In a message dated 12/29/1998 10:12:28 PM EST, [log in to unmask] writes: << I took it just as a story that did have relevance to this list >> Folks, I was ready to let this go, but I just had to respond to Ilya. What is the revelance of the story? What is the meaning behind it? To inform us that rabbis smuggle monkeys? That rabbis are bribe-takers and give out their kashruth labels based on that, or on whimsical termperment? I was responding to someone who asked about the lack or presence of antibiotics and hormones in kosher meat, and get this absolute drivel about monkeys and bribes and one rabbi. EVEN IF the story were true (which is unlikely, as someone has written), what the heck did this have to do with the topic at hand? This story was purely meant to imply that kashrus has no validity, and further implied that many or all of these rabbis are crooks or unethical, and attempted to tar the whole kosher process with a broad brush, based on one crazy story. HOW LUDICROUS. And more ridiculous that any one defends it on the basis of relevance, to paleo or anything else. When we have a message list for stories denigrating monkey-toting rabbis, then that message would be appropriate. As for taking offense, I will take offense at anything I see as spreading ignorance. Maurice