As we unpack our weekly groceries, another program on television is comparing prices in Israel to groceries around the world.  This is maybe the fourth program I’ve watched with one eye, and it always concludes with the evaluation that we are one-third more expensive.  Why? They ask.  Who is ripping us off?  The farmers?  The wholesalers?  The importers? The supermarket chains?  

I am unpacking the delivery and all the fruits and vegetables are in plastic bags that I have to unpack and discard.  On each bag is a certificate of Kashrut.  Okay, isn’t it obvious?  We’re paying for another middleman.