72-567: Kashrut (also kashruth or kashrus , כַּשְׁרוּת ) is a set of dietary laws dealing with the foods that Jewish people are permitted to eat and how those foods must be prepared according to Jewish law . Food that may be consumed is deemed kosher ( / ˈ k oʊ ʃ ər / in English, Yiddish : כּשר ), from the Ashkenazi pronunciation of the term that in Sephardi or Modern Hebrew
144-400: A Jew manipulates any object for a 'holy reason', (which includes eating); however, not all animal products are capable of releasing their 'sparks of holiness'. The Hasidic argument is that animals are imbued with signs that reveal the release of these sparks, and the signs are expressed in the biblical categorization of ritually 'clean' and ritually 'unclean'. Although the reason for kashrut
216-564: A cultural taboo. For example, although dog meat is eaten, in certain circumstances, in Korea , Vietnam , and China , it is considered inappropriate as a food in virtually all Western countries. Likewise, horse meat is rarely eaten in the English-speaking world , although it is part of the national cuisine of countries as widespread as Kazakhstan , Japan , Italy , and France . Sometimes food prohibitions enter national or local law, as with
288-442: A famine-stricken village kills and eats its bullocks, they will not be available to pull the plough and the cart when next planting season comes. However, little evidence has been found to support this conjecture. Areas suffering from famine may resort to consuming cattle in efforts to survive until the next season. By Indian law, the slaughter of female cattle is banned in almost all Indian states except Kerala , West Bengal and
360-528: A few basic principles: Every food that is considered kosher is also categorized as follows: While any produce that grows from the earth, such as fruits, grains, vegetables, and mushrooms, is always permissible, laws regarding the status of certain agricultural produce, especially that grown in the Land of Israel such as tithes and produce of the Sabbatical year , impact their permissibility for consumption. Most of
432-457: A general rule, all seafood is permissible in the 3 madh'hab of Sunni Islam except Hanafi school of thought. The Ja'fari school of Islamic jurisprudence , which is followed by most Shia Muslims , prohibits non-piscine (lacking scales) seafood, with the exception of shrimp. Honey is concentrated nectar and honeydew which has been regurgitated by bees . It is considered kosher even though honey bees are not, an apparent exception to
504-419: A practice known as ḥaliṭah ( Hebrew : חליטה ), "blanching." This was believed to constrict the blood lodged within the meat, to prevent it from oozing out when the meat was eaten. The raw meat is left in the pot of boiling water for as long as it takes for the meat to whiten on its outer layer. If someone wanted to use the water for soup after making ḥaliṭah in the same pot, they could simply scoop out
576-445: A result of health considerations or other practical reasons; in others, they relate to human symbolic systems . Some foods may be prohibited during certain religious periods (e.g., Lent ), at certain stages of life (e.g., pregnancy ), or to certain classes of people (e.g., priests ), even if the food is otherwise permitted. On a comparative basis, what may be declared unfit for one group may be perfectly acceptable to another within
648-528: A scandal erupted when a farm near the Polish town of Częstochowa was discovered rearing dogs to be rendered down into smalec - lard . In Switzerland , an article in 2012 by The Local reported the continued consumption of dogs within the nation. Speculation arose suggesting that farmers in the German-speaking cantons of Appenzell and St. Gallen were known to personally slaughter these animals. According to
720-456: A significant role in Hinduism with milk particularly being highly revered, often being used in holy ceremonies. Bullocks were the primary source of agricultural power and transportation in the early days, and as India adopted an agricultural lifestyle, the cow proved to be a very useful animal. This respect, stemming out of necessity, led to abstaining from killing cows for food; for example, if
792-483: A similar set of dietary laws, people with allergies to dairy foods, and vegans, who use the various kosher designations to determine whether a food contains meat or dairy-derived ingredients. The laws of Kashrut are a major area covered in traditional rabbinic ordination; see Yeshiva § Jewish law and Semikhah § Varieties of ordination . And numerous scholarly and popular works exist on these topics, covering both practice and theory. Jewish philosophy divides
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#1732859330929864-442: A spot of blood may not be eaten under Jewish and Islamic tradition, but eggs without any blood are commonly consumed (and are not considered to be meat, so may be eaten with dairy). Buddhists are forbidden from eating elephant meat. Elephant meat is also not considered kosher by Jewish dietary laws because elephants do not have cloven hooves and are not ruminants . Some scholars of Islamic dietary laws have ruled that it
936-543: A strict set of rules, called kashrut , regarding what may and may not be eaten, and notably forbidding the mixing of meat with dairy products. Islam has similar laws , dividing foods into haram (forbidden) and halal (permitted). Jains often follow religious directives to observe vegetarianism . Some Hindus do not eat beef, and some Hindus , especially those from the Upper Castes consider vegetarianism as ideal, and practise forms of vegetarianism. In some cases,
1008-469: A subsection of the community, a food taboo can also lead to the monopolization of a food item by those exempted. A food taboo acknowledged by a particular group or tribe as part of their ways, aids in the cohesion of the group, helps that particular group to stand out and maintain its identity in the face of others and therefore creates a feeling of "belonging". Various religions forbid the consumption of certain types of food. For example, Judaism prescribes
1080-599: A taboo against dog meat. In Indonesia , due to its majority Islamic population, consuming dog meat is prohibited, with exception of Christian Batak and Minahasan ethnic groups that traditionally consumed dog meat. The Urapmin people of the New Guinea Highlands do not kill or eat dogs, unlike some neighboring tribes, nor do they let dogs breathe on their food. Bears are not considered kosher animals in Judaism. Bear meat, like all predatory terrestrial animals ,
1152-473: A taboo against eating beef, because they consider cows as an animal responsible for working in the fields with human beings. However, it is not strictly considered taboo in populated cities like Mandalay, Yangon etc. In the town of Kudus on the Indonesian island of Java , there is also a taboo on eating beef, despite most people being Muslim. The reason why the people of Kudus have a taboo against eating beef
1224-613: Is [...] never mentioned in the Geniza ." Goitein believed that in the early Middle Ages Jewish families kept only one set of cutlery and cooking ware. According to David C. Kraemer , the practice of keeping separate sets of dishes developed only in the late 14th and 15th centuries. It is possible observant Jews before then waited overnight for the meat or dairy gravy absorbed in a pot's walls to become insignificant ([[[:he:נותן טעם לפגם#נותן טעם לפגם בכלים|lifgam]]] Error: {{Transliteration}}: transliteration text not Latin script ( help ) ) before using
1296-528: Is called tevel ); the fruit of the first three years of a tree's growth or replanting are forbidden for eating or any other use as orlah ; produce grown in the Land of Israel on the seventh year obtains k'dushat shvi'it , and unless managed carefully is forbidden as a violation of the Shmita (Sabbatical Year). Some rules of kashrut are subject to different rabbinical opinions. For example, many hold that
1368-525: Is currently not illegal to chew gum in Singapore , merely to import it and sell it, with certain exceptions. Since 2004, an exception has existed for therapeutic, dental, and nicotine chewing gum , which can be bought from a doctor or registered pharmacist. Almost all types of non- piscine seafood , such as shellfish , lobster , shrimp or crayfish , are forbidden by Judaism because such animals live in water but do not have both fins and scales . As
1440-557: Is forbidden in Islam. There is a strong taboo against eating cats in many Western parts of the world , including most of the Americas and Europe . Cat meat is forbidden by Jewish and Islamic law as both religions forbid the eating of carnivores. Cats are commonly regarded as pets in Western countries, or as working animals, kept to control vermin , not as a food animal, and consumption of cats
1512-565: Is generally not kosher, as well as any animal that has been partially eaten by other animals. Meat and milk (or derivatives) may not be mixed in the sense that meat and dairy products are not served at the same meal, served or cooked in the same utensils, or stored together. Observant Jews have separate sets of dishes, and sometimes different kitchens, for meat and milk, and wait anywhere between one and six hours after eating meat before consuming milk products. The milchig and fleishig (literally "milky" and "meaty") utensils and dishes are
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#17328593309291584-481: Is grilled over an open flame. Fish (and kosher locusts, for those who follow the traditions permitting them) must be killed before being eaten, but no particular method has been specified in Jewish law. Legal aspects of ritual slaughter are governed not only by Jewish law but civil law as well. Some believe that this ensures the animal dies instantly without unnecessary suffering , but many animal rights activists view
1656-686: Is necessary to allow birds to be consumed, even if it can be substantiated that they meet all four criteria. The only exception to this is the turkey. There was a time when certain authorities considered the signs sufficient, so Jews started eating this bird without a masorah because it possesses all the signs ( simanim ) in Hebrew. Fish must have fins and scales to be kosher. Shellfish and other non-fish water fauna are not kosher. (See kosher species of fish .) Insects are not kosher, except for certain species of kosher locust . Any animal that eats other animals, whether they kill their food or eat carrion ,
1728-498: Is no particular explanation since the human mind is not always capable of understanding divine intentions. In this line of thinking, the dietary laws were given as a demonstration of God's authority, and man must obey without asking why. Although Maimonides concurs that all the statutes of the Torah are decrees, he is of the view that whenever possible, one should seek out reasons for the Torah's commandments. Some theologians have said that
1800-455: Is pronounced kashér ( כָּשֵׁר ), meaning "fit" (in this context: "fit for consumption"). Food that may not be consumed, however, is deemed treif ( / t r eɪ f / in English, Yiddish : טרײף ), also spelled treyf ( Yiddish : טריף ). In case of objects the opposite of kosher is pasúl ( / p ə ˈ s u l / in English, Yiddish: פָּסוּל). Although the details of the laws of kashrut are numerous and complex, they rest on
1872-593: Is that it is a decree from the Torah, there have been attempts to provide scientific support for the view that Jewish food laws have an incidental health benefit. One of the earliest is that of Maimonides in The Guide for the Perplexed . In 1953, David Macht , an Orthodox Jew and proponent of the theory of biblical scientific foresight, conducted toxicity experiments on many kinds of animals and fish. His experiment involved lupin seedlings being supplied with extracts from
1944-497: Is the rook , which was a recognised country dish, and which has, more recently, been served in a Scottish restaurant in London . In Western cultures today, most people regard songbirds as backyard wildlife rather than as food. A balut is a developing bird embryo (usually a duck or chicken) that is boiled and eaten from the shell. Part of the Quran includes understanding and respecting
2016-516: Is the meat and eggs of endangered species or animals that are otherwise protected by law or international treaty. Examples of such protected species include some species of whales, sea turtles , and migratory birds . Similarly, sustainable seafood advisory lists and certification discourage the consumption of certain seafoods due to unsustainable fishing . Organic certification prohibits certain synthetic chemical inputs during food production, or genetically modified organisms , irradiation , and
2088-405: Is thus seen as a barbaric act by a large part of the population in those countries. In Switzerland , a 2012 report by The Local also highlighted the consumption of cats within the country. Consumption of eggs is permissible in all Abrahamic faiths. Jains abstain from eating eggs. Many Hindu and Orthodox Sikh vegetarians also refrain from eating eggs. An egg that naturally contains
2160-702: Is to avoid offending Hindus. While both beef and dairy consumption is permitted in Judaism, the mixing of dairy products with any sort of meat is completely forbidden. The consumption of dairy products together with meat is also prohibited as non-kosher in Rabbinic Judaism, based on Deuteronomy 14:21: "You shall not boil a young goat in its mother's milk." Karaite Jews, however, interpret this commandment more literally to mean that meat cannot be cooked in milk; but dairy products can be served with them. A chewing gum sales ban has been in place since 1992 in Singapore. It
2232-500: The Shulchan Arukh , ruled that the pieces of meat can be "very thick" when salting. The Yemenite Jewish practice, however, follows Saadiah Gaon , who required that the meat not be larger than half a "rotal" (i.e. roughly 216 grams (7.6 oz)) when salting. This allows the effects of the salt to penetrate. Some Orthodox Jewish communities require the additional stricture of submersing raw meat in boiling water prior to cooking it,
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2304-443: The 613 commandments (or mitzvot ) into three groups—laws that have a rational explanation and would probably be enacted by most orderly societies ( mishpatim ), laws that are understood after being explained, but would not be legislated without the Torah's command ( eidot ), and laws that do not have a rational explanation ( chukim ). Some Jewish scholars say that kashrut should be categorized as laws for which there
2376-767: The cloven hoof criterion. Like these animals, camels (and llamas) are ruminants with a multi-chambered stomach. Camels are even-toed ungulates , with feet split in two. However, a camel's feet form soft pads rather than hard hooves. In Islam, the eating of camels is allowed, and is indeed traditional in the Islamic heartland in Saudi Arabia and the Arabian Peninsula . Cattle hold a traditional place as objects of reverence in countries such as India . Some Hindus, particularly Brahmins , are vegetarian and strictly abstain from eating meat. All of those who do eat meat abstain from
2448-419: The hare because they have no cloven hooves, and the pig because it does not ruminate) are specifically excluded. In 2008, a rabbinical ruling determined that giraffes and their milk are eligible to be considered kosher. The giraffe has both split hooves and chews its cud, characteristics of animals considered kosher. Findings from 2008 show that giraffe milk curdles, meeting kosher standards. Although kosher,
2520-709: The ostrich , is explicitly banned as food in some interpretations of Leviticus 11:16. Rabbis have frequently inferred that traditions that explicitly prohibit birds of prey and natural scavengers create a distinction with other avian species; thus, eating chickens , ducks , geese , and turkeys is allowed. In contrast, Islamic dietary rules permit the consumption of ostrich, while birds of prey (defined specifically as those who hunt with claws and talons ) are forbidden, as in Judaism. Scavengers and carrion-eaters such as vultures and crows are avoided as food in many cultures because they are perceived as carriers of disease and unclean, and associated with death. An exception
2592-419: The sages . First, a dores (predatory bird) is not kosher. Additionally, kosher birds possess three physical characteristics: an extra toe in the back (which does not join the other toes in supporting the leg), a zefek ( crop ), and a korkoban ( gizzard ) with a peelable lumen . However, individual Jews are barred from merely applying these regulations alone; an established tradition ( masorah )
2664-511: The seven north eastern states . A person involved in either cow slaughter or its illegal transportation could be jailed in many states. Slaughter of cows is an extremely provocative issue for many Hindus. Some Chinese Buddhists discourage the consumption of beef, although it is not considered taboo. However, for Sinhalese Buddhists , it is taboo and considered to be ungrateful to kill the animal whose milk and labour provides livelihoods to many Sinhalese people . Burmese Buddhists also have
2736-557: The Torah does not provide a reason, it has been suggested that the practice was perceived as cruel and insensitive. Hasidic Judaism believes that everyday life is imbued with channels connecting with Divinity , the activation of which it sees as helping the Divine Presence to be drawn into the physical world; Hasidism argues that the food laws are related to the way such channels, termed 'sparks of holiness', interact with various animals. These 'sparks of holiness' are released whenever
2808-402: The ancient Hindu scriptures (cf. Manusmṛti and medicinal texts like Sushruta Samhita ), dog's meat was regarded as the most unclean (and rather poisonous) food possible. Dog's meat is also regarded as unclean under Jewish and Islamic dietary laws; therefore, consumption of dog meat is forbidden by both of those religious traditions. In Irish mythology , legend recounts how Cú Chulainn ,
2880-410: The animal non-kosher. It is forbidden to consume certain parts of the animal, such as certain fats ( chelev ) and the sciatic nerves from the legs, the process of excision being done by experts before the meat is sold. As much blood as possible must be removed through the kashering process; this is usually done through soaking and salting the meat, but the liver , as it is rich in blood,
2952-545: The animals was banned in 1980, though international imports as well as private, individual hunting and cooking remains legal in many areas. In Judaism, the Deuteronomic Code and Priestly Code explicitly prohibit the bat. Bat meat, like that of all predatory land animals, is haram (prohibited) in Islam. The Torah ( Leviticus 11:13 ) explicitly states that the eagle , vulture , and osprey are not to be eaten. A bird now commonly raised for meat in some areas,
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3024-833: The application of a blowtorch. Food prepared in a manner that violates the Shabbat (Sabbath) may not be eaten; although in certain instances it is permitted after the Shabbat is over. Passover has stricter dietary rules, the most important of which is the prohibition on eating leavened bread or derivatives of this, which are known as chametz . This prohibition is derived from Exodus 12:15. Utensils used in preparing and serving chametz are also forbidden on Passover unless they have been ritually cleansed ( kashered ). Observant Jews often keep separate sets of meat and dairy utensils for Passover use only. In addition, some groups follow various eating restrictions on Passover that go beyond
3096-481: The ban on cattle abattoirs in most of India , and horse slaughter in the United States . Even after reversion to Chinese rule, Hong Kong has not lifted its ban on supplying meat from dogs and cats, created during British rule . Environmentalism , ethical consumerism and other activist movements are giving rise to new prohibitions and eating guidelines. A fairly recent addition to cultural food prohibitions
3168-651: The basic laws of kashrut are derived from the Torah 's books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy . Their details and practical application, however, are set down in the Oral Torah , (eventually codified in the Mishnah and Talmud ), and elaborated on in the later rabbinical literature. Although the Torah does not state the rationale for most kashrut laws, some suggest that they are only tests of obedience, while others have suggested philosophical, practical, and hygienic reasons. Over
3240-482: The commonly referred-to Yiddish delineations between dairy and meat ones, respectively. According to the Shulchan Aruch, a six-hour waiting period is recommended between consuming meat and dairy. During this time, it is generally advised to abstain from brushing and rinsing the mouth. Shelomo Dov Goitein writes, "the dichotomy of the kitchen into a meat and a milk section, so basic in an observant Jewish household,
3312-794: The consumption of amphibians such as frogs . The restriction is described in Leviticus 11:29-30 and 42–43. Derivative chemical products from amphibians, as well as with other proscribed animals, must be avoided. In other cultures, foods such as frog legs are treasured as delicacies, and the animals may be raised commercially in some circumstances. However, environmental concerns over the endangerment of frogs, even possibly pushing them into extinction , due to overconsumption has prompted legal action in nations such as France to limit their use in food. The French Ministry of Agriculture began taking measures to protect native frog species in 1976, and efforts have continued since. Mass commercial harvesting of
3384-462: The consumption of beef , as the cow holds a sacred place in Hinduism . For example, tradition states that the goddess Kamadhenu manifests herself as a wish-granting divine cow, with such stories repeated over generations. In contrast to cow slaughter, consumption of dairy products such as milk, yogurt, and particularly ghee (a form of butter ) is highly common in India. Cow-derived products play
3456-479: The diner draped his head with a linen napkin to preserve the precious aromas and, some believe, to hide from God." The eating of camels is strictly prohibited by the Torah in Deuteronomy 14:7 and Leviticus 11:4 . The Torah considers the camel unclean, even though it chews the cud, or regurgitates , the way bovines, sheep, goats, deer, antelope, and giraffes (all of which are kosher ) do, because it does not meet
3528-519: The early 20th century, consumption of dog meat in Germany was common. Suspicions about the provenance of Frankfurter meat sold by German immigrants in the United States led to the coinage of the term ' hot dog '. In 1937, a meat inspection law targeting trichinella was introduced for pigs, dogs, boars , foxes, badgers , and other carnivores. Dog meat has been prohibited in Germany since 1986. In 2009
3600-473: The eating of most insects is prohibited, but locusts are considered lawful food and do not require ritual slaughtering. In Western countries , eating dog meat is generally considered taboo, though that taboo has been broken under threat of starvation in the past. Dog meat has been eaten in every major German crisis at least since the time of Frederick the Great , and is commonly referred to as "blockade mutton". In
3672-540: The exception of China , Vietnam , North and South Korea either because of Islamic or Buddhist values or animal rights as in Taiwan. Manchus have a prohibition against the eating of dog meat, which is sometimes consumed by the Manchus' neighboring Northeastern Asian peoples. The Manchus also avoid the wearing of hats made of dog's fur. In addition to Manchus, Chinese Mongol , Miao , Muslims , Tibetan , Yao and Yi have
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#17328593309293744-436: The film, froth and scum that surface in the boiling water. Ḥaliṭah is not required when roasting meat over a fire, as the fire constricts the blood. Utensils used for non-kosher foods become non-kosher, and make even otherwise kosher food prepared with them non-kosher. Some such utensils, depending on the material they are made from, can be made suitable for preparing kosher food again by immersion in boiling water or by
3816-399: The giraffe is not slaughtered today because the process would be very costly. Giraffes are difficult to restrain, and their use for food could cause the species to become endangered. Non-kosher birds are listed outright in the Torah, but the exact zoological references are disputed and some references refer to families of birds (24 are mentioned). The Mishnah refers to four signs provided by
3888-478: The great hero of Ulster whose name means Culann 's Hound, was presented with a Morton's fork , forcing him to either break his geis (taboo) about eating dog meat or declining hospitality; Cú Chulainn chose to eat the meat, leading ultimately to his death. In Mexico , in the pre-Columbian era , a hairless breed of dog named xoloitzcuintle was commonly eaten. After colonization, this custom stopped. In East Asia , most countries rarely consume dog meat with
3960-529: The law that any animal products should not be eaten if the animal has not been slaughtered properly, making the animal or animal-product "maytah". Because balut is an egg containing a partly-developed embryo, Muslims believe this makes it "haram", or "forbidden". The ortolan bunting developed as a more recent taboo food among French gourmets. The tiny birds were captured alive, force-fed, then drowned in Armagnac, "roasted whole and eaten that way, bones and all, while
4032-441: The laws of kashrut are symbolic in character: kosher animals represent virtues , while non-kosher animals represent vices . The 1st-century BCE Letter of Aristeas argues that the laws "have been given [...] to awake pious thoughts and to form the character". This view reappears in the work of the 19th-century Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch . The Torah prohibits "cooking the kid (goat, sheep, calf) in its mother's milk". While
4104-417: The laws of ritual purity roughly correspond to modern ideas of physical cleanliness, many of them have little to do with hygiene. For example, there is no evidence that the 'unclean' animals are intrinsically bad to eat or to be avoided in a Mediterranean climate, as is sometimes asserted." The laws of kashrut can be classified according to the origin of the prohibition (Biblical or rabbinical) and whether
4176-410: The meat is laid over a grating or colander to allow for drainage, remaining so for the duration of time that it takes to walk one biblical mile (approximately 18–24 minutes). Afterwards, the residue of salt is rinsed away with water, and the meat cooked. Meat that is roasted requires no prior salting, as fire causes a natural purging of blood. Turei Zahav ("Taz"), a 17th-century commentary on
4248-674: The meat of a particular animal , including mammals , rodents , reptiles , amphibians , fish , molluscs , crustaceans and insects , which may relate to a disgust response being more often associated with meats than plant-based foods. Some prohibitions are specific to a particular part or excretion of an animal, while others forgo the consumption of plants or fungi . Some food prohibitions can be defined as rules, codified by religion or otherwise, about which foods, or combinations of foods, may not be eaten and how animals are to be slaughtered or prepared. The origins of these prohibitions are varied. In some cases, they are thought to be
4320-401: The meat of the animal non-kosher. The body of the slaughtered animal must be checked after slaughter to confirm that the animal had no medical condition or defect that would have caused it to die of its own accord within a year, which would make the meat unsuitable. These conditions ( treifot ) include 70 different categories of injuries, diseases, and abnormalities whose presence renders
4392-520: The meat of various animals; Macht reported that in 100% of cases, extracts from ritually 'unclean' meat inhibited the seedling's growth more than that from ritually 'clean' meats. At the same time, these explanations are controversial. Scholar Lester L. Grabbe , writing in the Oxford Bible Commentary on Leviticus, says "[a]n explanation now almost universally rejected is that the laws in this section have hygiene as their basis. Although some of
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#17328593309294464-744: The normal rule that products of an unclean animal are also unclean. This topic is covered in the Talmud and is explained to be permissible on the grounds that the bee does not originally make the first honey, the flower does, while the bees store and dehydrate the liquid into honey. This is different from royal jelly , which is produced by bees directly and is considered non-kosher. Some vegans avoid honey as they would any other animal product . In Judaism and Samaritanism , certain locusts could be kosher foods (Leviticus 11:22). Otherwise, insects are considered nonkosher. Kashrut also requires that practitioners check other foods carefully for insects. In Islam,
4536-497: The past century, many kashrut certification agencies have started to certify products, manufacturers, and restaurants as kosher, usually authorizing the use of a proprietary symbol or certificate, called a hechsher , to be displayed by the food establishment or on the product, which indicates that they are in compliance with the kosher laws. This labeling is also used by some non-Jewish people, examples of which include those whose religions (including Islam ) expect adherence to
4608-401: The pot for the other foodstuff (meat or dairy). Mammals and fowl must be slaughtered by a trained individual (a shochet ) using a special method of slaughter, shechita . Shechita slaughter severs the jugular vein , carotid artery , esophagus , and trachea in a single continuous cutting movement with an unserrated, sharp knife . Failure to meet any of these criteria renders
4680-444: The process as cruel, claiming that the animal may not lose consciousness immediately, and activists have called for it to be banned. When an animal is ritually slaughtered ( shechted ) the raw meat is traditionally cut, salted, and rinsed, prior to cooking. Salting of raw meat draws out the blood that lodges on the inner surface of the meat. The salting is done with coarse grain salt, commonly referred to as kosher salt , after which
4752-524: The process of preparation rather than the food itself comes under scrutiny. For instance, in early medieval Christianity, certain uncooked foods were of dubious status: a penitential ascribed to Bede outlined a (mild) penance for those who ate uncooked foods, and Saint Boniface wrote to Pope Zachary (in a letter preserved in the Boniface correspondence , no. 87) asking him how long bacon would have to be cured to be proper for consumption. The kapu system
4824-402: The prohibition concerns the food itself or a mixture of foods. Biblically prohibited foods include: Biblically prohibited mixtures include: Rabbinically prohibited foods include: Only meat from particular species is permissible. Mammals that both chew their cud ( ruminate ) and have cloven hooves can be kosher. Animals with one characteristic but not the other (the camel, the hyrax , and
4896-417: The rule against eating chadash (new grain) before the 16th of the month Nisan does not apply outside the Land of Israel. Food and drink prohibitions Some people do not eat various specific foods and beverages in conformity with various religious , cultural , legal or other societal prohibitions. Many of these prohibitions constitute taboos . Many food taboos and other prohibitions forbid
4968-545: The rules of kashrut , such as not eating kitniyot , gebrochts or garlic . Biblical rules also control the use of agriculture produce, for example, with respect to their tithing, or when it is permitted to eat them or to harvest them, and what must be done to make them suitable for human consumption. For produce grown in the Land of Israel a modified version of the biblical tithes must be applied, including Terumat HaMaaser , Maaser Rishon , Maaser Sheni , and Maasar Ani (untithed produce
5040-428: The same culture or across different cultures. Food taboos usually seem to be intended to protect the human individual from harm, spiritually or physically, but there are numerous other reasons given within cultures for their existence. An ecological or medical background is apparent in many, including some that are seen as religious or spiritual in origin. Food taboos can help utilizing a resource, but when applied to only
5112-450: The use of sewage sludge . The fair trade movement and certification discourage the consumption of food and other goods produced in exploitative working conditions. Other social movements generating taboos include local food and The 100-Mile Diet , both of which encourage abstinence from non-locally produced food, and veganism , in which adherents endeavour not to use or consume animal products of any kind. Judaism strictly forbids
5184-494: Was used in Hawaii until 1819. Aside from formal rules, there are cultural taboos against the consumption of some animals. Within a given society, some meats will be considered to be not for consumption that are outside the range of the generally accepted definition of a foodstuff. Novel meats, i.e. animal-derived food products not familiar to an individual or to a culture, generally provoke a disgust reaction, which may be expressed as
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