ruv that is also a baal machshir!
73
Mar 23, 2009 at 08:23 PM Anonymous Says:
“ We don't have anything processed at Pesach, just sugar (which we boil for sugar water to flavor the fish & squeezed OJ) & oil because shmaltz is dangerous for me. But I think this is fantastic & long overdue. The fruit & veg stores should do the same. And fish...what I pay is ridiculous!
to #12, when the Rabbonim asured concerts etc, that was frivolous. You're mixing apples & oranges here. These are 2 separate concepts & this affects many families, as Chaim S. says. BTW, I wish our matza only cost $18.50 a lb! ”
TO #16
a chasidesher guy who dosnt eat anything processed on pesach shouldn't be frivolous with rabbunim assuring lipa
for all of u crying out here, u all have the choice to buy the not "heimesher" companies so why are u guys so bitter?
p.s.check with your doctor again about shmaltz , today its believed to be much healthier then most of the oils out there specially when heated up (which makes them trans fats)
74
Mar 23, 2009 at 08:08 PM Anonymous Says:
“ We don't have anything processed at Pesach, just sugar (which we boil for sugar water to flavor the fish & squeezed OJ) & oil because shmaltz is dangerous for me. But I think this is fantastic & long overdue. The fruit & veg stores should do the same. And fish...what I pay is ridiculous!
to #12, when the Rabbonim asured concerts etc, that was frivolous. You're mixing apples & oranges here. These are 2 separate concepts & this affects many families, as Chaim S. says. BTW, I wish our matza only cost $18.50 a lb! ”
TO #16
a chasidesher guy who dosnt eat anything processed on pesach shouldn't be frivolous with rabbunim assuring lipa
for all of u crying out here, u all have the choice to buy the not "heimesher" companies so why are u guys so bitter?
p.s.check with your doctor again about shmaltz , today its believed to be much healthier then most of the oils out there specially when heated up (which makes them trans fats)
76
Mar 24, 2009 at 02:19 AM Milhouse Says:
“ Become a vegan, it's healthier. ”
And unJewish.
77
Mar 24, 2009 at 02:19 AM Milhouse Says:
“ Agreed...many gadolim hold that either machine schmura or even regular matzah are OK for even the most frumme yidden; this mishagas about hand made schmura matzoh is just another scam to rip off yidden before yom tov ”
So the Divrei Chayim, and all the rabbonim who pasken like him, are meshugo'im by you?
And what rabbi says regular matzoh (not shmurah) is OK "for even the most frumme yidden"? Another of your made-up "gadolim"? The Grintzianer Rov? Or Rav Zaidenpletzel?
78
Mar 24, 2009 at 02:16 AM Milhouse Says:
“ "The biggest ripoff by far is the Shmurah Matzoh".
FYI, shmuroh matza is not necessarily hand matza. Machine matza can be shmura too, and is much cheaper. In fact gedolei olam, such as Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach zt"l held that machine matza is actually more kosher and mehudar and ate it by the seder for matzos mitzvoh. ”
But the Divrei Chayim paskened that machine matzos may not be eaten on Pesach.
79
Mar 24, 2009 at 02:15 AM Milhouse Says:
“ Why do fish prices go sky high before pesach. ”
Because demand goes sky high, and the supply doesn't go up. There aren't more fish in the sea around Pesach time, but everyone wants. Plus goyim, especially Greeks, Italians, etc., want fish for Easter. So naturally the price goes up.
80
Mar 24, 2009 at 02:13 AM Milhouse Says:
“ The biggest ripoff by far is the Shmurah Matzoh, and not one of these "rabbis" say
or do anything!
$18 a pound is highway robbery, no matter how many "chumros" you apply.
A pound of kosher rye bread is $2 and that includes costs and labor
Where do these guys get off charging 9 times as much for the same amount of Matzah!
And to top it off every year the price goes up.
This is just a scam playing on peoples
desire and fear to do the Mitzvah properly. ”
You try making it for less.
81
Mar 24, 2009 at 02:12 AM Milhouse Says:
“ Kol Hakovod to you. You save much money and make yom tov more beautiful by not eating all these processed junk foods that are marked up to obscene prices. Just like on shabbos when it is a mitzvah not to make the seduda too elaborate, the same on yom tov...LESS is MORE...Also, its much healthier to eat just matzoh, furits and vegetables for the seder (although its probably OK to have a shankbone on the seder plate even though you won't eat it)....a kosher and vegetarian pesach to you and your lucky mishpacha ”
Good grief. Where did you find that "on shabbos .. it is a mitzvah not to make the seduda too elaborate"? And a vegetarian yomtov?!!!! Meat on yomtov is definitely a mitzvah. Ein simcho elo bevosor. And of course we expect to eat the korban pesach this year, which is an absolute obligation. You can take your vegetarianism and shove it.
82
Mar 24, 2009 at 02:09 AM Milhouse Says:
“ If someone could tell me the kosher/halachic difference between the glass bottle of tasters Choice 7oz. that says kosher for pessach and costs 7.99 at KRM or the Gefen /Tasters choice "special run" of the same coffee in the tall plastic 7oz size that costs 12.99, I would like to know. Are we worried that they process the cheaper one while eating their sandwiches so why does it say kosher for pessach on it? ”
Until a few years ago, unflavoured instant coffee didn't need a hechsher at all, either for Pesach or the rest of the year. You could just buy a new sealed package, and use it on Pesach. Helft der oibershter, that a few years ago some manufacturers started adding maltodextrin to instant coffee; there are no kashrus shaylos about maltodextrin, but it can be chometz. So now instant coffee needs a hechsher for Pesach.
Still, I doubt there's any difference between the two brands that you mention. The only question is whether it contains maltodextrin or not, and the $7.99 bottle answers that question just as well as the $12.99 one!
83
Mar 24, 2009 at 01:58 AM Kidney Donor from Boro Park Says:
Yosher Koach to all the Rabbonim and to Dov Hikind - a hero!
Chaya Lipschutz
84
Mar 24, 2009 at 12:44 AM norman Says:
“ WHERE IS KEDEM IN THIS? ”
ripping us off like they do the rest of the yr
85
Mar 24, 2009 at 08:49 AM PMO Says:
It is not the store owners fault. If you are going to be more machmir about certain products during pesach then you have to be willing to pay the price for it. If the OU says a $3.00 can of a particular coffee is good without a 'P' on it, that is good enough for me. I don't need to go buy the $10 can of coffee. If you want a particular rav hamchshir to stamp his seal... you have to be willing to pay for it.
It stinks, but there is not enough volume of sales to spread those costs around to enough people. Ive seen products with 4 different kashrus organizations stamp on it. All reliable and widely accepeted... so why 4? Why do I have to pay 20-30% more? The OU was good enough for me... but I have to pay extra so the Rav of Forty-whatever Street can be paid $20,000 for his approval? A complete racket!
86
Mar 24, 2009 at 01:11 PM Charlie Hall Says:
“ It is not the store owners fault. If you are going to be more machmir about certain products during pesach then you have to be willing to pay the price for it. If the OU says a $3.00 can of a particular coffee is good without a 'P' on it, that is good enough for me. I don't need to go buy the $10 can of coffee. If you want a particular rav hamchshir to stamp his seal... you have to be willing to pay for it.
It stinks, but there is not enough volume of sales to spread those costs around to enough people. Ive seen products with 4 different kashrus organizations stamp on it. All reliable and widely accepeted... so why 4? Why do I have to pay 20-30% more? The OU was good enough for me... but I have to pay extra so the Rav of Forty-whatever Street can be paid $20,000 for his approval? A complete racket! ”
The Rabbinical Council of America spoke out on this issue a dozen years ago:
http://www.rabbis.org/news/article.cfm?id=100585
87
Mar 24, 2009 at 01:08 PM Charlie Hall Says:
“ It is not the store owners fault. If you are going to be more machmir about certain products during pesach then you have to be willing to pay the price for it. If the OU says a $3.00 can of a particular coffee is good without a 'P' on it, that is good enough for me. I don't need to go buy the $10 can of coffee. If you want a particular rav hamchshir to stamp his seal... you have to be willing to pay for it.
It stinks, but there is not enough volume of sales to spread those costs around to enough people. Ive seen products with 4 different kashrus organizations stamp on it. All reliable and widely accepeted... so why 4? Why do I have to pay 20-30% more? The OU was good enough for me... but I have to pay extra so the Rav of Forty-whatever Street can be paid $20,000 for his approval? A complete racket! ”
I have a bottle of a particular spice -- which according to Rabbi Eidlitz who runs kosherquest.com, doesn't need a hechsher at all -- that has *five* hechsherim. I thought that the testimony of a single witness sufficed for kashrut. Did I miss something?
88
Mar 24, 2009 at 02:51 PM PMO Says:
“ I have a bottle of a particular spice -- which according to Rabbi Eidlitz who runs kosherquest.com, doesn't need a hechsher at all -- that has *five* hechsherim. I thought that the testimony of a single witness sufficed for kashrut. Did I miss something? ”
No... you missed nothing... but the poor company that is paying for all of those hechsherim should be informed that they are being taken for a ride. One reliable hashgacha (OU, OK, STAR-K, KOF-K, etc) will suffice for 99.999% of their potential customers. Anyone who is so fearful that he will only use spices with a hashgacha from some rav that nobody has ever heard of unless they live on that particular block in Boro Park should be growing their own herbs and spices anyway. It just makes the items more expensive for the rest of us and hurts the manufacturer's business.
89
Mar 24, 2009 at 06:26 PM Ahem Says:
“ Hi there, I am one of the guys you usually point your anger at.
the reason that pesach the prices are higher has nothing to do with the store owners. we just put up a regular 30% markup on all products to cover the cost of operating a business and to make a decent living. we don't put a bigger markup even though the pesach season cost us so much more with extra employees, renting trailers and warehouses, working 18 hour shifts etc.
here is the real reason:
for pesach we all used washed eggs with no labeling on the egg shell. the farm needs to change their production line for a couple of hours and they add another .15 cents per dozen. comes the special pesach mashgiach and adds another .25 cents per dozen. the same goes for the tasters choice coffee. they literally stopped their regular production for 2 hours and made a special batch under the eyes of the volover mashgiach. tasters choice charges, the volover charges and beleivev it or not, the ou also charges another 10 cents for each label.
whats interesting though is that of the thirty or so rabonim that have signed the kol koreh we don't see even one ruv that is also a baal machshir! ”
I don't buy it. I know what mashgichim are paid and I know what their routine is. The markup is WAY more than need be, with all the pesach production stuff. Why do only some need to 'stop the process' while other, just as kosher for pesach, don't need to stop production?
90
Mar 24, 2009 at 06:25 PM Ahem Says:
“ Thank you Masbia, now when I’ll buy cheaper food for Passover I will feel like I am eating at MASBIA ”
You're being serious?
91
Mar 24, 2009 at 06:19 PM Ahem Says:
“ Encouraging manufacturers to sell Passover goods at or below cost is not the answer. This might limit the availability of certain items, and cause a number of manufacturers that make kosher products to avoid making products that are kosher for Pesach. I would also like to see manufacturers of kosher for Passover items start making them earlier in the season. I like to start shopping early for Pesach, but certain items aren't available until soon before Pesach.
If anyone knows of kosher for Pesach vitamins, I would like to hear about it. I hate going 8 days in a row without vitamins. ”
Their prices are not even touching the below cost line. Why do you think it costs them that much more than the cheaper brands? They are ripping off the population that thinks it's mehudar to buy the better hechsher.
92
Mar 24, 2009 at 06:14 PM Library Lover Says:
I have been shopping for 2 wks now, so let me add my 2 cents(no pun intended).
1. Shoprite in Monsey has the Kedem plastic 64 oz at 2.99, so does Pathmark.
2. You need to go to EVERY grocery to catch all the sales, but I have been..why is SELTZER 89 cents a bottle when I used to buy Vintage for 4 dollars a case???
3. Why have candles gone up to 6.19 a box?? Since when do they change the manufacturing on this item??
4. An unopened Folgers/Tasters Choice according to R'Blumencrantz, A'H, who is the premier authority on Pesach, is fine..so is unopened Hersheys pure. These do NOT need special Hashgocho, and I just paid around $5 for the coffee in Shoprite.
Good Luck, and unfortunately, this Kol Koreh will not really help us, at least not in my opinion...
93
Mar 31, 2009 at 11:59 PM Anonymous Says:
to #50, your name is not sam because you are a girl, and second of all describe the readers that you took a Tuna baguette that is in every jewish store this price, and to the response , it was said in a humorous way while being attacked by you for the charge.
94
Apr 06, 2009 at 08:40 AM Anonymous Says:
“ When a jew charges more than a goy, there is no need to buy from the jews. let economic competition be the kol koreh. ”
Why the need to use disrespectful terms to get a point across. It only diminishes the message and takes away credibility.