Seven Refrigerators

Mendel was making aliyah, so as a new immigrant to Israel, he was allowed to bring household items with him into the country without charge, duty-free. However, appliances that are brought in order to be sold are subject to an import duty (tax).

When Mendel arrived at the port office in Haifa to claim his household goods, the excise officer told him there was a problem.

"Only personal household items are allowed duty-free," the officer said.

"But I have only personal household items. What is the problem?" Mendel asked.

"It says here that you have brought seven refrigerators," the duty officer said. "Only one should be necessary for household use."

"But sir, I'm very frum. I need those seven refrigerators because I am very strict about separating between meat and dairy," Mendel said.

"That only explains the need for two refrigerators," the officer said.

"No, I need one for meat, one for dairy, and one for pareve foods," Mendel explained.

"That's still only three refrigerators," the officer said. "Why did you bring seven?"

"On Passover, I have to keep all of the food separate so that it does not become contaminated with chametz," said Mendel.

"That still only explains four," the officer said.

"No, no, no," Mendel asserted. "I need Passover meat, Passover dairy, and Passover pareve."

"Fine, but you still have explained the purpose for only six of the refrigerators. What possible use could you have for a seventh?"

"Nu," Mendel shrugged, "So what if I want to eat a little treif once in a while?"