Yiras Shamayim: Hashgacha’s Vital Ingredient

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By: Rabbi Eliyahu W. Ferrell

The shock of the Monsey kashrus episode of 2006 is a shock that will not soon leave us.

The question that each of us in hashgachah has to ask of himself is: what must I learn from it?

In order to give us immeasurable assistance in this endeavor, the recent AK(Association of Kashrus Organizations) conference asked one of the most inspiring and influential speakers in contemporary Jewish life to address the representatives of the kashrus agencies from around the globe who were in attendance. HaGaon Rav Matisyahu Solomon, Shlita, Mashgiach Ruchani of Beis Medrash Govoha-Lakewood, spoke on the topic of what we must learn from the Monsey debacle. What follows IY”H are highlights of Rav Solomon’s address.

We have to take advantage of what Hashem has recently shown us. We must use the Monsey episode as a vehicle for growth.

Why would Hashem shake our confidence in kosher supervision? Because we have been guilty of over-confidence: we have been saying, “We are the experts; we’re the most efficient.” We need to re-orient our attitudinal and emotional posture.

The real hallmark of quality kashrus supervision is that the rav hamachshir and the mashgiach tremble with fear, a fear that leads them to feel that they can’t check enough. This is an outgrowth of Yiras Shamayim. One who has Yiras Shamayim will tremble and be afraid that he shouldn’t commit a sin or cause anyone else to sin. No less than Rav Yechezkel Abramsky, Zatzal, davened—with tears in his eyes, while prostrated during the recitation of yhe Avodah, on the holiest day of
the year—for the kashrus of his Pesach matzos!

The Ramban explains that Adam HaRishon’s sin was taking for granted
that the fruit offered by Chava was a permissible fruit. In truth, he should
have been trembling and fearful that it was the forbidden fruit, and he should have asked her, “From which tree did this come?” He should not have assumed that the very eizer, sent by no less than Hashem Himself, was giving him something kosher to eat!

Without Yiras Shamayim, a man is not a mashgiach, even if he knows all of Yoreh Deah (although, of course, one must know the halachos!). Yiras Shamayim is no mere ma’alah for a mashgiach: it is the vital ingredient. Indeed, kashrus organizations are the elite of Klal Yisroel because they represent the Yiras Shamayim of Klal Yisroel.

A shochet once came to Rav Yisroel Salanter and said he had to change his trade because the responsibility for communal kashrus was becoming too much for him to bear. Rav Yisroel responded, “Who should be a shochet: someone without morah?!?”

Safeguards are required for spiritual matters. One who has Yiras
Shamayim will feel the need for safeguards so that he can ensure as much as possible that no sin will occur. Avraham Avinu employed shevuos (oaths) as safeguards: once, when he made Eliezer swear regarding the marriage arrangements for Yitzchok Avinu and once, when he himself swore not to benefit from the plunder of the war of the four against the five (in order to be Mekadeish Shem Shamayim by not benefiting from it). He did not view his trust in his servant or himself as sufficient; there had to be an oath, as well. Safeguards!

The mitzvah of Yiras Shamyim means that one must bring oneself
to feel Yiras Shamayim. This is what Yocheved and Miriam did in
Mitzrayim in order to develop the fortitude to disobey Pharaoh.
Mashgichim must learn Musar to foster the growth of their own
Yiras Shamayim. They must devise ways to be mechazeik one
another in Yiras Shamayim.

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