Why don't Jews eat certain foods?

Answer 1

Judaism's food restrictions were dictated by God and are recorded in The Bible, primarily in Deuteronomy 14.

The reason for the dietary laws is explicitly stated in the Bible, alongside the details. The reason is: In order to be holy.

The reader who rolls his eyes when he sees that, or glosses over it because it's so far removed from anything real in his life, only goes to show how far removed we have become.

Answer 2

As we all know, Jew follow the Torah which consists of the five books of Moses. Within the Torah are 613 'mitzvot' or guidelines which provide the instructions for how Jews are meant to live life in a righteous manner. These rules enforce an awareness of our place in the world and how we affect the world and how it affects us. Many of the rules regarding food consumption are related to treating animals in a humane manner (slaughtering the animal in as painless a way as possible, not cooking a baby animal in its own mother's milk, etc). Other rules are related to keeping separate from other communities (not eating creators deemed unfit for consumption that other groups would eat). In addition to the core guidelines found in the Torah (many of which are light on the details), there are the 'halachot' (laws) that explain how to implement the guidelines, these laws are referred to as 'kashrut'.

Today, just as it was historically, following the rules of kashrut is just one aspect of how Jews are meant to live righteously. Religiously observant Jews keep kashrut as a way of elevating their souls thereby becoming closer to HaShem (The Creator).

Answer 3

In order to be kosher, food has to be prepared according to the kosher-laws (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

Secular answer

The kosher dietary laws were designed to preserve health standards, and shellfish and pork don't make the cut.

Jewish answer

In order to be kosher, food has to be prepared according to the kosher-laws (see Deuteronomy ch.14), which were commanded by God, for whatever reason He saw fit. 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).

* Animals must be slaughtered in the manner specified by Jewish law and must be free of all disease.

Blood must be removed from meat before cooking, 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.

* Fruits and vegetables should be checked to be sure they're free of bugs.

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.

Answer 5

The Kosher rules governing which foods could be eaten, how they had to be prepared and other such dietary laws primarily functioned as a way of differentiating the Jews from other groups in the area.

Some theologians, historians and archaeologists theorize that these laws may have also served sanitation/health and other purposes, but this is a far from settled debate.

Answer:Jews have rules of kosher food because their Torah commands it (Deuteronomy ch.14). These, as well as all the contents of the Torah, have various physical and other benefits, but the main reason for observing them is to do God's will.

Answer 6

Attached is a food list, it is not complete but it should give you a good idea of what they can and cannot eat.

Answer 7

Jewish food laws, called kashrut, are based on the Torah (Deuteronomy ch.14). They are a part of the path given to us by God.

Answer 8

The kosher dietary laws are part of the Mosaic laws received from G-d by the early Israelites as part of the covenant between the Jewish people and G-d.

Answer 9

Because God said so (Deuteronomy ch.14).