Judaism is a religion that encourages followers to practice ethical and moral principles. This religion is associated with a distinct set of dietary laws – the kashrut which outlines which foods are considered to be forbidden and those that are permissible. In order for food to be kosher (that is, fit for consumption according to Jewish law), it should have been prepared and served in a way that is approved according to the principles of kashrut. In general, these rules forbid utensils and food products that contain ingredients derived from any of the animals and insects that are listed as unclean in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14, which includes the foods and the drink liquids are made from them. Meat and poultry that are considered to be permissible should also be slaughtered in a pre-determined manner. As such, this article will focus exclusively on what food Judaism cannot eat.
Pork and Other Feral Animals
One of the most prominent food items that Judaism cannot eat is pork. Even though, pork was not originally prohibited in the Torah or the Old Testament, it is regarded as non-kosher and is avoided by most Jews in the present day. This is largely because consumption of swine is described as ‘abominable’ in the Hebrew Bible, which led to the creation of the dietary laws of kashrut. In addition to this, unclean animals such as camels, rock badgers, hares, and rabbits are also forbidden for consumption by Judaism. This is because they are considered to be of an inferior cleanliness to those animals deemed fit for consumption which includes the likes of cows, sheep, and goats.
Seafood
Seafood is another type of food that is forbidden in Judaism. Certain Restrictions are also applied in this case as only certain species of fish are allowed to be eaten. These include various species such as tuna, salmon, pollock, halibut, carp, and whitefish. However, at the same time there are other species of fish, shellfish, and other aquatic animals that are considered to be non-kosher. Examples of these include catfishes, stingrays, shrimp, crayfish, clams, and lobsters. The reasons why these sea creatures are regarded as non-kosher is because their appearance and mode of life declared them to be unclean.
Cheese and Dairy Products
Certain food items and beverages that are made with dairy products are forbidden in Judaism. This includes items such as cheese and ice-cream. Most of these products contain animal based rennet and enzyme, which if present makes them non-kosher. They can only be consumed after being adequately certified as non-dairy or if they are marked as “pareve” or “dairy-free” in their composition. Certain Kosher shops and kosher food stores may also stock certain types of cheese and dairy items which have been specifically formatted for Jewish consumers who follow the Kosher laws.
Birds of Prey
Birds of prey are not considered to be ritually fit for consumption. This is because such birds are believed to cause harm to the livestock and crops. As a result, it is forbidden for Jews to consume birds of prey, as they are deemed to be unclean and thus do not fit within the framework of the dietary laws of Judaism. Examples of birds of prey that are not permissible for consumption include the likes of kites, owls, eagles, and vultures.
Blood, Shells and Eggs
Consumption of eggs is forbidden if they come from an unclean animal or if they are found to contain a trace of blood. During the butchering process or while preparing a meal, special attention must be paid to avoid the inclusion of any traces of blood or raw egg in the meal. This is because in kashrut, the principle of consuming only those things that are “fit and proper” expressly prohibits the drinking of any substance that is considered to be of an unclean nature. As such, eggs and shells, which can contain blood, are also forbidden in Judaism.
Bugs and Insects
The last type of food that is prohibited in Judaism is bugs and insects. This is because, as per the dietary laws of kashrut, it is forbidden to consume any bugs or insects that are considered to be unclean. Examples of such bugs and insects include locusts, grasshoppers, crickets, snails, beetles, and ants. The ingestion of these creatures is forbidden even in small amounts, as this is deemed to be a violation of the dietary laws of kashrut.
Mixing of Meat and Dairy Products
Another type of food that is forbidden in Judaism is the combination of meat and dairy products. This is due to a long-standing tradition in the Jewish religion that considers meat and dairy products to be two distinct and separate types of food. According to the dietary laws of kashrut, these two types of food should not be combined or consumed together in any form. This is because the consumption of these two types of food together is considered to be a violation of the dietary laws of kashrut.
Fish Without Fins, Scales, And Gills
Judaism does not permit consumption of fish without fins and scales as well, since it is believed that such fish have the ability to multiply quickly, and can lead to overfishing and depletion of natural resources. Moreover, since such fish lack gills, they are not able to obtain oxygen from the water and are considered to be unclean according to the dietary laws of kashrut. Examples of such fish include the likes of eels, sea turtles and sharks, as they all lack gills and fins and scales.
Gelatin, Caffeine and Pork By-Products
Gelatin, caffeine, and pork by-products are also prohibited in Jewish dietary laws and should be avoided as part of a kosher diet. Although some rabbis and religious leaders consider caffeine to be permissible for consumption as part of a kosher diet, most rabbinical authorities advise against its consumption as part of a kosher lifestyle. Gelatin derived from pork is also generally considered to be of an unclean nature and thus should be avoided. Similarly, pork by-products such as monosodium glutamate and lard are commonly added to different types of foods and should be avoided according to the dietary laws of kashrut.
Biblically Prohibited Wine, Wine and Fruit Juices
Biblically prohibited wine, wine and fruit juices are also not permissible for consumption by Jews. As outlined in Mishnah Avodah Zarah, any wine derived from fruits that are considered to be Biblically non-kosher cannot be consumed. This includes wines and juices derived from grapes, figs, and olives. In addition to this, wine that is not suitable for consumption according to Jewish law should also be avoided. Examples of such wines include those which have been manipulated in any way, those that have been made with ingredients that are derived from non-kosher animals, and those which have been supervised using unsanctioned methods.
Traif Meat Produced Through Non-Designated Slaughter
The last type of food item that is not permissible for consumption in Judaism is that which is considered to be traif (non-kosher) meat that has been produced through non-designated means. Examples of such meats include those which have been slaughtered in unsanctioned ways or which have not been supervised properly. For instance, if the animal that has been slaughtered has not been fully kill according to the guidelines of kashrut or been subjected to any other form of condition that could result in it being non-kosher, then it considered to be traif.
Foods Aquired Through Illicit Activities
Finally, it is also forbidden to consume any food item that has been acquired through illicit activities. According to the dietary laws of kashrut, it is not permissible to consume any food that has been purchased with dishonesty or acquired by means of theft or fraud. Furthermore, the consumption of any food that has been obtained through bribery or any other form of deception is also considered to be a violation of kashrut.
Mixing Dairy and Meat at a Meal
Mixing dairy and meat is not permissible at a meal according to Jewish dietary laws. Eating food containing both meat and dairy ingredients at the same seudah (meal) is considered to be a violation of kashrut. For example, it is not permissible to serve a meal comprising of both cheese and steak. Similarly, one should not consume any dessert or snack made with a dairy substance, such as ice-cream following a meal with a beef dish.
Eating Cooked Food Removed from an Utensil
Cooked food removed from an utensil is also not permissible for consumption according to Jewish dietary laws. For example, it is not permissible to consume cooked food that has been removed from a utensil (e.g. a bowl or a pan) that has been used to prepare meat or dairy products. This is because such utensils are considered to be unclean, or treif, and food items that have been derived from such utensils are also deemed to be non-kosher. As such, it is forbidden for Jews to consume cooked food removed from such utensils.
Consuming Cooked or Canned Food From Non-Kosher Sources
It is also forbidden for Jews to consume cooked or canned food from non-kosher sources. This is because such food items are believed to be of an unclean nature in the eyes of Jewish law. Examples of such food items include dishes consisting of meat, seafood and dairy products that have been mixed with non-kosher ingredients or been prepared using non-sanctioned methods.
