What Foods Are Not Kosher: Understanding the Laws of Kashruth

Overview of Kashruth

The term kosher refers to foods that are considered suitable or fitting to be eaten by observant Jews. This term comes from the Hebrew word kosher, meaning 'fit'. G-d provided several dietary laws for Jews as documented in the books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy. These laws were subsequently expanded and clarified in the Talmud.

General Principles of Kashruth

Several key areas need to be considered when determining whether a food is kosher:

Dairy

Dairy products must come from kosher land animals. Some opinions suggest that the animal must be milked by a Jew or at least under Jewish supervision to prevent the risk of non-kosher milk additives. While some concern remains in countries like the USA, the need for such supervision has been widely debated.

Bread

For bread to be kosher, some opinions require it to be baked by a Jew. In the land of Israel, the bread must be baked from old grain, meaning grain that has started growing after the 16th of Nissan. Within the land of Israel, this applies to all vegetables and fruits as well. Vegetables and fruits never qualify as kosher if they grow on a tree during the first three years of its life.

Wine

Wine is only considered kosher if it is produced or supervised by a religious Jew. Some maintain that wine ceases to be kosher if it is touched by someone who is not Jewish. As a result, bottled kosher wine is often boiled (mevushal) to prevent this issue.

Meat

The most complex area concerning kosher food involves meat. Meat can only come from kosher animals, which must meet specific criteria such as ruminating and having a cleft hoof. Animals that have sustained a life-threatening injury or are born with defects (terefah) are not considered kosher. The knife used for slaughtering must have a smooth blade and make a sawing motion, not a stabbing one. Additionally, the sciatic nerve must be removed from the hindquarters, and fats on certain internal organs must be removed. Once prepared, meat must be salted to remove blood and, in some cases, cooked by a Jew to ensure no non-kosher ingredients are added.

Conclusion and Further Reading

The principles of kashruth are complex and require careful adherence. While these laws are thorough, they are not exhaustive, and detailed understanding can be found in the works of scholars like the Rambam and Artscroll Halachah Series.

For a more in-depth discussion of kosher laws and a possible workaround for farming during the sabbatical year,consult The Laws of Kashrus by Binyomin Forst.