Yesterday, Jewschool decided to bring up an old article about the Conservative Movement’s policy on eating hot dairy, after a survey of clergy found that 80% eat warmed fish in non-kosher restaurants.
The comments that followed were, generally, the same arguments that have been brought up before. It soon came to question of whether or not a change would be simply, “on behalf of a hankering for The Olive Garden or Papa John’s,” or any restaurant for that matter. (MORE)
However, I did like the clever response from one reader:
To my knowledge, they don’t serve warmed fish at Papa John’s, not counting anchovies, and I think it would be filthy and gross if they did, and I would like to believe that even people who did not keep kosher, Jewish or otherwise, would never eat the “warmed fish dinner� from Papa John’s.
But the Olive Garden is a different story. When you’re there, you’re family, and I think that the importance that Judaism places on family would mitigate any potential halachic issues in that regard.
Also, unlimited breadsticks. All religions should support this, no matter what. In fact, the Conservative rabbinate should be writing teshuvot that demand an increase in the portions at the Olive Garden. These days, they’ll only give you one at a time. Unacceptable!
In all seriousness, this got me thinking. It’s quite possible that more Jews, Conservative or not, would be affected by a teshuvah on Olive Garden’s breadsticks than one on hot dairy. What does that say about kashrut in our society today?
halachic
Pronounced: huh-LAKH-ic, Origin: Hebrew, according to Jewish law, complying with Jewish law.
kashrut
Pronounced: kahsh-ROOT, Origin: Hebrew, the Jewish dietary laws.
