Q&A: Working on Passover in a Place that Sells Leavened Food
Working on Passover in a Place that Sells Leavened Food
Question
Hello Rabbi Michi,
Thank you for the enlightening website and for your dedication to answering both small and big questions.
Unfortunately, I work in a place that serves food that is completely non-kosher and serves non-kosher meat. It is clear to me that this situation is far from ideal, but for the time being there is currently no other choice. As Passover approaches, it suddenly occurred to me to worry that perhaps Passover is different—emotionally there is certainly a difference, but I am not sure whether there is a halakhic difference. What do you think about this?
Thank you and all the best,
David
Answer
I didn’t understand the question. Leavened food is a prohibition like any other prohibition.
Discussion on Answer
Why are you asking about leavened food if you sell prohibited items all year round?
Apparently it’s an emotional issue.
So basically I’ll ask about the other prohibitions too. If one works in a place where the clientele is secular and in any case eats prohibited foods, is there a halakhic prohibition in selling the prohibited item?
In principle, yes. At the very least it is assisting, if not “do not place a stumbling block.” If you knew for certain that all the customers were coerced by their mindset, then perhaps there would be room to be lenient. There is probably also a prohibition against earning money from a prohibited item.
Okay, thank you!
The question is whether it is permitted to work in a place that sells leavened food. For example, to be a cashier in a supermarket that sells leavened food.