Q&A: Kosher Restaurant
Kosher Restaurant
Question
In Israel there is a somewhat strange phenomenon: a restaurant tells me, “Everything is kosher, but we’re open on the Sabbath.” Is it permitted to eat there or not? Meat, or only dairy?
Answer
In principle, it is permitted to eat in a kosher restaurant that is open on the Sabbath. But it is hard to accept the testimony of the restaurant owner that everything there is kosher, especially when he himself does not observe the Sabbath. After all, they would not have a kashrut certificate if they do not observe the Sabbath. If you find such a business with a kashrut certificate, then you can eat there. I do not see why there should be any difference between a meat restaurant and a dairy one.
Discussion on Answer
Rabbi, you didn’t answer!
In my view, that is an unreasonable opinion. And of course many disagree with the Magen Avraham (as brought there in the Mishnah Berurah).
“In principle, it is permitted”—and there is no need to be concerned for the view of the Magen Avraham regarding utensils that were used for cooking on the Sabbath?