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Is there really a
Jewish Tax on Food? |
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The answer is NO.
So, where does the idea of a Jewish Tax on
Food come from?
Let's look at the word tax and what it
means. In the broad sense any time you spend
money it is a tax on your capital, but more
importantly the correct word should be
expense. Why use the word tax? Just like the
Boston Tea Party, the word tax is being used
to incite anger and hatred. Why are those
Jews putting a tax on my food! The point is
the correct word is expense and the use of
tax is a loaded word to incite negative
feelings.
If a kosher symbol is a tax -- then you
would have to apply this broad definition to
everything that is an expense. From the can
or bottle used to package the product, to
the employees that make the product -- to
any donation the company makes to charity.
Even the electricity and water they used
would be a tax. These companies are being
taxed to death so they only make 2% to 30%
profit.
Why would a Food Company incur an Expense?
Food companies advertise and that is an
expense for the purpose of finding new and
repeat business. That is a good thing.
Advertising for new and repeat business is
good for the customers because it can mean
more information to the public and lower
prices. A kosher label is a form of direct
advertising telling the customer this food
is kosher and meets biblical standards in
how it was prepared and what foods are used.
This too is a good thing, because food
companies wouldn't do this if it didn't make
business sense and mean an increase in
profit.
Money food companies pay to the United
States government -- is really a tax in
which they have no choice....
A tax is forced on you. A kosher label is a
business decision made by the free will of
the person in charge of making this
decision. When the government taxes you
don't have a choice. A food business has to
listen to the FDA and other government
agencies or risk fines and being shut down.
However on the other hand, a business has a
choice on whether or not to use a kosher
label, and can terminate this relationship
at their pleasure.
Business Decisions
Consider NASC car, sports, and charity, they
all have sponsors who pay money to support
the event. Does that mean the sponsor loves
cars, sports or the charity it sponsors?
Obviously the answer is not always. For the
part, feeling has nothing to do with it --
it has to do with a business decision that
best fits their company. So, why would a
food company want to put a kosher label on a
food product? Because they know it is good
for business because a certain percent of
people do want kosher food. This makes money
for the food company and is a good for the
customers -- it is a win - win situation.
I guess taxes are a good thing, we have
schools and roads that are paved, and we
have police and all those things that taxes
provide. But one thing a kosher label isn't
-- it isn't is a tax. It is purely a
business decision to make money for the food
company; to make sure they stay in business
and provide for their employees. And maybe
sometimes a kosher label is used by a
company because it is the right thing to do.
What is involved with make a product kosher?
Rules and lots of them. Some are simple and
some are complex and some meaning you have
to be an expert in food chemistry. NO the
Rabbi doesn't bless the food or clap his
hands so it magically becomes kosher. It
means inspection of every detail of the food
plant from the products and machinery used.
And once a place is certified kosher making
sure it stays that way day in and day out.
In some areas this may be more involved than
an FDA inspection.
Those spouting about a Jewish tax on food
are consumed by hatred and want to incite
others to feel the same way.
If making money is a bad thing. Then go to
work for a company that isn't making money.
How would you support your family, plan for
your monthly expenses. Pay your mortgages,
buy food for your family, electricity, water
and all the things you want to provide for
your family.
A Rabbi doing kosher certification has a
vested interest in the food company staying
in business not out of greed but so he can
provide for family too and provide kosher
food for people to eat. The only way this
happens is when it makes good business sense
and makes a profit for the food company.
For those out there that think this is a
kosher tax and all Jews think about is
money. It is a lot easier to ask for and get
a raise from a company that is making a
profit than one that is bankrupt.
That you can bank on!
For more on
Is there really a Kosher Tax on Food? |
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