Do Jews have dietary restrictions

Answer 1

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 2

The dietary laws for Jews are called 'kashrut'. The laws of kashrut specify what food is and isn't allowed according to Judaism, food that meets these rules is called 'kosher'. Religiously observant Jews will not eat anything that isn't kosher.

The core rules are:

1. Animals must have both split hooves and chew their cud.

2. Fish must have scales and fins.

3. Birds must not be hunters/scavengers and must not be one of the forbidden species specified in the Torah.

4. Meat and dairy must be kept completely separate.

5. Animals cannot display any sign of injury and disease.

6. Animals and birds must be slaughtered in a specific manner and drained of all blood.

7. Consumption of blood is forbidden.

Answer 3

Religiously observant Jews will not eat any food that is not kosher. The core rules of kashrut (dietary laws) are:

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

* Fish have to have scales and fins.

* Birds cannot be amongst those listed as forbidden in the Torah and cannot be hunters/scavengers

* Animals must be killed in a specific manner and must be free of all disease

* As much blood as possible must be removed from meat as consumption of blood is forbidden

* Dairy and meat cannot be combined in the same meal and there's a waiting period between eating one then the other.

* Orthodox Jews and some Conservative Jews will not eat certain fruits and vegetables because it's too difficult to guarantee that all bugs have been washed away (cauliflower, asparagus, and the like).

Additionally, food must be prepared and handled following kashrut. Any food that does not meet these requirements cannot be eaten by those who are religiously observant.