Kosher Food Kosher, a translation of the Hebrew word Kashrut, is the name Jews give to the laws about the kind of food that they may eat. Their holy books specify certain kinds of food that are all right to eat, and that other kinds should not be eaten. The Kosher laws say that products classified as meat must not be eaten in the same meal with dairy products. Fish, fruit, and vegetables are considered neutral, called pareve (pronounced "PAR-veh"), and may be eaten with either meat or dairy meals. Jews who "keep kosher" have separate utensils for meat and dairy foods, and wait a number of hours after eating one type of food before eating the other type. The meat of some animals may not be eaten at all. Animals whose meat may be eaten must be killed in a special, careful way by a religiously trained slaughterer. Meat that is not fit to eat is called treif (pronounced TRAYf).Basic rules of Kashrut. Types of meat and drink Land animals that chew their cud (ruminate) and have a split (cloven) hoof may be eaten (note that animals with toes may not be eaten. They must be true hooves). This includes livestock like cattle and sheep, but not pigs (which do not chew their cud) or camels (which do not have split hooves). Animals that eat meat (carnivores and omnivores) may not be eaten. This also means that birds of prey may not be eaten. Specific birds (from a list) may not be eaten. This includes ostrich for example. Fish must have fins and scales. Fish without scales (like eels), invertebrates like lobster and shrimp, and shellfish (like mussels) are forbidden. No amphibians or reptiles may be eaten. Examples of these are frogs. Most insects may not be eaten, with some exceptions like locusts. Preparing food The animals need to be killed in a special way. The kosher slaughterer has religious training for this work. An animal that dies by natural means, or is killed by another animal or a hunter, may not be eaten. Meat from a sick animal may not be eaten. No blood may be eaten. All blood needs to be drained from the meat (by soaking and salting it). In eggs, not even eggs with just a spot of blood can be eaten. Foods made in a factory: manufacturers sometimes label products that have got certification by adding graphical symbols to the label. These symbols are known as hechsherim. A kosher kitchen has separate sets of dishes: one for meat foods, another for dairy foods. Food may not be cooked during the Sabbath, which in Judaism is called Shabbat. Kosher Food and Drink Jewish food and drink laws are known as ‘Kashrut’ laws and Jews believe that these rules are a test of obedience and self-control. Kosher means ‘fit to eat’. Jewish people only consume kosher food and drink. The Torah (Jewish holy book) indicates to Jews which foods are not permitted (trefah foods). Meats Kosher Meats Many birds, such as turkey, goose, duck and chicken are kosher. However, birds of prey are not. Fish that have scales and fins are kosher. Shellfish, molluscs and eels are not. Treating Animals Responsibly There are rules about how animals are killed: The animal must only be slaughtered by a shochet. This is a Jew who is trained to slaughter animals and follows special rules. When it is killed, the animal must not suffer. The animal must be healthy before it is killed. Slaughter must be performed with a quick cut from a very sharp knife with a perfect blade to ensure the animal does not suffer and is uninjured before death. Did You Know? Even though they are kosher, some parts of the animal must not be eaten, such as the kidneys and the fat around the innards. If packaged food is kosher, it is shown by a symbol on the label, such as this one: Dairy Dairy is a type of food produced from or containing milk. Another important Jewish rule is that Jews must not consume meat and dairy at the same time, for example, a meaty pizza cannot be eaten because it would have cheese on it. After eating meat, at least six hours must pass before consuming dairy. Non-Meat and Dairy Food and drink which does not contain meat or dairy, such as salad and fresh orange juice, is called ‘pareve’. This can be eaten with either a dairy or meat meal. Match these words and pictures – talk to a partner and record your answers on a whiteboard: trefah pareve kosher Vegetarian and Vegan You might think that vegetarian or vegan food would be kosher, but there are further rules to be followed for food to be considered kosher. Kosher Kitchen The kitchen and the way the food is prepared is also important for food to be kosher: • Only kosher food can be brought into the kitchen. • Certain foods must be cooked or baked in order to be kosher. • Separate kitchen equipment must be used for meat, dairy and drink. These include surfaces, utensils, pans, crockery and table equipment. Kosher Kitchen Meat and dairy must be kept in different areas of the fridge. Also, the oven is to be used only for either meat or dairy dishes. For these reasons, some Jewish families own two ovens and have two separate food preparation areas. Why Kosher? Your turn: • Talk to a partner. Tell them three things you remember about kosher food. Now go and find another pair and find out what they remember. • Think of a question to test the rest of the class about kosher food. • Most importantly, can you also remember why Jewish people eat kosher food? .