The Complexities of Kashrut

By Shira Novack
KOC Editor
Binghamton University

There are many things that can be said about Jewish food or Jews and food. We have foods for practically every holiday. Even Yom Kippur has food associated with it, since we end the holiday with a break fast meal. As Jews, food is an intrinsic part of both our religion and our culture.

Part of what defines us as Jews are our dietary laws, which regulate everything related to food. The well-known biblical line, "You shall not seethe a kid in its mother's milk" (Exodus 23:19; Deuteronomy 14:21), is commonly stated as the basis for the entire kashrut system. This is partially true, since this line is cited as the reason for not mixing meat and dairy together as well as the basis for separate dishes, silverware, etc. Additionally, there are prohibitions against eating pigs, shellfish, and other animals.

There are ways to explain kashrut simply to give someone a basic idea of what it is, but I believe it quickly becomes evident that kashrut is much more complex than it is simple. We have to think about what we can eat, how it is prepared, and also how we clean it up to keep everything kosher. Kashrut is further complicated in the way that we practice it as Jewish people. Without getting too specific, there are the categories of Jews who will only eat at kosher restaurants and have strictly kosher homes, Jews who keep kosher both in their homes and outside but eat in non-kosher restaurants, Jews who keep kosher in their homes but not outside of it and those don't keep the laws of kashrut at all. Even among those who don't keep kosher there are people who still won't mix meat and milk or those who won't eat bacon, and the possibilities go on and on.

Consciously or unconsciously, we are defined as Jews by our food and the way that we relate to it. Every time that I go out to eat with my friends (unless it's a kosher restaurant) I scan the menu quickly and come up with a list of possible foods for me to order. In these instances I am consciously reminded that the reason for this is that I am a Jew and I follow the laws of kashrut. Everything I prepare and eat is a constant reminder of my religion, whether I am consciously acknowledging that fact or not.

Trying to sort out keeping kosher on campus? Try KOACH's basic primer here.

[Posted 1/6/11]