[Avodah] More on Worms in Fish

[Prof. Levine]

In response to the message below from  Yechiel Spira of 
http://www.jerusalemkoshernews.com/

Yechiel Spira [ mailto:jerusalemkn at gmail.com]

One expert who has been issuing documents about worm infestation in fish is
Rabbi Moshe Vaya of Jerusalem. I suggest before you run to discredit such
information, you probe the matter in greater depth.

The same can be said for the Jerusalem-based Eida Chareidit, which has been
speaking of the 'fish problem' for some time. This is not new news, perhaps
in N. America it is, but not in Israel.

You do not providing a service to your readers by seeking to discount the
legitimacy of the concerns in my opinion, but that is just my outlook and I
respect your option to disagree.

There are more than a few mashgichim with whom I am in regular contact who
have confirmed the presence of the worms, and I have even seen them, quite
visible to the eye once one learns how to inspect. Yes, it does depend on
the source of the fish in many cases, but one cannot make a general
statement that there is no problem.

I also remind you that the audio presentation that you offer on behalf of
Rav Belsky Shlita is a year old. Much has changed in the past year as well.

Respectfully,
Yechiel Spira
Jerusalem Kosher News

I replied,

For the record, Rav Yisroel Belsky confirmed his psak on this matter 
a few days ago.  So, while it is true that the audio presentation is 
a year old, his psak remains the same today as it was a year ago.

BTW, what are the changes that have occurred "in the past year'?

YL

Mr. Spira replied,

Thanks for the update regarding R' Belsky. This is important.

Here in the Holy Land however, as I wrote, the Eida and R' Vaya stand 
firm on the need for inspection.

Once again, the source of the fish is a major factor. Therefore what 
is true in Israel may not hold true in the USA and visa versa.

Yechiel

I in turn sent Mr. Spira the following:

Your statement, "Therefore what is true in Israel may not hold true 
in the USA and visa versa." is important to keep in mind.  IMO, those 
who reside in the US should be relying upon pesakim from US rabbonim.

However,  the document you referred people to at 
http://www.jerusalemkoshernews.com/wp-content/uploads/mehadrinanisakis.pdf 
is not only not signed, but relies on Israeli rabbonim and makes no 
mention of the fact that what these Israeli rabbonim have said may 
not apply here in the US.   Nonetheless, you wrote at 
http://www.jerusalemkoshernews.com/

This 
<http://www.jerusalemkoshernews.com/wp-content/uploads/mehadrinanisakis.pdf>link 
will take you to the document provided by Chevra Mehadrin in the USA 
regarding infestation in fish, quoting rabbonim in Israel. The names 
of the fish, place of origin and type of infestation, in the case of 
this chart, Anisakis.

It seems to me that in the public interest it would be wise for you 
to update this statement in light of what I have sent out and also in 
light of your statement, "Therefore what is true in Israel may not 
hold true in the USA and visa versa."  Not to do so, seems to me to 
be misleading people in the US.

And finally, what are the names of the people behind Chevra Mehadrin. 
Someone did a search in Monsey and came up only with a PO box!

YL


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