Explain "KOSHER" to me...?

Question

I've read and read... but still I don't understand it.

Answer 1

leviticus, chapter 11

Answer 2

A Jewish friend of mine explained this to me.

Simply put, “Kosher” describes food that meets the standards as set out in the Torah. The word "kosher" can also be used, and often is used, to describe ritual objects that are made in accordance with Jewish law and are fit for ritual use.

Contrary to popular misconception, rabbis or other religious officials do not "bless" food to make it kosher. There are blessings that observant Jews recite over food before eating it, but these blessings have nothing to do with making the food kosher. Food can be kosher without a rabbi or priest ever becoming involved with it: the vegetables from your garden are undoubtedly kosher (as long as they don't have any bugs, which are not kosher!).

Although the details of kashrut are extensive, the laws all derive from a few fairly simple, straightforward rules:

Certain animals may not be eaten at all. This restriction includes the flesh, organs, eggs and milk of the forbidden animals (as set out in the Torah).

Of the animals that may be eaten, the birds and mammals must be killed in accordance with Jewish law.

All blood must be drained from the meat or broiled out of it before it is eaten.

Certain parts of permitted animals may not be eaten.

Fruits and vegetables are permitted, but must be inspected for bugs.

Meat (the flesh of birds and mammals) cannot be eaten with dairy. Fish, eggs, fruits, vegetables and grains can be eaten with either meat or dairy. (According to some views, fish may not be eaten with meat).

Utensils that have come into contact with meat may not be used with dairy, and vice versa. Utensils that have come into contact with non-kosher food may not be used with kosher food. This applies only where the contact occurred while the food was hot.

Grape products made by non-Jews may not be eaten.

There are a few other rules that are not universal.


Here's a good site for more info:
http://www.jewfaq.org/kashrut.htm

Answer 3

"Kosher" means that food is prepared according to Biblical standards. Meat must be only from "clean" animals; that is, among mammals, those who chew the cud and have a split hoof. Among fish, those who have fins and scales. Among birds, the foraging birds.
It also means that the meat cannot contain any blood - the blood must be drained out during slaughter. This usually requires cutting the neck of the animal with an extremely sharp knife, so that the heart pumps all the blood out before it dies. Also, there must be no fat on the meat.

Answer 4

Kashrut (also kashruth or kashrus, כַּשְרוּת) refers to Jewish dietary laws. Food in accord with halakha (Jewish law) is termed kosher in English, from the Hebrew term kashér, meaning "fit" (in this context, fit for consumption by Jews according to traditional Jewish law). Jews may not consume non-kosher food (but there are no restrictions for non-dietary use, for example, injection of insulin of porcine origin).

Food that is not in accord with Jewish law is called treif, (טרייף or treyf (Hebrew טְרֵפָה). Treif meat is meat from a non-kosher animal or a kosher animal that has not been properly slaughtered according to Jewish law.

Many of the basic laws of kashrut are in the Torah's Book of Leviticus, with their details set down in the oral law (the Mishnah and the Talmud) and codified by the Shulchan Aruch and later rabbinical authorities. Many varied reasons have been offered for these laws, ranging from philosophical and ritualistic, to practical and hygienic.

By extension, the word kosher means legitimate, acceptable, permissible, genuine or authentic, in a broader sense

The Islamic equivalent for Muslims is halal, which overlaps with kosher, but is not identical.

Answer 5

Kashrut (also kashruth or kashrus, כַּשְרוּת) refers to Jewish dietary laws. Food in accord with halakha (Jewish law) is termed kosher in English, from the Hebrew term kashér, meaning "fit" (in this context, fit for consumption by Jews according to traditional Jewish law). Jews may not consume non-kosher food (but there are no restrictions for non-dietary use, for example, injection of insulin of porcine origin).

Food that is not in accord with Jewish law is called treif, (טרייף or treyf (Hebrew טְרֵפָה). Treif meat is meat from a non-kosher animal or a kosher animal that has not been properly slaughtered according to Jewish law.

Many of the basic laws of kashrut are in the Torah's Book of Leviticus, with their details set down in the oral law (the Mishnah and the Talmud) and codified by the Shulchan Aruch and later rabbinical authorities. Many varied reasons have been offered for these laws, ranging from philosophical and ritualistic, to practical and hygienic.

By extension, the word kosher means legitimate, acceptable, permissible, genuine or authentic, in a broader sense.

The Islamic equivalent for Muslims is halal, which overlaps with kosher, but is not identical.

Answer 6

It's just food and drinks that Jews are allowed by the laws of Moses(PBUH*) to eat. Like Jews; Muslims also have strict dietary guidelines on what they can and can't eat. Only referring to lawful food for Muslims is Hala. It's the same thing. No pig, no geltain, no alcohol. I think Jews can't eat seafood.

Answer 7

In Jewish terms, "proper" as in the case of Kosher food, proper food.

Answer 8

Someone told me that Kosher food is food that has been blessed by a Rabbi

Answer 9

Archaic set of rules governing what you can and can't eat. Back in the day disease ridden food was common (it's becomming common again) so certain food or combinations of food were forbidden. Dietary laws/rules. Dont' eat pork for example: Strichnosis was a problem back in the day.

Answer 10

It just means 'fit for consumption'. The Wikipedia definition is very clear and I'm not sure what part you do not understand.