What is the meaning of Kosher?

Question

I have heard, seen and read many a thing about food as it relates to the items being 'kosher', what does this mean? Does 'kosher' only deal with food or does it pertain to a certain lifestyle?

Answer 1

The quick answer is that kosher foods are prepared within the guidelines of the Jewish faith, according to one of the doctors I work for. (She's an Orthodox Jew) It does NOT mean that the food was blessed by a rabbi or anything like that.

For meats, it means that the animal was killed in a certain humane manner. For other things, it means it was prepared using a certain kind of flour that follows the guidelines. There's several kinds of kosher as well, but I don't know them all. The main thing is that they don't mix meat and dairy - EVER - there's even separate dishes and silverware that are cleaned and stored separate from each other. That's why when you see the Kosher symbol on packaged items (it's usually a U or a K with a circle around it.) it may say Dairy or Parve next to it. (Parve means it's a "neutral" and can go with meat or dairy products.)

Answer 2

Just a side note. Kosher food is permitted in as an alternative to Halal food

Answer 3

Kosher is defined as .......

The selection and preparation of foods in accordance with traditional Jewish ritual and dietary laws. Foods that are not kosher are traife.

The only kosher flesh foods are from animals that chew the cud and have cloven hoofs, such as cattle, sheep, goats, and deer; the hindquarters must not be eaten. The only fish permitted are those with fins and scales; birds of prey and scavengers are not kosher. Moreover, the animals must be slaughtered according to ritual, without stunning, before the meat can be considered kosher.

Answer 4

meaning it was "blessed by a rabi" jewish people eating only kosher foods