CCAR RESPONSA
New American Reform Responsa
82. A Fish in the Shape of a Shrimp
QUESTION: A wedding at which I recently attended was strictly kosher. Much to my surprise the fish course was served in the shape of a shrimp. Would this be permissible according to our tradition? (Vigdor Kavaler, Pittsburgh PA)ANSWER: The whole pattern of tradition has sought to keep clearly non-kosher items away from our people. Items which are kosher should not be made to look like non-kosher foods because of marit ayin (Betza 9a). In addition rabbinic Judaism built “fences” around the law in order to be quite certain that no violations of the laws of kashrut would occur. So, for example, the prohibitions against legumes among Ashkenazim for Passover (Shulhan Arukh Orah Hayim 453.1). It would, therefore, be wrong as well as in poor taste to present any item in the form of shrimp or let us say a pig at a kosher dinner. Strictly speaking it would, of course, not be wrong to consume such an item, but it is in bad taste and contrary to the spirit of tradition. The Reform attitude toward kashrut has changed during the last two centuries; it continues to evolve and no clear pattern for North American Reform Jewish life has been established (W. Jacob (ed) American Reform Responsa # 49). Although Reform Jews do not observe the laws of kashrut strictly, those who do should observe the spirit as well as the letter of the law.April 1989
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