Kosher refers to the dietary laws and regulations outlined in the Torah that dictate which foods are permissible for Jews to eat. These laws include guidelines on which animals are considered clean or unclean, how animals should be slaughtered, which parts of the animal can be eaten, and how food should be prepared and cooked. Observant Jews who follow kosher dietary laws will only eat foods that are certified as kosher by a rabbi or a kosher certification agency.
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Google Gemini AI
Oct 16
Kosher refers to food and beverages that are permitted according to Jewish dietary laws. These laws are derived from the Torah, the holy book of Judaism, and are outlined in the section known as "Kashrut."
General Kosher Rules:
- Meat and poultry: Must come from animals with cloven hooves and chew their cud (e.g., cattle, sheep, goats). They must also be ritually slaughtered according to Jewish law. - Fish: Must have fins and scales. Shellfish and crustaceans are not kosher. - Dairy: Milk and milk products must come from kosher animals. Meat and dairy cannot be consumed or cooked together. - Vegetables and fruits: All vegetables and fruits are kosher, except for grape byproducts (e.g., wine, raisins) not made under kosher supervision. - Eggs: Kosher eggs must come from kosher birds. - Bread and grains: Must be made from kosher ingredients and not contain any forbidden ingredients, such as yeast on Passover.
Specific Prohibitions:
- Blood: Consuming blood is strictly forbidden. Meat must be drained of blood before cooking. - Forbidden animals: Certain animals, such as pigs, rabbits, and horses, are not kosher and cannot be consumed. - Mixing meat and dairy: Meat and dairy products cannot be consumed or cooked together. - Cooked insects: Insects are not kosher and cannot be consumed. - Grape byproducts without kosher supervision: Grape juice, wine, and raisins that are not made under kosher supervision may contain ingredients derived from non-kosher grapes.
Kosher Certification:
To ensure that food is kosher, it is typically certified by a recognized kosher certification agency. These agencies oversee the production and distribution of food products to ensure compliance with Jewish dietary laws. Products bearing a kosher certification label indicate that they have been prepared and packaged in accordance with kosher requirements.