Faithandfood Fact Files - Judaism

“…For I am the Lord who brought you up out of the land of Egypt…and you shall be holy, for I am holy; This is the law of the beast and the fowl…to distinguish between that which may be eaten and that which may not be eaten”.
Leviticus Chap.11

Forbidden ingredients
Main food beliefs
Vegetarianism
Eating in restaurants
Feasting and fasting
Links
Contact
About the writer

The Faithandfood Fact File bookmarks are the same for each religion. Compare this religion with the dietary beliefs of another faith by clicking on the name of the religion on the toolbar on the left.

Which ingredients are forbidden?

• Emulsifiers & Stabilisers of animal origin
• Polysorbates and Monostearates. E numbers 470s
• Glycerine and glycerides
• Anti caking agents such as Calcium Stearate and Magnesium Stearate (E572)
• Gelatin: This glutinous material is obtained from beef, pork and calf and is usually non Kosher.
• Carmine or Cochineal (E120) is a red colour derived from the cochineal beetle
• Prawns, shellfish, turbot skate and sturgeon are all examples of non-kosher fish.

What are the main laws or beliefs relating to food?
Kashrut (in Hebrew) is the system of Jewish dietary laws. Kosher (kashur in Hebrew) means 'fit, or proper for use' according to Jewish law. The opposite of Kosher, as applied to food in Treif (in Yiddish), or trefah (in Hebrew) meaning 'not suitable for use', or 'forbidden'. The short answer to why we observe dietary laws is: because the Torah says so. The Torah does not specify any reason for these laws, and for a Torah-observant, traditional Jew, there is no need for any other reason. We follow the dietary laws, in a similar way to Islam, in order to show our obedience to God.

Leviticus 11:3 states, “Whatsoever parteth the hoof, and is clovenfooted, and cheweth the cud, among the beasts, that shall ye eat.” Therefore, Kosher animals must have cloven hooves and chew the cud. They are slaughtered according to an especially humane method (Shechita); certain fats (tallow) and sinews are forbidden, and the meat is salted to remove all traces of blood. The Bible lists various birds of prey and other species of fowl that are forbidden. Only poultry with an ongoing tradition of kosher consumption such as duck, chicken, goose and Turkey, may be eaten. Only fish with fins and scales are kosher. Prawns, shellfish, turbot skate and sturgeon are all examples of non-kosher fish.

Meat and milk are never eaten in the same meal and different pots, crockery, cutlery and washing up equipment are used. Dairy food, even a cup of tea, may not be eaten until 3 hours after the consumption of meat or fowl. Other regulations affect wine, cheese and their derivatives such as wine vinegar and grape juice. All these products must be made under strict Rabbinical supervision.

Pots and pans, crockery and cutlery used for non-kosher food have absorbed some of the taste and are themselves considered non-kosher utensils.

Is there a link with vegetarianism?
The Hebrew Bible allows the eating of meat.

Nevertheless, all fruit and vegetables are kosher. However, consumption of flies and insects are strictly forbidden. Therefore all fruit and vegetables should be thoroughly washed and items that are commonly found infested must be carefully checked before eating. Special regulations apply to produce from the Holy Land.

In general, will people of this faith eat in a food outlet that serves food or drink that does not conform to their beliefs?
Religious Jews will only eat in establishments that have a Kosher “license” from the London Beth Din (Court of the Chief Rabbi) or similar rabbinical agency. Many hotels restaurants and airlines will provide special prepacked kosher meals which can be “matched” with the regular food on offer.

When and why do people of this faith feast and fast?
Jewish feast days include Rosh Hashanah, Sukkot, Hanukkah, Purim, Passover, and Shavout (dates vary because Judaism uses a lunar calendar). Specific foods are associated with the feasts, but may differ nationally.

Complete fast days include Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement) and Tisha b'Av (the day on which the destruction of the Jewish Temple took place). On tYom Kippur and Tisha b’Av, eating and drinking are forbidden for a 25-hour period, from sundown to sundown. Partial fast days (no food or water from sunrise to sunset) include Tzom Gedaliah, Tenth of Tevet and Seventeenth of Tamuz, Ta'anit Ester, and Ta'anit Bechorim. Fasting is performed to atone for sins and/or to make special requests to God.

Links to websites with further information:
http://www.kosher.org.uk
Also:
http://www.mnment.com/judaism/kashrut.php
http://judaism.about.com/library/3_askrabbi_c/
bl_milkmeat.htm
http://www.totse.com/en/religion/judaism/
kashrut.html

If you have any question about the dietary practises or beliefs in this faith, you may contact

Rabbi Jeremy Conway
London Beth Din,
Kashrut Division,
735 High Road,
London,
N12 0US
Tel: 020 8343 6253
Fax: 020 8343 6254
(Hours: 9am -5pm, Monday – Friday)
Email: gita@kosher.org.uk / jconway@kosher.org.uk

Written by Rabbi Jeremy Conway
Rabbi Conway is Executive Director of the London Beth Din Kashrut Division and the Director of the United Synagogue Religious Affairs Group, which incorporates the Office of the Chief Rabbi, the London Beth Din and the Kashrut Department. Under his leadership, the Kashrut Division successfully launched the Really Jewish Food Guide, the KLBD logo, a highly acclaimed website (www.kosher.org.uk), the recently published Kosher Nosh Guide and the Simcha Experience. Rabbi Conway was instrumental in the construction of the new North West London Eruv. He was formerly the Rabbi of the Beis Hamedrash Hagadol Synagogue in Leeds and the London Jewish Student Chaplain.

Note: Some people who are Jewish may not observe the dietary laws stated above. Prohibitions and restrictions even within a particular faith may change between denominations or branches. Please do not take this as an authoritative list. This page is meant as a guide only and are the beliefs of the writer.

The Faithandfood Fact File bookmarks are the same for each religion. Compare this religion with the dietary beliefs of another faith by clicking on the name of the religion on the toolbar on the left.

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