Kosher (or kosher) is a term referring to foods that are adequate or allowed under the food laws of Judaism.
The word of Yiddish origin (Indo-European language that was adopted by the Jews) kosher literally means "permitted" or "appropriate", being used within the kashrut, a set of dietary duties established by Jewish law (halakha).
kosher food
The laws that determine the kosher diet they are quite complex and demanding, all being derived mainly from the two main books of the Torah (sacred book for the Jews): Leviticus and Deuteronomy.
Some of the basic rules of kashrut include:
- Meat and milk should not be mixed or eaten together;
- All the animal's blood must be drained before being consumed;
- Forbidden to consume pork, shellfish and seafood;
- Only fish with scales and fins can be eaten;
- Grape products should only be consumed if they are produced by a Jew;
- Prohibited the ingestion of insects and worms;
- Fruits, vegetables and vegetables must be thoroughly examined and washed before consumption to avoid ingesting insects or parasites that are considered prohibited under Jewish law;
All foods that are not considered kosher are called treif, which means “forbidden” in the translation from Hebrew to Portuguese.
There is a “ritual” that must also be followed when killing animals fit for consumption by Jews who follow kashrut.
The animals must be completely healthy and all their blood must be drained before consumption, in addition to the elimination of certain organs and parts of the body that are prohibited.
To "purify" the meat, that is, filter all the blood, a special type of salt called kosher salt is used. Kosher salt has larger and more crystalline grains than traditional kitchen salts and is commonly used to treat and preserve meat and fish.
read all about judaism.
kosher certificate
Some companies issue certificates attesting to compliance with all processes that are part of the Jewish food laws.
In Brazil, foods that have the letter “U” in a circle on their packaging means they have been certified by the Orthodox Union as kosher food.
The term “stop” is used in packaging when that product does not contain milk, meat or their derivatives.
Kosher and Halal
Like Judaism, Islam also has a system of food laws, called the halal.
O halal it is all the food allowed for consumption by the Koran, the holy book of the Islamic religion.
The halal diet rules are very similar to kosher, and meat consumption is also prohibited. of pigs, dogs, cats, animals that have fangs, that are pestilential or repulsive, by example.
The halal slaughter ritual is very specific and rigorous, with the entire process having to be accompanied by Muslim inspectors who guarantee compliance with the laws.
See also the meaning of Islam.
