OUR SERVICESKosher
Kosher is a Hebrew word for “fit” or “proper”. Kosher food is prepared according to Jewish dietary laws.
Background
Kashrut refers to Jewish dietary laws. The laws of kashrut have their basis in the Bible:
- Leviticus 11:1-47 and Deuteronomy 14:3-21 list animals that can and cannot be eaten. For example, meat must come from a mammal that has a cloven hoof and chews its cud, like the cow. Pig cannot be eaten because it does not chew its cud. Most poultry is allowed. Fish require both fins and scales. Shell fish are not kosher because they do not have fins and scales. Food that is not kosher is called “traif”.
- Leviticus 3:17 and Deuteronomy 13:23-25 prohibit eating meat which contains blood.
- Exodus 23:19, 34:26 and Deuteronomy 14:21 prohibit eating milk together with meat.
Customs
Many current practices of kashrut not mentioned in the Bible evolved over centuries.
Meat and poultry must be slaughtered by a “shochet”, a person who is specially trained in Jewish dietary laws and traditions.
Separating milk from meat products:
- Dairy products cannot be cooked or eaten together with meat or poultry. Thus a turkey and cheese sandwich is not kosher.
- Foods that are not meat or dairy, for example, nuts, vegetables, eggs and fish are neutral and can be eaten with meat or dairy. These foods are called pareve.
Utensils (dishes, silverware, etc.) must be separated and designated for meat or dairy use only. - Many people who keep kosher wait a minimum of an hour before eating dairy products after eating meat. Thus, one would not eat ice cream for dessert after eating turkey or roast beef. There are no restrictions about eating meat following dairy.
Kosher Products
Hundreds of individuals and companies supervise the production of all kinds of food at factories to ensure that kosher ingredients and cooking utensils are used. Each company has its own symbol of authorization. The most common is an O with a U inside it. The symbols are often accompanied by the word “dairy” or “pareve.”
Who Keeps Kosher
There is a wide variety of practice in following the laws of kashrut.
Some people eat “kosher style” which means they do not mix dairy and meat products or eat foods that are traif like shellfish or pork, but do not require kosher products.
Some Jews who strictly follow the laws of kashrut will request that their food be served wrapped from the vendor, to ensure that nothing non-kosher has touched it.
Yet others will simply eat vegetarian food, as a way of not being concerned about the meat or fish they eat.
Many Jews do not adhere to the laws of kashrut at all.