Who is trustworthy?

Hi,

In the Jewish legal system, we only trust someone for matters of Jewish law if that individually is personally observant of Jewish law. [There are nuances in cases in which an individual violates only particular laws, or violates Jewish law only in private.]

Theoretically, one could trust someone who was not personally observant of Jewish law, if one knew through long-term experience with this person that he never lied, regardless of his own good. However, this would require intimate knowledge of the person over an extended period of time, with recent information as well as knowledge of his behaviour in the past.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Yoreh Deah 2:43)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

An observant supervisor

Hi,

Ritual immersion in a mikvah requires, ideally, an on-looker who sees that the immersion is done properly, and particularly that all of the immerser's hair is submerged. The one who is immersing will not be able to determine this.

This observer must be personally observant of the laws of immersion, in order to be credible.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Yoreh Deah 1:105)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Trusting you to say food is kosher

Hi,

Often, we rely on the statements of others to determine that food is kosher.

One may not trust the word of a Jew regarding a particular kosher food if he is known to have eaten a non-kosher version of that type of food when a kosher option was available.

(Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah 119:1,2,4)

Have a great day,
Mordechai