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"Kosher"
is
the
term
used
to
describe
food
prepared
in
accordance
with
the
dietary
guidelines
of
Jewish
law.
Kosher
foods
are
not
'blessed'
by
rabbis
or
other
religious
officials.
Food
that
is
not
kosher
according
to
Jewish
law
is
referred
to
as "treyf."
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There
is
some
disagreement
over
why
Jewish
people
eat
kosher
foods.
The
spiritual
text
of
Judaism,
the
Torah,
describes
the
kosher
diet,
and
followers
of
this
text
often
follow
this
set
of
dietary
guidelines.
Others,
however,
may
follow
a
kosher
diet
simply
because
of
its
proposed
health
benefits.
Diet
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Certain
animals
may
not
be
eaten
at
all.
This
restriction
includes
flesh,
organs,
eggs
and
milk
of
the
forbidden
animals.
According
to
the
Torah,
any
animal
that
has
cloven
hooves
and
chews
its
cud
is
acceptable
to
eat,
including
sheep,
cattle,
goats
and
deer.
Any
animal
that
does
not
have
both
of
these
qualities
is
not
allowed,
including,
camel,
the
hare
and
pig.
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Seafood
can
only
be
eaten
if
it
has
fins
and
scales.
Shellfish,
such
as
lobsters,
oysters,
shrimp,
clams
and
crabs
are
not
kosher.
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Of
the
animals
that
may
be
eaten,
the
bird
and
mammals
must
be
killed
in
accordance
with
Jewish
law.
Animals
that
die
of
natural
causes
or
are
killed
by
other
animals
are
not
allowed
to
be
eaten.
There
must
be
no
disease
or
flaws
in
the
organs
of
the
animal
at
the
time
of
slaughtering.
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Ritual
slaughter
is
referred
to
as "shechitah."
The
person
that
performs
the
slaughter
is
known
as
the
"shochet."
The
method
of
slaughter
is a
quick,
deep
stroke
across
the
throat
with
a
perfectly
sharp
blade.
This
form
of
slaughtering
also
allows
for
the
rapid
drainage
of
blood.
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In
regards
to
birds,
the
Torah
does
not
list
guidelines.
Rather,
it
just
lists
birds
that
are
forbidden.
The
only
birds
permitted
are
chicken,
geese,
duck
and
turkey.
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All
reptiles
are
forbidden
by
Jewish
law.
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All
blood
must
be
drained
from
the
meat
or
broiled
out
of
it
before
it
is
eaten.
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Certain
parts
of
permitted
animals
are
not
allowed
to
be
eaten.
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Meat
cannot
be
eaten
with
dairy.
Fish,
eggs,
fruits,
vegetables
and
grains
can
be
eaten
with
either
dairy
or
meat.
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Utensils
that
have
come
into
contact
with
any
meat
cannot
be
used
with
dairy.
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Utensils
that
have
come
in
contact
with
a
non-kosher
food
cannot
be
used
with
a
kosher
food
and
vice
versa.
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Grape
products
made
by
non-Jewish
people
may
not
be
eaten.
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