Beth Din instructions go against principles of free trade

David Woolf, Johannesburg

“Now, in order to protect the business interests of kosher-certified caterers, the Beth Din has requested that certain venues refrain from using kosher-style caterers in future.”

The Beth Din sent out a letter that venues “must adhere” to a list of conditions.

Surely this is monopolistic and against free trade? Who gave the Beth Din the legal right to do the above? Jews regard kosher as:

• Not mixing milk and meat in food, crockery, and utensils;
• Not serving forbidden foods, e.g. pork and shellfish; and
• Not using crockery and utensils used for forbidden foods.

If a caterer claims to comply, surely the customer and venue owner can decide whether to believe him or not?