Beginning today orthodox Jews of Germany will be forced to go meatless as a result of an order issued yesterday which prohibits the import of kosher meat.
With shechita (orthodox ritual of slaughtering animals for consumption by Jews) prohibited in Germany for some time, the only hope orthodox Jewry here has left of obtaining kosher meat rests in arrangements that may be made with foreign relief organizations.
Since the ban on shechita, kosher meat has been imported from Hungary and Denmark by the various Jewish community organizations with the special permission of the German authorities. This permission was granted because at the time Germany had a favorable trade balance and no foreign exchange was needed for the purchases.
The prohibition on kosher meat imports was decreed because, it was stated, Germany now needs all her credits for food for the general population and because it is vital that the Reich conserve its foreign exchange.
The new law affects not only thousands of orthodox individuals but deals a crushing blow to Jewish butchers and restaurants.
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