Kashrut

The dietary laws followed by Israel's Jewish majority (people of other faiths, including Christians and Muslims, also live there) are called kashrut. They detail what can and can't be eaten and how allowed foods must be prepared.

Any food that satisfies these laws is deemed kosher, while non-kosher food is called treif. Simply blessing, eating or cooking allowed foods doesn't automatically make them kosher. Particular use of utensils and cookware, as well as rules for proper slaughtering of animals, are critical factors.

Generally, to follow kashrut, the only land animals that can be consumed are ones with cloven hooves that chew their cud (e.g., cows, sheep, bison and deer). Water animals must have fins and scales, so mollusks and crustaceans like scallops and shrimp are forbidden. As for birds, consuming birds of prey and scavengers is not permitted, so chickens, ducks, etc. are safe options. All insects, rodents, reptiles and amphibians are prohibited.

All animals from flocks and herds must be killed in ritual slaughter. No animals killed by disease or other animals can be eaten. All blood must be properly drained and certain parts of the animal can't be consumed. Any derivatives of forbidden animals, such as their milk or fat, also aren't allowed.

All fruits and vegetables are permitted but cannot be tainted by insects, and they--along with fish, eggs and grains--can be eaten with meat and dairy. Birds and mammals, however, cannot be consumed with dairy. Any utensils and cookware used to heat those meats also cannot come into contact with dairy.

The rules are extensive and complex, and I've only highlighted the basics here, which to me seem cumbersome already! But, many Jews manage to keep kosher even though most of the world doesn't. Even in areas without a dense Jewish population, kosher restaurants exist and several grocery items are certified kosher, which leaves only the preparation to worry about.

The Torah doesn't say why these rules were created or must be followed. But, by making each meal a religious ritual, kosher Jews reinforce their faith every time they eat.