The concept of "kosher" is used to refer to products which are allowed to use kashrut - Jewish law. Rules can be quite strict, for example in food is forbidden to consume fish without scales and fins, seafood, pork Pork - meat guide   and rabbit. Combinations of products is also strictly regulated.

Kashrut

Kosher food is called food that meets the requirements of kashrut. Kashrut - a set of rules that determine including the suitability of certain food products. Basic regulations concerning kashrut were given in the Torah, in addition, there are a lot of rules of a recognized Jewish authorities.

Conventionally, all foods can be divided into kosher (allowed to use), non-kosher (which can not be used for religious reasons) and basically inedible (to refer to them the term "PSUL"). Thus the use of non-food products is not a violation of kashrut and therefore sin.

Kashrut requirements can vary considerably in different areas of Judaism. As a result, different and lists of banned or approved products in different religious communities. However, the basic principles remain the same.

Kosher food varieties are divided into three main groups: meat, dairy, and all other kinds of products. Is used instead of meat and dairy products (such as beef stroganoff Beef Stroganoff - a win-win   or meat in French) is prohibited. Dairy products can be used only a few hours (dates may vary in different communities from one to six hours) after the meat. The meat can be eaten half an hour after dairy products (except cheese, after their use will have to wait a few hours).

During Passover kashrut stricter requirements: among other things to eat forbidden to use and even keep at home some of the products, including all cereals, some flour products, some beverages, and foods containing malt.

Kosher meat

Most restrictions associated with meat products, which must be made from special meat and special technology. Kosher meat is considered only land animals. In addition, the animal must necessarily be a herbivore and artiodactyl (cloven hooves). These requirements are met cows, goats, sheep, and wild animals such as elk, gazelle and even giraffes. Meat also other animals, especially pigs, hare (rabbit) and camel food use is strictly prohibited.

Signs of Kosher Birds The Torah does not specify, but it gives a list of types, unfit for consumption. This list is, for example, birds of prey such as the eagle, pelican, and the owl. Since the identification of all the birds mentioned in the Pentateuch is not possible, modern Jews eat only poultry. Kosher ducks, chickens, geese, quails and pigeons, which are used as food since ancient times, is considered to be confirmed by centuries of tradition.

Kosher eggs is determined by their origin - it is clear that usable egg can only carry a kosher bird. In addition, attention is paid to such grounds as a form of eggs: one end to be sharpened and the other obtuse. Forbidden to eat eggs with blood clots in the yolk. These eggs can be eaten, only the pre-clearing them from the traces of blood.

The lack of blood in the product - a necessary requirement kosher. Eat food in the blood is forbidden. Therefore, slaughter must be carried out according to special rules. Interestingly, in some European countries this method of slaughter is prohibited by the law on the protection of animals. Implement it in accordance with the rules of Halacha (Jewish law) should only trained miner, the movement of the knife should be smooth, at a special trajectory. The knife has to be specially prepared, and the animal (of course, the land, and cloven-hoofed herbivorous) - great. For the final purification of the blood of the meat is further soaked in water, sprinkle with salt and washed.

The carcass of an animal examined experts who identify the disease, making the non-kosher meat, such as hemophilia. In addition, the back of the carcass is cleaned of veins, which eat prohibited.

The names of some animals referred to in connection with Tore kosher not currently known. Thus, researchers have failed to date, for example, to identify animals or birds such as "bald locust", "the cricket", "ferret", "homet" and others. Therefore, to avoid mistakes, many Jews are trying to focus not only on kashrut, but on tradition.

Other products

Kosher fish recognize all the inhabitants of reservoirs. Kosher fish must have fins and scales, and the scales should be easily separated. In addition, kosher fish must spawn have the backbone and gills. Thus, catfish, sturgeon, shark, eel food consumed can not. Sturgeon caviar also applies to non-kosher products. Under the ban and all crustaceans and molluscs.

Eat amphibians, reptiles and insects (except locusts and its variants) is not allowed. In connection with this product should be thoroughly checked for the presence of insects or their larvae: sift the flour, groats iterate, fruits and vegetables thoroughly washed and treated. You can not have any waste products of insects except for honey The benefits of honey: tasty recovery Which according to kosher is a product of plant origin.

Kosher wines depends on compliance with certain laws in its manufacture. For example, it is forbidden to make wine from grapes planted at least three years ago, and in the production may only be the Jews who observe the Sabbath.

Maria Bykov