Kosher Food
The kosher laws specifically relate to food and what constitutes a kosher food or not. When it comes to understanding what Jews don’t eat, most people immediately think of the Seven Species. These seven species of plants and vegetables, wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives and dates are specificially mentioned in the Bible, and so ceremonially constitute the main food items in a kosher meal.
However, the Torah teaches that all animals must be slaughtered with a single knife stroke and must not be slaughtered by strangulation or any other cruel method. Furthermore, animals with cloven hooves that have been properly slaughtered can only be consumed. This limits the list of kosher animals to include goats, sheep, cows and chickens, while pigs, rabbits and shellfish are considered treif, or unkosher.
Koshering, or the process of making dishes kosher, also prohibits the mixing of meat and dairy in the same meal or cooking them in the same pot. This means that many dishes like pizza and tacos are off limits unless prepared separately. Furthermore, it is not allowed to consume dairy and meat together in one bite or even one plate. There also needs to be a waiting period between eating dairy and meat, as well as serving different sets of dishes and utensils for the two.
The principle of basar b’chalav, or meat-based and dairy-based food, is one of the longest standing rabbinic confusions. Jewish sages have interpreted the biblical commandment not to ‘seethe a kid in its mother’s milk’, as a ban on consumption of all animal origins combined with any form of dairy product. This has caused further confusion in modern times, as eggs are almost always later-developed chicken embryos and yet are at times considered part of the ‘Pareve’, i.e. meat-free group.
Kashrut
Kashrut, or keeping kosher, is a relatively stringent observance and refers to the set of Jewish laws which govern the preparation and consumption of food. This set of laws aims to differentiate between not only food items that are ultimately permissible for consumption, but also the implements and ingredients used to prepare food and the manner in which food is stored and served.
Kashrut is an integral part of Jewish observance. It provides not only a means by which Jews can identify and keep kosher foods, but also a means by which Jews can strive for physical and spiritual wholesomeness. As such, many Jews make a point of buying kosher food whenever possible and taking extra precaution when preparing, serving and eating their meals.
Kashrut is followed by both Jews and non-Jews alike and is regulated by the Orthodox Union, a nonprofit organization committed to providing kosher certification to those who meet their qualifications. In order to get their products certified as kosher, producers must follow a strict set of guidelines and submit their products to a thorough inspection by the Union.
Kashrut is quite intricate in its detail,therefore consulting with a rabbi or a kosher certifier is advised when trying to ensure a kosher product. Some people, however, have a relaxed attitude towards kashrut observance and rely on general guidelines for practice. Ultimately, what is considered to be kosher is based on an individual’s personal definition, and their adherence to the laws and customs of inquiry.
Gebrokts Food
Gebrokts food is a type of food that certain Orthodox Jews do not eat. The reason they don’t eat this type of food is because gebrokts is made with matzo, which is a type of unleavened bread that Jews eat during the Passover holiday. This type of food is generally considered to be unkosher because of its association with leavened bread, which is forbidden by the Torah.
Gebrokts food is typically made from matzo meal or bits of ground up matzo, butter, eggs and sometimes honey. The most common type of gebrokts food is matzo ball soup, which is a soup made from stock, matzo balls, vegetables and spices. Although Jewish law does not specifically forbid the consumption of gebrokts food, some Orthodox Jews avoid it for religious reasons.
The reason why many Orthodox Jews don’t eat gebrokts food is because they believe that the dribbles of water that have been cooked into the matzo balls have leavened the matzo, as defined by Jewish law. Some Jewish communities strictly forbid the eating of gebrokts while others are more lenient, allowing members to make their own decisions depending on their own level of observance.
Beracha Acharona
Beracha Acharona is a type of blessing that Jewish people recite before and after they eat certain types of food. This type of blessing is a personal expression of thanks from the person and is to thank God for the food they are about to eat or for the sustenance they have received. Although the recipient of this blessing does not necessarily have to be a Jew, it is commonly done within the Jewish community and serves as a reminder to stay connected to God and remain holy.
The Beracha Acharona blessing is usually split into two parts, the ‘Berachah Aruchat’, which is the blessing of thanks expressed before eating and the ‘Berachah Aharan’, expressed after the meal. As prescribed by Jewish law, different blessings are recited depending on the type of food one is eating, such as bread, wine, vegetables and grains.
The Beracha Acharona blessing is seen as a reminder of the importance of thanking God for our sustenance and eating with holiness and gratitude. As part of keeping kosher, Jews refrain from eating certain types of food which include pork, shellfish and certain types of fats and oils. Therefore, this blessing serves as a reminder to not forget God but to remain connected in all aspects of life.
Food Taboos
Food taboos are another type of limiting practices that Jews adhere to when it comes to eating food. Generally, thesefood taboos involve prohibiting the consumption of certain types of food and beverages, like pork, shellfish, and certain types of grains. Jews also avoid certain practices when preparing food such as not mixing or serving meat and dairy together.
Food taboos are an important part of Jewish observance and a way to remain conscious of the blessings we receive from God and to abstain from eating certain combinations of food. As with most dietary restrictions, food taboos are based on a combination of religious and cultural beliefs.
This helps to ensure that one will not partake in activities that would go against Torah Law or that would be a disrespectful use of one’s food sources. Jews often avoid food taboos both as a reminder of their commitment to observance and as a way to remain mindful of their relationship with God.
Traditions
Jewish traditions have shaped the way the Jewish people and their descendants eat, and these traditions manifest in a myriad of different ways. One such tradition is that of special holiday meals, when tables are laden with Kosher foods that become symbolic of the season.
For Passover, as an example, foods such as Matzo, egg dishes and beef brisket become symbols of spring and of liberation from slavery. Other symbolic foods are eaten for the Sukkot, Purim and Shavuot holidays, each with their own associated spiritual and ceremonial meanings.
In addition, there are several other traditions associated with food and eating in the Jewish community. For example, the blessing of bread known as Hamotzi is recited at the beginning of each meal, and is said over two whole loaves of bread or a single, round challah.
The symbolism of bread has been part of Jewish tradition since the time of Moses, when bread made in a special oven allowed the Jewish slaves to hide small portions away as a reminder of their suffering. To this day, bread is still a representation of a sense of home and community, and is symbolic of the many different cultures and families that make up the greater Jewish community.
Kosher Dietary Laws
Kosher dietary laws dictate what Jews can or cannot eat, and set forth strict guidelines for preparation and consumption. Jews are taught to follow these laws to the letter and to make sure that the food they eat and prepare is Kosher, meaning that it is permissible under the Jewish law.
Traditional kosher dietary laws include many of the food items prohibited by the Old Testament and still followed by many Jews today. This includes animals like pigs, shellfish, and certain birds, as well as fats and glands, including cuts of meat such as the forequarter and hindquarter.
Kosher dietary laws also require that Jews abstain from mixing milk and meat, including refraining from eating them at the same time. Keeping Kosher also requires that certain kitchen utensils and dishes be used exclusively for meat or dairy, and that different items be thoroughly washed and preferably separate from one another.
Jewish dietary laws are an integral part of Jewish practice and are the result of thousands of years of interpretation and application of the laws of the Torah. These laws, along with the many cultural symbolisms found in Jewish food and dietary habits, shape the way many Jews eat today, and serve as a reminder of the importance of conscious sustenance.
Mosaic Law
Mosaic Law, or Halacha in Hebrew, is an extensive body of law that dictates how Jews should adhere to the divine commandments found in the Torah. These laws have been passed down to this day and are still observed by strict adherents, and are the basis of what constitute halachically permissible or prohibited food items.
The Mosaic Law is strictly adhered to in matters of keeping kosher and eating halachically defined foods. This includes the prohibition of consuming animal fat, blood, and certain types of seafood, as well as the practice of abstaining from eating meat and dairy together.
Mosaic Law is a complex body of law that dictates a myriad of other details, such as the manner in which chefs prepare food, the utensils used in cooking, and how culinary offerings are served. It also states that certain dishes may not be cooked on the Sabbath and what may or may not be eaten during the holiday season.
The Mosaic Law serves as a reminder of the importance of keeping kosher and adhering to the divine commandments laid out in the Torah. It is a reminder to take eating seriously and to pay attention to what is being consumed, as well as to remain mindful of the laws and restrictions laid out by the divine.
Halva
Halva is a sweet dish that is commonly found in Middle Eastern countries, and is a popular dish among the Jews. Halva is a sesame-based dessert, made from sesame oil, sugar, and sometimes different types of nuts. It is a sweet indulgence and can be found in a wide range of flavors, such as chocolate, pistachio and vanilla.
Although halva is vegetarian and generally considered to be Kosher, some strict adherents to Jewish dietary law may not eat it. This is due to the sweeter types of halva containing butter, which is a dairy product, and therefore goes against the rule of not mixing dairy and meat during the same meal.
