Saturday, July 28, 2018

Kashrut And Orthodox Jewish News

By Carolyn Young


There is a lot to report about when it comes to topics such as this. Orthodox Jewish News abounds with what is happening in any community and around the world. Being of this denomination is not easy especially with what is going on in Israel and the anti semitism the world over. Be this as it may, it is still worthwhile discovering oneself in this religion and finding peace within its borders.

For one, keeping the laws of Kashrut is an important one for many Orthodox members of this faith. Its laws are plentiful and each must be adhered to in order to fulfil this mitzvah or commandment in its entirety. This means that only products may be consumed that have been approved by a Beth Din or Jewish Court of Law.

Apart from this, basically only clean animals may be consumed when it comes to meat products and this means that they must chew the cud and be cloven hoofed. Typically only cattle, goats and sheep may be consumed but first they must undergo slaughtering which is carried out by a qualified shochet or ritual slaughterer. To become one takes many years of studying and learning the practicalities of what goes with this job or designation.

Laws from the Written Torah or Bible as well as those that have been passed down verbally through the generations must be strictly adhered to in order to render an animal kosher for consumption. Apart from this the meat is also salted and drained of excess blood before allowed to be passed for consumption. It is thoroughly checked for any sort of disease which may render it not clean and this too is carried out by the shochet.

If one is a meat eater then only certain animals can be consumed. These must have a cloven hoof and chew the cud. This does not mean that one can go out and purchase any meat of this sort but must assure that they are animals that have been slaughtered by a shochet or ritual slaughterer also administered by a Court of Law.

Not only must this person be well versed in all the laws pertaining to kashrut but they must also pray three times a day, keep the Shabbat, keep the laws and practices surrounding the Festivals and must be certified to do so by a Court of Law. The Shabbat is the seventh day of rest that all Jews keep to commemorate the six days of creation where God rested on the seventh day and ceased from creating. It is because of this that no manner of work is done on this day.

All updates to products that many be consumed are handled by the Beth Din. These do change from time to time and a booklet is put out describing what products may be consumed and which cannot. It is governed by strict laws so that no mistakes are made and Jews can be confident that they are purchasing only kosher products.

It is not an easy path to follow especially if not born into it. There is a beauty behind it and this is why most practice it. It is for many one that is crucial in meeting the criteria of being an Orthodox Religious Jew.




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