Kosher foods
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{{main|Kashrut}}
[[Image:OUKosher.JPG|thumb|right|250px|The circled U indicates that this product is certified as kosher by the Orthodox Union (OU). The word "Pareve" indicates that this product contains neither milk nor meat ingredients.]]
''Kosher foods'' are those that conform to [[Jewish]] dietary laws. Reasons for food being considered non-kosher include the presence of ingredients derived from non-kosher animals or from kosher animals that were not properly slaughtered, a mixture of meat and milk, wine or grape juice (and their derivatives) produced by [[gentiles]], the use of produce from [[Israel]] that has not been [[tithing|tithed]] properly, or even the use of cooking utensils and machinery which had previously been used for non-kosher food. For an in-depth discussion of this tradition, see [[kashrut]].
==Meat==
{{main|Kashrut of animals}}
Modern [[halakha]] (Jewish law) on [[kashrut]] classifies the flesh of both [[mammal]]s and [[bird]]s as "meat"; [[fish]] are considered to be ''parve'' (also spelled parev, pareve; [[Yiddish language|Yiddish]]: פארעוו ''parev''), i.e. neither meat nor dairy.
===Kosher slaughter and preparation===
{{See also|shechita}}
Jewish law states that kosher mammals and birds must be slaughtered according to a strict set of guidelines, the slaughter (''shechita'') (שחיטה). This necessarily eliminates the practice of hunting wild game for food, unless it can be captured alive and ritually slaughtered. The slaughter process has been branded as cruel as it may take a "considerable time" for the animal to lose consciousness.<ref name="theAgeArticle">[http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/sheep-killing-branded-cruel/2007/08/02/1185648061374.html?page=2 Sheep killing branded cruel - The Age]</ref>
A professional slaughterer, or ''shochet'' (שוחט), using a large razor-sharp knife with absolutely no irregularities, nicks or dents, and checked carefully between killing each animal, makes a single cut across the throat to a precise depth, severing both [[carotid artery|carotid arteries]], both [[jugular vein]]s, the [[vagus nerve]], the [[Vertebrate trachea|trachea]] and the [[esophagus]], no higher than the [[epiglottis]] and no lower than where [[cilia]] begin inside the [[Vertebrate trachea|trachea]], causing the animal to bleed to death. Any variation from this exact procedure invalidates the process; therefore, if the knife catches even for a split second or is found afterward to have developed any irregularities, or the depth of cut is too deep or shallow, the carcass is not kosher (''nevela'') and is sold as regular meat to the general public. The ''shochet'' must not only be rigorously trained in this procedure, but also a pious Jew of good character who observes the Sabbath, and who remains cognizant that these are God's creatures who are sacrificing their lives for the good of himself and his community and should not be allowed to suffer in any way shape or form. In smaller communities, traditionally the ''shochet'' was often the town rabbi or the rabbi of one of the local synagogues; large factories which produce Kosher meat have professional full time ''shochtim'' on staff. Koshat is now available either directly in local stores or by order everywhere in the world.
Once killed, the animal is opened to determine whether there are any of seventy different irregularities or growths on its internal organs, which would render the animal non-kosher. The term ''glatt'' kosher (although it is often used colloquially to mean "strictly kosher") literally means "smooth", and properly refers to meat where the lungs have absolutely no adhesions (i.e. [[scar]]s from previous [[inflammation]]), thus there was never even a question of their not being kosher.
As Jewish law prohibits the consumption of the blood of any animal, all blood and large blood vessels must be removed from the meat. This is most commonly done by soaking and salting, but also can be done by a special broiling process. The [[hindquarter]]s of a mammal are not kosher unless the [[sciatic nerve]] and the fat surrounding it are removed ([[Genesis]] 32, last verse). This is a very time-consuming process demanding a great deal of special training, and is rarely done outside [[Israel]] where there is a greater demand for kosher meat. When it is not done the hindquarters of the animal are sold for non-kosher meat.
Compromises in countries with animal cruelty laws that prohibit such practices involve stunning the animal to lessen the suffering that occurs while the animal bleeds to death. However, the use of electric shocks to daze the animal is often not accepted by some markets as producing meat which is Kosher.<ref name="theAgeArticle"/>
== Dairy ==
Milk and milk-derived products derived from kosher animals are kosher. Milk from animals who are deemed ''treifah'' (ill or injured with those conditions mentioned in the [[Talmud]] as invalidating an animal for consumption), however, is not kosher. While the meat from such animals is similarly prohibited, milk is taken and for the most part consumed while the providing animal is still alive, whereas the meat would be consumed only after the organs (i.e. lungs) of the dead animal are examined for permissibility. This creates an objective question on the kosher status of all milk. To the rescue is the biblical law that states that majority situations trump minority ones, and since most animals do not possess a damning injury, the milk from any one animal may be consumed. [[Hershel Schachter|Rabbi Hershel Schachter]], a prominant [[rosh yeshiva]] at [[Yeshiva University]], has made the bold claim that with modern dairy farm equipment, milk from the minority of non-kosher cows is invariably mixed with that of the majority of kosher cows, thus invalidating the permissibility of consuming milk from a large dairy operation. The [[Orthodox Union]], however, released a statement declaring the milk permissible based on some leniencies.
The [[Shulchan Aruch]] (Yoreh De’ah 115:1) rules one may consume only "[[cholov yisroel]]" (חלב ישראל), or milk produced with a [[Torah]]-observant [[Jewish]] person present. Lacking proper supervision, one cannot be sure whether the milk came from a kosher animal.<ref>[http://www.ok.org/Content.asp?ID=168 OK Kosher Certification — The Making of Chalav Yisroel<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Some recent [[United States|American]] rabbinical authorities, most notably [[Moshe Feinstein|Rabbi Moshe Feinstein]], ruled that the protection provided by ''cholov yisroel'' is unnecessary because the regulations imposed on the US milk industry by the [[USDA]] are so focused and strict that the milk industry can be trusted to self-regulate themselves (i.e. when they label an item "cow's milk" to not include milk from any other animal). Some [[Haredi Judaism|Haredi]] and [[Modern Orthodox Judaism|Modern Orthodox]] rabbis hold that this leniency cannot be employed and only milk and dairy products with milk-to-bottle supervision may be consumed.
=== Cheese ===
[[Cheese]] is a dairy product. Hard cheeses, however, are usually made from milk and [[rennet]], an [[animal product]].
Rennet is the enzyme used to turn milk into curds and whey; most forms of rennet derive from the lining of the stomach of an animal. Though rennets made from the stomachs of kosher animals that are kosher-slaughtered are kosher, when combined with milk, this violates the prohibition against mixing milk and meat, thereby rendering the cheese unkosher. Therefore, enzymes found in kosher cheese are generally made from vegetable or microbial sources. The Mishna and Talmud (in Avodah Zarah and Hullin) state that cheese made with rennet derived from a non-kosher animal is non-kosher. [[Orthodox Judaism|Orthodox]] authorities follow this ruling, and hold that rennet is a "d'var ha'ma'amid" (דבר המעמיד), an ingredient which changes the food so significantly that its presence cannot be considered negligible, so that even tiny amounts make the food it is added to non-kosher. In practice, Orthodox and some Conservative Jews who observe the laws of kashrus eat only cheese made with kosher enzymes.
Many commercial cheeses marketed to [[vegetarian]]s are also made with non-animal rennet. Such cheeses still require certification to be recognized as kosher by Jews following kashrut laws.
== Prohibition of mixing milk and meat ==
{{main|Milk and meat}}
==Produce==
Various laws apply to fruits, vegetables and produce. Most of these apply only to produce of the [[Land of Israel]]:
* ''[[Orlah]]''—fruits, harvested from a tree, less than three years after its planting (Mishnah tractate Orlah 3:9, Shulchan Arukh Yoreh De'ah 294:9-10)
* Various [[tithe]]s (Shulchan Aruch ''ibid'' ch. 391-393):
** ''[[Heave offering|Terumah]]''—originally given to the [[Kohen|Kohanim]] (priestly caste)
** ''[[Maaser Rishon]]''—originally given to the [[Levite]]s
** ''[[Maaser Sheni]]''—originally consumed in [[Jerusalem]] or given to the poor (in specific years)
* ''[[Shmita]]''—produce from each seventh year (Mishna tractate Shevi'it and Maimonides ''Hilchot Shevi'it ve-Yovel'')
* ''[[Challah#Hafrashat Challah|Challah]]''—a portion of dough which must be given to the Kohanim (Mishna tractate ''Challah'', Shulchan Aruch ''ibid'' 322-330)
Outside the land of Israel, it is generally accepted by kosher consumers that all fresh produce is considered kosher and may be purchased from any store without restriction. However, laws apply to inspection for insects.
Most Orthodox authorities require a [[hechsher]] to be present on most commercially processed fruits and vegetables, including [[canned food|canned fruits and vegetables]], [[frozen vegetables]], and [[dried fruit]] (such as [[raisin]]s). This is because these items are often cooked and processed in factories using equipment that is also used for non-kosher foods, and sometimes contains additives. In addition, containers used for processing may be greased with animal fats. An exception are some frozen fruits, including [[berry|berries]], which are often frozen in their natural form, not processed in any of these ways, and bagged. They may be purchased for Passover and year round without a hechsher. In the cases of raisins, since they are derived from grapes, special restriction apply.
===Grains and cereals===
Unprocessed grains and cereals are kosher. Processed items (e.g. dry cereals, baked goods) frequently contain small quantities of non-kosher ingredients; therefore Orthodox rabbis advise against consuming such products without a ''[[hechsher]]'' (mark of rabbinical certification of kashrut) on the product. There are certain items that do not need such certification, such as plain tea, salt, 100% cocoa, carbonated water and coffee. Some Conservative rabbis say that a careful reading of the ingredients is sufficient. (According to the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, small amounts of food do not have to be listed, and items which are not "ingredients" but might have an effect on the finished product—such as food-grade lubricants used on production machinery—do not have to be listed at all.{{Fact|date=November 2007}})
===Other produce===
All fresh fruits and vegetables are kosher in principle. Jewish law requires that they be carefully checked and cleaned to make sure that there are no [[insect]]s on them, as insects are not kosher (except certain [[Orthoptera|grasshoppers and crickets]] according to the Jews of Yemen only, [[#Insects|see above]]). The Orthodox community is particular not to consume produce which may have insect infestation, and check and wash certain forms of produce very carefully. Many Orthodox Jews avoid certain vegetables, such as [[broccoli]], because they may be infested and exceedingly hard to clean. (According to the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, commercially it is not possible to remove all insects, and a sizeable amount remain. Responding to this issue, some companies now sell thoroughly washed and inspected produce for those who do not wish to do it themselves, even going to the trouble of filtering the wash water to ensure that it carries no microscopic creatures [see [[#Insects|discussion of such animals in tap water, above]]]. These may or may not meet rabbinical standards for being insect-free. Some kashrut certifying organizations completely recommend against consumption of certain vegetables they deem impossible to clean.)
There are some restrictions on consumption of produce grown in Israel. The fruit of a tree for the first three years is not consumed (in keeping with the law of ''orlah''). For crops grown in [[Israel]], tithes must be taken and allocated according to the precepts of the Bible, otherwise the entire crop will not be considered kosher. In Israel, stores that sell fruits and vegetables will usually display kosher certification. The certificate ("teudah") must be from the current month.
==Eggs==
Eggs from kosher birds are kosher; they are also considered ''pareve'' (neutral, neither milk nor meat). Traditionally, eggs are examined in a glass cup to ascertain that they contain no blood. Eggs containing blood in the white may be used according to [[Sephardi]] [[halakha]] if the blood can be removed, but the egg must be discarded if any blood is found on the yolk. Ashkenazim generally do not distinguish between blood in the white or on the yolk. Partially-formed eggs found inside slaughtered birds may be eaten, but they must undergo the same process of blood removal as the animal, and these eggs are considered to be ''fleishig'' (status of meat) in [[Ashkenazi]] Judaism.
== Canned and frozen foods ==
Most canned and frozen foods are usually permissible since manufacturers add only water and spices during the packaging process. Sometimes, however, fruits or vegetables are prepared with milk products or with non-kosher ingredients such as non-kosher meat broth. Orthodox Judaism thus holds that canned and frozen goods (except frozen berries) should generally not be consumed unless there is a reliable [[hechsher]] on the product. Conservative rabbis are often more lenient, and say that a careful reading of the ingredients is sufficient.
==Wine and grape products==
{{Main|Kosher wine}}
Orthodox Jews will not drink wine produced by non-Jews. The prohibition on drinking such wine, called "stam yeynam," goes back to pagan times, when wine was used for idolatrous purpose ("yayin nesekh"). One area of leniency is in regard to [[pasteurized]] wine, which falls under the category of "cooked wine" ("''yayin mevushal''"). Such wine was historically viewed as less suitable for religious practices, and is therefore not subject to the same prohibitions as uncooked non-Jewish wine, primarily regarding the way it may be handled. However, even ''mevushal'' wine is forbidden without proper supervision.
==Kosher for Passover==
During [[Passover]], there are additional restrictions on what foods may be eaten. [[Halakha|Jewish law]] prohibits the consumption of [[chametz|leavened products]], and furthermore any product made from the so-called "five species" of grain—conventionally viewed to be [[wheat]], [[rye]], [[barley]], [[spelt]], or [[oat]]s<ref>Note that the inclusion of oats amongst the five species ([[Rashi]]) is contested; the [[Jerusalem Talmud|Yerushalmi]] and [[Rambam]] have what we know as two-rowed [[barley]]. [[Rye]] is also contested, but is more closely related in appearance, properties and genetic affiliation.</ref>—which may have been inadvertently briefly moistened sometime after harvest, and thus begun the [[fermentation (food)|fermentation]] process which is key to leavening. The exception to this rule is ''[[matza]],'' which has been ritually supervised from harvest to packaging to ensure that no leavening has occurred.
[[Ashkenazi]] Jews are further restricted, by [[minhag|custom]], from eating [[rice]], [[legume]]s, and [[corn]] (collectively called ''[[kitniyot]]'') during Passover. Due to the prevalence of [[corn syrup]] in American processed foods, many common items are disallowed for Ashkenazic Jews during Passover. In particular, [[Coca-Cola]] produces and distributes "kosher for Passover" runs with its [[Coca-Cola formula#Kosher_Coca-Cola|corn syrup-free recipe]] during Passover in the United States.
In order to prevent inadvertent consumption of leaven, observant Jews either maintain an entirely separate set of dishes, cutlery, pots, pans, etc. for Passover (much as they maintain separate sets of kitchenware year-round for milk and for meat), or they [[Passover#Passover_dishware|kasher]] their chametz dishes by immersing them in boiling water. For convenience sake, some people who can afford it have separate kitchens for Passover.
Due to the high likelihood of chametz being found in food with even a small amount of processing, most commercial products require special Kosher for Passover certification. This is usually marked with a plain letter '''P''' on the label, or with the words "Kosher for Passover" or "May be used for Passover."
==Alternative views==
Within [[Conservative Judaism]], the law is regarded as being upheld, but the practice has significantly changed. In the 1960s the [[Committee on Jewish Law and Standards]] approved a [[responsum]] ("legal ruling") by Rabbi Israel Silverman on this subject.
He writes that some classical Jewish authorities agree that Christians are not considered idolaters, and that their products would not be considered forbidden in this regard. He also noted that most wine-making in the United States is fully automated. Based on 15th-19th century precedents in responsa literature, he concluded that wines manufactured by this automated process may not be classified as wine "manufactured by gentiles", and thus are not prohibited by Jewish law. This responsum makes no attempt to change halakhah, but rather argues that most American wine is kosher by traditional halakhic standards.
A later responsum on this subject was written by Rabbi [[Elliot N. Dorff]], and also accepted by the CJLS. Dorff noted that not all wines are made by automated processes, and thus the reasoning behind Silverman's responsum was not conclusively reliable in all cases. He explored rabbinic thought on Jewish views of non-Christians, also finding that most poskim refused to consign Christians to the status of idolator. Noting that many foods once considered forbidden if produced by gentiles (wheat and oil products) were eventually declared kosher, he concluded that wine and grape products produced by non-Jews are permissible.
==Fish and meat==
Mixing fish and meat, while technically kosher, is restricted by a Talmudic ruling. It stems from the sages understanding that the consumption of fish and meat at the same time could be harmful to one's health (according to Ashkenazim).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oukosher.org/index.php/prolearn/kosher_primer |title=The Kosher Primer |accessdate=2007-06-01 |last=Luban |first=Rabbi Yaakov |authorlink=Yaakov Luban |work=oukosher.org |publisher=[[Orthodox Union]]}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jewishanswers.org/ask-the-rabbi-996/mixing-fish-and-meat/ |title=Mixing Fish and Meat |accessdate=2007-06-01 |last=Shulman |first=Shlomo |date=[[2006-07-07]] |work=jewishanswers.org |publisher=Project Genesis}}</ref> The general practice of Orthodox Jews is that when they eat fish and meat at the same meal, they use separate plates and utensils.
Sephardi Jews do not mix fish and milk, or fish and meat products together (Shulchan Aruch).
==See also==
* [[Milk and meat]]
* [[Halal]]
* [[Islamic and Jewish dietary laws compared]]
* [[Kosher tax]]
* [[Taboo food and drink]]
== References ==
<references/>
== Further reading ==
[[Alan F. Segal]], ''Rebecca's Children: Judaism and Christianity in the Roman World'', [[Harvard University Press]], 1986, 125-7.
==External links==
*[http://www.kosher-certification.co.uk Kosher Certification]
*[http://religion.atspace.com/Judaismfood00table.htm Laws of Judaism concerning food]
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