Everything kosher?

Kashrut: This Hebrew word means “ritual suitability” and refers to the Jewish dietary laws. These regulations stipulate how food should be stored and prepared and how animals should be slaughtered and consumed. These dietary laws are based on the Torah.

Everything that is permitted to be consumed according to these dietary regulations is deemed to be kosher. Foods that are not permitted are labelled treif. Strictly religious Jews also make sure that they separate milk and meat. Foods that can be eaten with both meat and dairy meals are called pareve, meaning neutral. Vegan cuisine is generally neutral. Both mammals that chew their cud and have cloven (split) hooves and poultry are considered to be kosher, while water-dwelling animals have to have fins and scales. The laws also regulate the shechita procedure used to slaughter animals and the processing, preparation and combination of meals. These laws are based on the Torah. They are also adapted to suit modern-day requirements and living circumstances according to rabbinic exegesis and interpretation. In a society in which the majority of the population is not Jewish, compliance with the kashrut can, indeed, be challenging. Only a few foods available to buy are labelled kosher. Liberal Jews view kashrut as the basis for their own individual dietary decisions.