IDF Chief Rabbi responds to criticisms about female mashgichot

There is an important clarification regarding the recent news of the IDF now intending to begin drafting women into the roles of mashgichot kashrut for IDF kitchens..

The Chief Rabbi of the IDF, Rav Eyal Krim, has clarified what is happening.

I will sum up his words rather than translate the entire post - it is too long for that, but you can read the original below..

Rav Krim says that the original notice in the news was inaccurate. The IDF is not being forced or pressured to take women in as mashgichot. He himself made this decision 5 years ago in his previous role. It was not acted upon at the time, but the IDF Rabbinate's position has not changed since then.
1. There is no problem for women to serve as mashgichot kashrut. The first Tosfot in Chulin, today's portion in the Daf Yomi cycle, says there is no difference between men and women regarding the "neemanus", trustworthiness, regarding kashrut.
2. The IDF has a shortage of kashrut supervisors. It is not a popular position in the army and only religious soldiers can work in it.
3. In recent years, the IDF has been privatizing some kitchens, specifically of the more remote army bases. Many of these kitchens have females working there, even a majority of female employees, and in such situations it would be better, from both the perspectives of atmosphere and of tzniyus, for female mashgichot rather than male mashgichim to be working in these kitchens.

Many of the criticisms leveled over the news report are not based on the reality of the situation in the IDF but are based on misconceptions and inaccuracies.

The original is embedded here:

. 

------------------------------------------------------
Reach thousands of readers with your ad by advertising on Life in Israel

------------------------------------------------------