A kosher technicality

A rabbi was walking down the street when he noticed one of his congregants on the other side of the street entering a Chinese restaurant. The rabbi crossed the street to peer in the window to see what his congregant was doing in the traif restaurant.

The congregant ordered some ribs and fried shrimp. The rabbi continued to watch. Soon the waiter brought the ribs and shrimp. The congregant was eagerly devouring it with a hearty appetite when the shocked rabbi, unable to contain himself, burst into the restaurant to confront the congregant.

“Stop!” the rabbi shouted. “How could you do this? How could you eat this food? It’s ribs and shrimp. It’s traif!”

“Hold on,” said the congregant. “Rabbi, did you see me walk into this restaurant?”

“Yes, I did,” replied the rabbi.

“Did you see me sit down at this table?”

“Yes, I did,” the rabbi responded.

“Did you see me order?”

“I most certainly did,” the rabbi said.

“Did you see the waiter bring this food to my table?” the congregant asked.

“Yes, I did,” the rabbi affirmed.

“Did you actually see me eating the ribs and the shrimp?” asked the congregant.

“Yes, I did. I watched you the entire time!” exclaimed the rabbi.

“Well, then,” the congregant said calmly, “what’s the problem? It was all done under rabbinic supervision.”