What Do Jewish People Eat?
Observant Jews follow the Jewish Dietary Laws, or kashrut, which determines which foods are permissible to eat or kosher. The dietary laws fall into several categories, which animals are allowable, how they are slaughtered, and which goods can be combined. However, there are also traditional Jewish foods, which may or may not be kosher, that are associated with certain holidays and celebrations.
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Kosher Meat
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Meat from animals that have cloven (split) hooves and chew their cud are permitted, such as cattle, sheep, goat, bison and deer. Forbidden meats are pork, camel and rabbit.
Kosher Fish and Fowl
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Any fish that has scales and gills is considered kosher. Shellfish, which have neither, is not kosher. Any bird except for scavengers, is considered kosher.
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Kosher Slaughter
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Only animals slaughtered instantly by severing the esophagus are considered kosher. Ritual slaughterers then inspect the organs for evidence of disease and drain the blood.
Dairy and Vegetables
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All vegetables are considered kosher. Dairy products are also kosher, as long as they are not from forbidden animals. Dairy and meat may not be eaten in the same meal in a kosher household.
Reasons for Dietary Laws
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There is considerable debate about the reason for dietary laws. One common belief is that they arose as a health measure in times before refrigeration and food preservation. Others claim that obeying the laws of kashrut is a spiritual discipline, and also reinforces Jewish identity.
Jewish Foods
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Like many other ethnic groups, Jews enjoy many traditional foods, such as lox, bagels, blintzes, and matzo ball soup, some of which are now routine American favorites. There are also foods associated with specific holidays, such as potato latkes (pancakes) for Chanukah and matzos for Passover.
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