Kosher meals are foods that are prepared in line with Jewish dietary laws (also known as kashrut). These laws are lifted from the Bible in the book of Leviticus chapter 11. Food that conforms to these requirements must meet a number of predetermined conditions. Any sort of combination of a kosher food with one that is considered non-kosher makes the whole meal unclean. Overtime, there have been various modifications to these requirements in an effort to conform to modern practices in the Jewish community.
The Jewish community has extensively interacted with other cultures across the world and have borrowed a number of foreign practices. As such the variety of foods eaten has increased tremendously. There has been a similar effect on the traditions of communities that have mingled with the Jews. Muslims, for instance, have adopted some of the Kosher practices by interacting with the Jews. The definition of clean and unclean foodstuffs according to Islamic teaching bears close resemblance to that of the Jews.
It is no very clear why many Jews still follow the kashrut principles. Many say that they do this simply because it is a law that has been passed to them by their ancestors. They cannot question a law that is Biblical in origin. The authorities support these principles with the assertion that they help keep the community clean. They also think that it is a way of ensuring that the Jews maintain their identity.
According to the book of Leviticus, any animal that has a split hoof and chews the cud is approved for eating. However, if it only does one of the two, then it is unfit for human consumption, touching their carcass is also prohibited. Examples of animals whose meat is not to be eaten include the camel, hyrax, rabbit and pig.
A number of sea creatures, some birds and insects are not to be eaten as well. This list includes all the sea animals that do not have fins and scales. The birds that are considered unclean include eagles, owls, vultures and kites amongst others. A special category is that of winged creatures that can hop on the ground. These include locusts, katydids and grasshoppers.
The general rule is that all products obtained from an unclean creature are similarly unclean. These include, among others, milk, eggs and other products such as cheese and butter. The reverse is also true. The only exception to this rule is the consumption of an egg from a clean animal but showing signs of hatching.
There is another interesting assertion of these laws. Authorities insist that any kind of food prepared by a non-Jew is also unclean. The only exception to this rule is non-Jew Christians. Their food may be eaten by the Jews. Any meat that is consumed must be from an animal that was slaughtered in a humane manner whether by a Christian or a Jew.
In the modern world, restaurants that serve kosher meals have to consult with rabbinic leaders so that whatever is prepared is duly approved for consumption. The leaders check the foods to ensure that they meet the required standards before releasing them for consumption. The foods carry with them a certain mark of approval (the kosher certification label).
The Jewish community has extensively interacted with other cultures across the world and have borrowed a number of foreign practices. As such the variety of foods eaten has increased tremendously. There has been a similar effect on the traditions of communities that have mingled with the Jews. Muslims, for instance, have adopted some of the Kosher practices by interacting with the Jews. The definition of clean and unclean foodstuffs according to Islamic teaching bears close resemblance to that of the Jews.
It is no very clear why many Jews still follow the kashrut principles. Many say that they do this simply because it is a law that has been passed to them by their ancestors. They cannot question a law that is Biblical in origin. The authorities support these principles with the assertion that they help keep the community clean. They also think that it is a way of ensuring that the Jews maintain their identity.
According to the book of Leviticus, any animal that has a split hoof and chews the cud is approved for eating. However, if it only does one of the two, then it is unfit for human consumption, touching their carcass is also prohibited. Examples of animals whose meat is not to be eaten include the camel, hyrax, rabbit and pig.
A number of sea creatures, some birds and insects are not to be eaten as well. This list includes all the sea animals that do not have fins and scales. The birds that are considered unclean include eagles, owls, vultures and kites amongst others. A special category is that of winged creatures that can hop on the ground. These include locusts, katydids and grasshoppers.
The general rule is that all products obtained from an unclean creature are similarly unclean. These include, among others, milk, eggs and other products such as cheese and butter. The reverse is also true. The only exception to this rule is the consumption of an egg from a clean animal but showing signs of hatching.
There is another interesting assertion of these laws. Authorities insist that any kind of food prepared by a non-Jew is also unclean. The only exception to this rule is non-Jew Christians. Their food may be eaten by the Jews. Any meat that is consumed must be from an animal that was slaughtered in a humane manner whether by a Christian or a Jew.
In the modern world, restaurants that serve kosher meals have to consult with rabbinic leaders so that whatever is prepared is duly approved for consumption. The leaders check the foods to ensure that they meet the required standards before releasing them for consumption. The foods carry with them a certain mark of approval (the kosher certification label).
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