Kosher- Food Laws

Question 1

What does it mean to be “Kosher”?

Answer 1

• Kosher foods are foods that can be eaten by Jewish people. It is also used to refer to the purity of objects like Torah scrolls.
  -Kosher food rules can be found in the Torah. They outline a list of foods that are acceptable to eat.
  -e.g. non-kosher foods would be pig products such as bacon

Question 2

What does the Torah teach Jews about what they can eat?

Answer 2

“any animal that chews the cud - you may eat”

Question 3

How does following Kosher food laws influence a Jew’s life?

Answer 3

Many Orthodox Jews will try to keep all the Kosher food rules. This changes their daily lives as they must prepare food very carefully and be mindful of what they are eating at every meal.

Question 4

What is an example of a kosher food law?

Answer 4

-Meat and dairy cannot be eaten together
-Many Orthodox Jews would never eat a cheeseburger for example

Question 5

Why does the Torah say about eating dairy and meat together and how would this influence a Jew’s life?

Answer 5

-“You shall not boil a kid (baby goat) in its mother’s milk”
-Orthodox Jews would make sure that their kitchens had separate areas for preparing dairy and meat foods. This could include separate sinks or utensils

Question 6

What are the advantages of keeping kosher rules?

Answer 6

-allows Jews to follow mitzvot which in turn connect them more to God
-it is a physical manifesto on of faith to show commitment to God

Question 7

What are the disadvantages of keeping kosher?

Answer 7

-it can be very expensive to get kosher food
-those who live in small communities may not have access to food or supermarkets
-preparation of food must be done in advance