Tweet
Essay time! All of the following comes from the knowledge I've gained from a lifetime of being involved, in various ways, with Judaism. Some of it may be filtered through the understanding or beliefs of the people (ex-girlfriend/rabbinical student, husband/grandson of a cantor, Jewish-born aunt/historian) I've known, and may not be 100% accurate as someone else sees it. Please keep in mind that although I considered conversion, my beliefs were never strong enough to warrant it, so my knowledge is truly that of an interested layperson.
If there's a blood spot in the egg, it is to be considered treyf (or non-kosher). Blood is not allowed in any kosher preparation. It's why kosher butchering is so difficult - there are a number of rules about how the animal is killed, how the blood is drained (and how it's determined to be completely drained), and how the meat is packaged and stored. The rules are strict enough that a Muslim can eat kosher food and still be following the rules of halal. Given that in a lot of places in America, it's more likely to find a kosher preparation than a halal one, this is a convenient allowance.
Nearly all the laws are the equivalent of food safety + humane treatment. It's really quite fascinating. And the interpretation of the laws differs depending on the system of beliefs held. Someone who is extremely observant (occasionally called Ultra-Orthodox or frum; I believe Shalom would fall into this category) would follow the laws to the letter as well as the spirit, as they were originally laid out in Leviticus. In the previously mentioned story about a genetically-engineered pig, they'd likely fall on the "it's still a pig" end of the spectrum. They may also probably lump poultry or other non-mammal meat in with the glatt category, to be on the safe side. Someone who falls into the Conservative movement would be observant, but more to the spirit side of things, rather than the letter (although I believe some Conservatives, such as my ex, fall more on the Orthodox side). The Conservative movement actually tends to re-interpret the laws after much debate and discussion amongst their rabbinical council. It's quite the spectrum of beliefs, and many sermons at shul raise controversial issues regarding the laws.
Reform and Reconstructionist sects are really quite different. Many Reform Jews don't follow the laws of Kashruth at all, believing them to be an artifact of a different time. The majority belief is usually that the Torah is to be interpreted solely based on current societal constraints, and that anything can be rendered invalid by modern laws and regulations, i.e. dietary laws are "pointless" because of modern food safety. Reconstructionists (and I say this, having had an uncle-by-marriage who was a Reconstructionist cantor) are the hippies of Judaism. Many of them follow abbreviated dietary laws, though usually more along the lines of vegetarianism or veganism. To wit: there's a rather large Reconstructionist community in Woodstock, NY.
Nearly all the dietary laws are laid out in Leviticus; yes, the same place where the proscriptions on homosexuality are established. The laws are mostly of the "don't do this" sort, rather than the "do this." It's easier to proscribe something than it is to allow it. If you have a bible or Torah at home, read through Leviticus. It's a fascinating study of how to set up a dietary culture to ensure the highest level of food safety in a time before refrigeration.
If there's a blood spot in the egg, it is to be considered treyf (or non-kosher). Blood is not allowed in any kosher preparation. It's why kosher butchering is so difficult - there are a number of rules about how the animal is killed, how the blood is drained (and how it's determined to be completely drained), and how the meat is packaged and stored. The rules are strict enough that a Muslim can eat kosher food and still be following the rules of halal. Given that in a lot of places in America, it's more likely to find a kosher preparation than a halal one, this is a convenient allowance.
Nearly all the laws are the equivalent of food safety + humane treatment. It's really quite fascinating. And the interpretation of the laws differs depending on the system of beliefs held. Someone who is extremely observant (occasionally called Ultra-Orthodox or frum; I believe Shalom would fall into this category) would follow the laws to the letter as well as the spirit, as they were originally laid out in Leviticus. In the previously mentioned story about a genetically-engineered pig, they'd likely fall on the "it's still a pig" end of the spectrum. They may also probably lump poultry or other non-mammal meat in with the glatt category, to be on the safe side. Someone who falls into the Conservative movement would be observant, but more to the spirit side of things, rather than the letter (although I believe some Conservatives, such as my ex, fall more on the Orthodox side). The Conservative movement actually tends to re-interpret the laws after much debate and discussion amongst their rabbinical council. It's quite the spectrum of beliefs, and many sermons at shul raise controversial issues regarding the laws.
Reform and Reconstructionist sects are really quite different. Many Reform Jews don't follow the laws of Kashruth at all, believing them to be an artifact of a different time. The majority belief is usually that the Torah is to be interpreted solely based on current societal constraints, and that anything can be rendered invalid by modern laws and regulations, i.e. dietary laws are "pointless" because of modern food safety. Reconstructionists (and I say this, having had an uncle-by-marriage who was a Reconstructionist cantor) are the hippies of Judaism. Many of them follow abbreviated dietary laws, though usually more along the lines of vegetarianism or veganism. To wit: there's a rather large Reconstructionist community in Woodstock, NY.
Nearly all the dietary laws are laid out in Leviticus; yes, the same place where the proscriptions on homosexuality are established. The laws are mostly of the "don't do this" sort, rather than the "do this." It's easier to proscribe something than it is to allow it. If you have a bible or Torah at home, read through Leviticus. It's a fascinating study of how to set up a dietary culture to ensure the highest level of food safety in a time before refrigeration.
then they went with cheese as well, because it is made of milk ... 
]
Comment