What Is Kosher and What Does It Mean?
Kosher (or kashrut) refers to a system of Jewish dietary laws that define which foods are permitted and how they must be prepared to meet religious standards. These laws are rooted in the Torah (Leviticus and Deuteronomy) and expanded in rabbinic texts.
Key principles of kosher
- Permitted animals: only mammals that chew their cud and have split hooves, and fish with fins and scales.
- Ritual slaughter (shechita): precise slaughter by a trained shochet.
- Separation of meat and dairy: distinct equipment, storage and preparation areas.
- Ingredient and equipment standards: all ingredients must be kosher; equipment used for non-kosher items must undergo kosherization.
Kosher laws also attract many non-Jewish consumers, thanks to their strict, transparent standards.