"The Prohibition of Shechutei Chutz" – Letter from Maran Rav Chaim Ozer Grodzinski Regarding the Prohibition of Consuming Meat from Australia – 5698
A handwritten letter with the signature of
Maran Rashkebehag Rav Chaim Ozer Grodzinski, 5698, addressed to a
shochet in Australia. This shochet had, at the request of a local meat merchant, shipped a large quantity of meat under his hechsher to Eretz Yisroel. However, the
rabbanim of Eretz Yisroel opposed its acceptance due to it being considered
"Shechutei Chutz"—a delicate term referring to concerns over harming the local meat market in Eretz Yisroel—and thus prohibited its consumption.
The shochet, distressed over the situation, sought Rav Chaim Ozer’s assistance and even sent a donation to Yeshivas Ramailes.
Rav Chaim Ozer responds with sincere regret, explaining that the meat merchant from Eretz Yisroel had previously approached him with an innocuous question—
whether one could rely on the kashrus of this Australian shochet. Rav Chaim Ozer
affirmed the reliability of the shochet, but the merchant publicized his response in the newspapers of Eretz Yisroel. This angered the rabbanim of Eretz Yisroel,
forcing Rav Chaim Ozer to clarify that his statement was
never meant to override their ruling, and that their psak stands firm—
that "Shechutei Chutz" is prohibited.
Rav Chaim Ozer expresses to the shochet that,
despite the reliability of his kashrus, he cannot act against the rabbanim of Eretz Yisroel or contradict their position, which he personally agrees with. At the conclusion of the letter, Rav Chaim Ozer provides the shochet with a
halachic response regarding melichah (salting of meat).
Also included: A copy of the original letter from the shochet (apparently his retained draft).
