What foods do Jews eat?

Answer 1

Many people incorrectly believe that "kosher" is a style of cooking but this couldn't be further from the truth. Kosher simply refers to foods that are prepared following the laws of kashrut (Jewish dietary laws) which does not dictate the style of foods eaten by Jews outside of prohibiting certain types of foods. As such, religiously observant Jews will only those those foods that are Kosher.

The basic rules of kashrut are:

1. Land animals must have split hooves and chew their cud.

2. Fish must have scales and fins.

3. Birds must not be amongst the list of forbidden birds in the Torah and must not be hunters.

4. Meat and dairy cannot be combined in any way.

5. Consumption of blood is forbidden.

Now, to answer the question as to what foods Jews eat, this varies greatly depending on what part of the world said Jews are from. The types of foods eaten by Jews from Eastern Europe will be different from those in Southern Europe, from those in India, Northern Africa, Yemen, Iraq, Israel, etc.

Foods will even vary by region within the same part of the world, a dish that is eaten by Polish Jews may also be eaten by Russian Jews, however, the ingredients or how that specific dish is made will be different.

American Jews usually eat plenty of matzoh ball soup and latkes(potato pancakes) lox and bagels.

Israeli Jews eat middle eastern foods... humus... dolmades... different types of fish... cabbage rolls...

this is coming from an American Jew with lots of israeli friends. I also eat a kosher beef hot dog soup often.

Answer 2

In order to be kosher, food has to be prepared according to the kosher-laws (see Deuteronomy ch.14). These are explained in detail in the Talmud-volume of Chullin.
* Meat must be from those land animals which have split hooves and chew their cud (such as beef, venison and mutton).
Fish have to have scales and fins. Shellfish are not kosher.
Birds cannot be among those listed as forbidden in the Torah (Deuteronomy ch.14) and cannot be hunters/scavengers. In actual practice, today we eat only those species concerning which we have a tradition that they're permitted, such as domestic chicken, geese, pigeons and turkey.

* Animals must be slaughtered in the manner specified by Jewish law and must be free of all disease. In actual practice, those who keep kosher purchase meat which is certified as having been prepared in the kosher manner.
As much blood as possible must be removed from meat before cooking, since consumption of blood is forbidden (Leviticus ch.17). This is done at home or by the kosher butcher, through salting, soaking and rinsing.

* Dairy and meat cannot be combined in the same meal and there's a waiting period between eating one and then the other. After dairy: 1/2 hour. After meat: 6 hours for most Jewish communities.

* Fruits and vegetables should be checked to be sure they're free of bugs. Some Jews avoid cauliflower, asparagus, and the like, because of the difficulty in checking them.

Additionally, food must be prepared and handled following kashrut-laws and with kosher ingredients only. Processed foods should be labeled as having had kosher supervision during their processing. Any food that does not meet these requirements cannot be eaten by those who are religiously observant Jews.

See also the Related Links.

Link: Could you give me a list of kosher and non-kosher types of fish?

Link: Why do some Jews not keep kosher?

Link: The use of rennet

Answer 3

They had the manna (Exodus 16), as well as their livestock (Exodus 12, Numbers 32), plus whatever they purchased from the surrounding peoples (Talmud, Yoma 75b).See also the Related Link.

What was it like in the wilderness

Answer 4

They eat all kinds of thing like

Bread

Sheep

Fish

And they ate there cattle cows

Answer 5

grain.

Answer 6

peins