What is kosher food and why is it important?

Answer 1

Being kosher is a Jewish tradition that has been adopted ever since the mention of keeping kosher in the religious book, called the Talmud. Most of these dietary concerns are not essential for staying healthy, however, it is believed that during the time of writing the Talmud (approximately 1700 years ago) keeping kosher could prevent unnecessary disease. For this reason, pork is prohibited because pigs are naturally seen to be dirty animals, as they roll around in mud and their own feces.

Orthodox Jewish law states that the duration of time between digesting meat and dairy is six hours, but that number is arguable. In Jewish mysticism, also known as Kabbalah, eating dairy and meat together is not allowed because milk symbolizes life and meat symbolizes death. Much, if not most of Jewish dietary restrictions are purely based on traditions and interpretation.

Answer 2

We don't know for certain. What we do is that, over the thousands of years in which Jews have been eating kosher food, it has become a very important part of Jewish identity and nowadays many people - even non-religious Jews - keep kosher just as an expression of their Jewishness, even if they don't believe in God.

Religious Jews, who believe that the Torah is God's word, keep kosher because the instruction to do so (Deuteronomy ch.14) forms part of the Torah laws to which Jews must abide as part of the covenant (agreement) made between God and themselves. As such, it is believed that God Himself asks us to keep kosher.

Answer 3

The main reason is because it is commanded in the Torah (Deuteronomy ch.14). Also, it is one of the major pillars of identifying as a Jew.

Like most other commandments of a practical nature (such as Shabbat observance, and prayer times), it is designed to create a natural personal rhythm and quality to make the Jew more connected to the Divine.

Answer 4

The term "kosher food" refers to any foods that are made and produced according to the requirements of Jewish Law. It is only important to the extent that you are a person who follows Jewish Law and, therefore, wants to only eat kosher food.

Answer 5

Because God ordered the Jews not to eat anything that isn't kosher (Deuteronomy ch.14), so without kosher food they'd be hungry.

Answer 6

Judaism is about how we live our lives. Kashrut is a part of that way of life, since it is in our Torah (Deuteronomy ch.14).

Answer 7

Firstly, G-d specifically instructed the Jewish people the parameters of their diet. Secondly, non kosher food harms the Jewish soul.

Answer 8

The Torah instructs the Jews to observe the food laws in order

to be holy, which certainly sounds like an important reason.

Answer 9

Because God commanded it.