What Defines Kosher?

Kosher

What Defines Kosher?

Jews must live their lives by certain basic tenets: to carry out the Ten Commandments and to live according to Jewish values based on love of one's neighbour and tolerance of one's fellow human beings.

What Defines Kosher?

Judaism’s food laws are known as kashrut. These rules are contained within the mitzvot mainly in the Books of Deuteronomy and Leviticus. Following them shows obedience and self-control.

Food that is allowed is called kosher. Food that is not allowed is called treif or trefah. Kosher is a term to describe any food that complies with a strict set of dietary rules in Judaism. These rules are called kashrut.

Not all Jewish people observe the rules of kashrut by eating kosher food. For those who do, it is a way to show reverence to God and feel connected to their faith and their communities. In Hebrew, “kosher” means fit. Kosher food is any food fit for consumption by Jewish people.

The laws of kosher define which foods a person can and cannot eat, and also how they should produce and handle certain foods. The laws also state which combinations of foods that people should avoid.

The Torah lays the foundations of kosher dietary laws. Practicing Jews believe that following a kosher diet is God’s will.