By COLlive reporter
Rabbi Chaim Meir Wagschal of Monsey who heads the Vaad Hakshrus supervision of the Skverer Beis Din, has investigated the kashrus of the strings used for wrapping the matzah boxes.
In an article this month in the Bishde Hakashrus publication, he wrote that he has been in touch with the manufacturers of these strings and were “surprised to hear from the owner that the same factory also makes a type of string which is covered with flour.”
He said the string named “polished twine” is first dipped in water and then flour. Later, a large fan blows the flour so the flour is glued to the string. It is then placed in an oven where it dries.
Calling it “chometz’dike” string, Rabbi Wagschal said that “it is quite possible that flour crumbs can, at times, stick to the regular varieties of string,” like the ones used in matzah bakeries.
He therefore recommended that those who received their matzos tied with a string, should carefully removed it so it does not touch the table or any other surfaces.
Rabbi Wagschal added that those who wish to rinse their hands after touching the string should not do so in a sink used for Kosher for Pesach dishes.
He stated that matzos from the bakeries Oneg Skverer and Kehillah Boro Park have tracked the source of the strings they use.
Rabbi Avrohom Osdoba, member of the Crown Heights Beis Din who heads the CHK supervision with Rabbi Shlomo Segal, was not available for comment on this matter.
The only worry these two have is that they be paid for their Hechsher. Nothing else concerns them
My matza from albany bakery had no strings attached. In boxes and taped. I’m so lucky and behudar and blessed.
Why don’t we hear a statement from CHK?
What about the price of esrogim – at over $100 a piece?! And speaking of string, how about the price for tzitiz which are basically strings – why the high price?! Because other fellow yidden need to earn a living. Live and let live!
9: its Kosher.
13: if a bakery that baked too much decides to sell at 10$ a pound as to cut their losses does not mean shmurah matzoh is not expensive to produce. it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to do the math of the great labor expense to produce Matzoh. and the owner also has to feed his family after all the expenses, he doesn’t have to give it for cost…
go#3
so are the Matzos that were warped and are touching the paper stained by the strings – are they kosher le-mehadrin?
The string that leaves marks are not the chametz strings. They were checked out by the rabbis and a short investigation revealed that the stains are residue of some synthetic ingredient. Since people were worried about this string, the bakeries switched to the ‘dry’ possibly chametz string. I heard that someone who asked Rabbi Osdoba was told to cut the string with a new knife and make sure the string doesn’t drop on the table.
yes the string, paper wrapping and the boxes need checking…a long time before Pesach so the there is no last minute panic or confusion.
There also needs to be an investigation why Shemura Matzos are so expensive.
I heard that one over stocked bakery was trying to off load matzos at $10.00 per lb a day or so before Yom Tov, this allow us to understand the potential large initial profit margins.
If people threatened t o buy matzos purely for the mitzvos at the sedorim , I guarantee the prices would fall instantly.
how can someone make such a statement right b4 yom tov???.
IF YOU WILL INSPECT THE PAPER VERY CAREFULLY, YOU WILL REALIZE THAT THE STAINS ARE NOT FROM THE STRING, IT IS FROM THE PAPER ITSELF.
The strings used in CH are different than the ones in the picture.Someone please clarify which strings the article is about.
are the matzos is answer yet???!!!!!! is it ok or not?
Maybe the box in which the matzas are packed and the paper that wraps the matzos should also be checked?
I have these matzos. The paper was stained by the string (as you can see in the picture), is there a problem with these matzos?
Chk is not owned by the 2 people mentioned in the article. Therefore, let it be known that since its a stolen hechsher, they have no siyato dishmayo, and as a result, one can not trust the kashrus of those products. This article comes as no surprise whatsoever.
Member of vaad hakashrus of crown heights.
Huh?
What about my shoe laces?
Inspired when pple publicize these things! Shkoach Rabbanim for taking care of us!
That’s crazy! I’m glad I caught that before pesach……it was just in the nick of time! But are you sure all the details are accurate?
But hey you gotta hear what the rabbi says
I’m so proud of this Rabbi from monsey with coming out with the truth.
Where is the CHK?
People paid extra for mehudar Matzah, and this is what they get?