What does it mean to be a kosher?

Answer 1

Kosher means right or correct according to Jewish dietary law. In non-Hebrew-speaking countries, it usually refers to food that is kosher, meaning all food but land animals that don't chew their own cud (pig and others), shell-fish, and crustaceans.

Answer 2

It is very complicated to explain. Every food has its own rules. Milk cant be mixed with meat, and fish cant be eaten with meat. Most people wait 30 mins after eating dairy before eating meat, and 3 hours after meat before dairy. Even if food is kosher it must be prepared with uncontaminated supplies to remain kosher. Birds can't be wild birds and fish need to have fins and scales. Animals need to have split hooves and they need to chew their food twice like cows. After following these rules one must properly kill an animal with a flawless knife, with a sudden move, so the animal don't feel any pain. Then the lungs must be checked for diseases and many other body parts as well. Vegetables often need to be soaked in vinegar to kill and remove insects.

Answer 3

It means meat that was prepared according to the kosher-laws in the Torah (see Deuteronomy ch.14).
* Meat must be from those land animals which have split hooves and chew their cud (such as beef and mutton)
* Fish have to have scales and fins. The kosher diet excludes shellfish.
* Birds cannot be amongst those listed as forbidden in the Torah (Deuteronomy ch.14) and cannot be hunters/scavengers. In actual practice, today we eat only poultry-species concerning which we have a tradition that they're permitted, such as chicken 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 kosher.
* As much blood as possible must be removed from meat before cooking, since consumption of blood is forbidden (Leviticus ch.17). This is done by the kosher butcher.
* 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. Any food that does not meet these requirements cannot be eaten by those who are religiously observant. Foods which are purchased should be labeled as having had kosher supervision during their processing.

Answer 4

The word "kosher" literally means "fit."

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. Any food that does not meet these requirements cannot be eaten by those who are religiously observant. Foods which are purchased should be labeled as having had kosher supervision during their processing.

See also:

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

Why do some Jews not keep kosher?

Answer 5

The word kosher literally means `fit`and refers to any food item that is prepared following the laws of kashrut (Jewish dietary laws).

Answer 6

kosher literally means "fit" but in today it means something follows specific Jewish food laws

Answer 7

The literal meaning of the word 'kosher' is 'fit'. When food is kosher, the food in question was prepared, served, and consumed in accordance with the laws of kashrut (Jewish dietary laws).

Answer 8

It means fit and proper.