Kashrut is the system of Jewish religious rules and regulations governing the consumption of food and drink. These laws are based on the Torah and further developed in the Talmud. The basic principles of kashrut govern what can and cannot be eaten, and how food must be prepared and processed to be considered kosher (permitted for consumption).

The basic principles of kashrut:

1. Prohibited foods:

– Non-Kosher Meat: Includes meat from animals that are not kosher (e.g., pork, seafood) and meat from animals that have not been slaughtered in accordance with kashrut.

– Dairy and meat products must not be mixed. According to kashrut, foods containing milk may not be cooked and eaten with meat. After eating meat, one must wait a certain amount of time (usually several hours) before dairy products can be eaten.

– Blood: All blood must be removed from the meat, which is accomplished through certain salting and soaking methods.

– Non-Kosher Foods: Foods that have not been tested according to the laws of kashrut (e.g., wine or bread made without observing these laws).

2. Kosher animal species:

– In order for an animal to be kosher, it must meet certain requirements: having split hooves and chewing the cud (e.g., cows, sheep).

– Fish are considered kosher if they have scales and fins (e.g. salmon, tuna). Seafood such as shellfish and crustaceans are considered non-kosher.

3. Cooking Process:

– For a food to be considered kosher, it must be prepared in a compliant manner, including the use of utensils and cooking utensils that were not used to prepare meat and dairy products.

4. Gluten and other products:

– Kashrut also regulates the use of certain additives and ingredients such as gluten, coloring and preservatives. Products with such additives must also be certified kosher.

Kashrut Certification:

Products that meet these standards are usually labeled with a special mark, the kosher mark (e.g., U (Orthodox Union), OU, Kof-K, etc.). These marks confirm that the product has been tested and conforms to the laws of kashrut.

Conclusion:

Kashrut encompasses all food and eating habits to ensure spiritual purity and Torah observance. Observance is important for many Jews in their daily lives, including choosing foods, cooking, and even choosing restaurants or stores to shop in.