Practices in JudaismFood Laws

Judaism’s food laws are known as kashrut. These rules are contained within the mitzvot and following them shows obedience and self-control.

Food that is allowed is called kosher.

Kosher rules

1. Land animals must have cloven (split) hooves and must chew the cud.
2. Seafood must have fins and scales. It is not permitted to eat shellfish.
3. Birds of prey cannot be consumed. Only clean birds, ie those that do not consume other animals, can be eaten. Poultry is allowed.
4. Meat and dairy cannot be eaten together, as Exodus says do not boil a kid in its mother’s milk. For example, this means Jews cannot eat cheeseburgers. Often this rule is extended further, so that people have to wait up to six hours after eating meat before they can eat dairy.

Trefah

Food that is not allowed is called trefah. Examples include shellfish, pork products and food that has not been slaughtered in the correct way. No animals that have died naturally can be eaten.

Animals must have their throats cut with a sharp knife by a shochet, who is a person trained to slaughter animals in a kosher way. The blood must then be drained from the animal. The batte din regulate kosher butchers.

Neutral foods are called parev and these include vegetables, pasta and rice. As long as these are washed before eating, no kosher rules will be broken.

Orthodox Jews keep all the rules of kashrut. Some even have separate utensils and perhaps fridges for the preparation and storage of meat and dairy products. Reform Jews often choose which rules to follow.