My email to an independent kashrus expert:
Hello,
I want to ask you what you think about triangle k. What I understand is that no self respecting haredi would touch their products.
I took great interest in the whole Hebrew national fiasco/saga.
After doing a little bit of googling, l am under the impression that Rabbi Ralbag is a haredi rabbi just like any others. Also, I haven't seen anyone come out against him publicly asides for the hotdogs story.
I am under the impression that people don't have an issue with his ne'emonus, knowledge, or even the supervision that his organization provides. Rather they are against his shitto regarding grape juice, which he holds like a da'as yachid and probably also because he is willing to machshir something that's not mehadrin.
Someone was telling me, that even about 30 years ago when he was growing up, no one would touch triangle k products, and that was a time when kashrus standards and public knowledge were far lower than they are today.
So I ask: Is it all just politics as usual, or is there something more than what meets the eye?
Signed, yuneeq
Hello yuneeq,
Actually, in this case I would disagree with you. I believe that those in the know realize that while R' Ralbag is a talmid chacham and has smicha from several prominent rabbonim, his is NOT trusted and it has been clear for years that the hechsher is nothing more than a money-making rubber stamp. I have heard many say "don't use the hecsher" and I am unaware of any person who knows anything about kashrus relying on it.
That said, most of the kosher world is clueless so there is no shortage of business for the hashgacha. And today, being on the 'in' with the Chief Rabbinate of Israel only adds to the Triangle K's monetary success
