Question: [Monday, 14^th Kisleiv 5781]

Dear Rabbi,

I was unfortunately shocked to discover that I accidentally ate a food that was not kosher. I honestly thought that it had a Hashgacha, as there is a similar product under the same brand with a Hashgacha, and only after I ate it did I discover that it does not have one, and the ingredients include nonkosher meat. What should I do? I feel very bad and would like to do a Tikkun.

Answer:

I’m sorry to hear of what happened. First and foremost, the Tikkun needs to be in the realm of Kashrus, that from now on you be more careful in checking the products that you buy and eat, whether food or beverage, and that you take upon yourself to strengthen yourself in eating a more Mehadrin level of Kashrus. For example, if until now you were not careful with Pas Yisrael, or Bishul Yisrael under products that you are lenient in then you should try to be careful in this from now on. You can view what happened as in arousal from heaven to bring you to be even more careful in kosher than before, and thereby turn the accidental sin into a merit. In addition, you should be careful to separate money for charity every single day prior to the morning prayers, as well as make sure to say at least one Psalm of Tehillim after the prayers every single day. You can also separate money for charity in the Gematria of Neveila, which is 87. You should also Daven to Hashem to help refine yourself from the effect of the nonkosher food, and study the laws of Kashrus until you are expert in them. The main emphasis should be on the first point and all the other mentioned Tikkunim are in your hands to choose which one to do and if you want you can do all of them.

Sources: See Igros Kodesh 16:247 for the first three Tikkunim mentioned. Igros Kodesh 12:408; Shulchan Menachem 3:131; Avnei Yashpei 3:76; Lashon Chachamim 2:49