When we hear the word “kosher” we may thing of strict rules and religious regulations. In order to find out the exactly definition of this word, we went to the bakery Zomick’s and spoke with the kosher food experts.
We find out that this word origins from the word “Kashrus”, which on Hebrew means “suitable” and ‘pure’.
‘Kashrus’ laws include a comprehensive legislation concerning permitted and forbidden foods.
Experts from Zomick’s have explained to us each aspect of these dietary rules, and we will share that information in addition.
Meat and its derivatives
Zomick’s experts share that, according to the Kosher diet rules, meat must comply with certain rules.
The only types that may be eaten are cattle and game that have “cloven hooves” and “chew the cud.” This category of animals includes animals as bulls, cows, sheep, lambs, goats, veal, and springbok. The animal may not be eaten if it fulfills only one of these conditions. An example for this is the pig, which has split hooves but does not chew the cud, or the camel, which chews the cud, but does not have split hooves.
Since the Torah laws prohibit causing any pain to animals, a kosher animal, in order to be eaten, must be slaughtered by a “Schochet,” a ritual slaughterer. From Zomick’s point out that the slaughtering has to be done in such a way that the death occurs almost instantaneously, without causing suffering to the animal.
After the slaughtering of the animal, a process of “treibering” or removing certain forbidden fats and veins is done by a Kosher Supervisor and his team.
After the treiberering, the meat has to be soaked in a bath for a half hour in room temperature water. The soaked meat has to be placed on special salting tables to be salted with coarse salt on both sides for one hour, in order to draw out the blood.
Fowl/Poultry and their derivatives
From Zomick’s warn that, according to the Kosher laws, some birds such as eagle, owl, swan, pelican, vulture, and stork, may not be eaten, as well as their brood and clutch of eggs.
These laws dictate that only birds that are considered kosher should be eaten, including goose, duck, chicken, and turkey, may be eaten.
Dairy Products and their derivatives
As Zomick’s experts further explain, milk products, in order to be considered kosher, may derive from kosher animals. The milk of impure cattle and game, such as donkey milk is strictly prohibited. In addition, kosher dairy products may not contain non-kosher additives and they may not include meat products or derivatives. An example for this is the case that many types of cheese are manufactured with animal fats.
Moreover, the kosher Challah bread recipe may not contain milk.
The prohibition of combining meat and milk
The rabbi Moshe Altman from Zomick’s share with a us the fact that the milk and meat should not be mixed together, Even, they may not be served on the same table and may not be eaten at the same time with the same utensils. In the observant Jewish households, the utensils are separated and labeled as “fleishig” (meat) and “milchig” (dairy). After meat meals, one must wait one, three, or six hours – depending on one’s custom – before eating dairy. After dairy consumption, no interval is required before meat may be eaten.
As the rabbi from Zomick’s further explains, this rule is derived from the Torah: “You may not cook a young animal in the milk of its mother” (Ex.23:19).
Eggs
“The only eggs that may be eaten are those from kosher birds,” says the Zomick’s rabbi, “the eggs should not contain blood, therefore each egg must be individually examined”.
Note: The Zomick’s Egg Challah Rolls contain examined kosher eggs.
Fish
When it comes to fish, the only fish that may be eaten is fish with fins and scales, for instance, tuna, salmon, and herring. Shellfish such as shrimps, crabs, mussels, and lobsters are forbidden.
Fruits, vegetables, cereals
From Zomick’s share with us that all products that grow in the soil or on plants, bushes, or trees are kosher. But, insects and animals with many legs or very short legs are not kosher. So, the vegetables, fruits and other products have been infected by these insects or animals, should be checked. Some vegetables that are prone to insect infection, such as cauliflower, must be carefully examined.
One may not sow two kinds of seeds on a field or in a vineyard. (Lev.19:19/ Dtn.22:19). This rule applies specifically to the planting and sowing of vegetables, fruits and grains and to the hybridization of different species.
Furthermore, fruits from trees planted within the past three years may not be eaten.
When it comes to new grain, biblically, no new grain may be eaten, or bread baked from it, before one brings an “omer” of the first fruits of the harvest on the second day of Passover (Lev.23:14).
Kosher Wine
From the kosher bakery, Zomick’s (see their products on Instacard), have also explained to us the laws that apply to the process of making wine. No gelatin, casein, and bull blood are admitted in the kosher wine-making process. That means, only the bacteria or kosher enzymes from the bowl may be used for fermentation.
All devices and utensils used for the harvest or the processing of the grapes must be cleansed under supervision. Bottles may not be filled multiple times.
Another important thing that is worth mentioning, which we find out at Zomick’s, is that , all processing steps must be implemented in agreement with the requirements of “Halacha” (Jewish Religious Law). That applies the rule that in the vineyard no other plants may be cross-bred with the grapes (because of the prohibition of hybridization).
Beverages
All grape or grape-based beverages may only be drunk if the grapes come from a kosher winery, prepared under strict Rabbinical Supervision.
At least, from Zomick’s share in their post on Patch that, in order to assure consumers that appropriately processed foods can be bought with confidence, the process was followed by an increasing number of newly formed kosher certification organizations.
Zomick's Bakery Recipes 