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Week 5 – Dietary lawsGood as an introduction: the meaning of these key terms:KosherKashrutTrefahParve (or Parev)The laws of kashrut, also referred to as the Jewish dietary laws, are the basis for the kosher observance. These rules were set forth in the Torah and elucidated in the Talmud. The Hebrew word "kosher" literally means "fit," and the kosher laws concern themselves with which foods are considered fit to eat. Those who keep kosher follow Jewish dietary laws.Deuteronomy 14: 3-193 Do not eat any detestable thing. 4 These are the animals you may eat: the ox, the sheep, the goat, 5 the deer, the gazelle, the roe deer, the wild goat, the ibex, the antelope and the mountain sheep.[a] 6 You may eat any animal that has a divided hoof and that chews the cud. 7 However, of those that chew the cud or that have a divided hoof you may not eat the camel, the hare or the hyrax. Although they chew the cud, they do not have a divided hoof; they are ceremonially unclean for you. 8 The pig is also unclean; although it has a divided hoof, it does not chew the cud. You are not to eat their meat or touch their carcasses.9 Of all the creatures living in the water, you may eat any that has fins and scales. 10 But anything that does not have fins and scales you may not eat; for you it is unclean.11 You may eat any clean bird. 12 But these you may not eat: the eagle, the vulture, the black vulture, 13 the red kite, the black kite, any kind of falcon, 14 any kind of raven, 15 the horned owl, the screech owl, the gull, any kind of hawk, 16 the little owl, the great owl, the white owl, 17 the desert owl, the osprey, the cormorant, 18 the stork, any kind of heron, the hoopoe and the bat.19 All flying insects are unclean to you; do not eat them. 20 But any winged creature that is clean you may eat.Using the information above, complete the table – try to include reasons why (evidence/quotes) where you can.What food can Jews eat?What food should Jews avoid?Of the animals that may be eaten, the birds and mammals must be slaughtered in accordance with Jewish law, a process known as shechita. It needs to have been kosher slaughtered (by a Shochet, in a specific way with specific prayers said) – otherwise is trefah. All blood must be drained from the meat or broiled out of it before it is eaten. Leviticus says that Jews must not eat the blood of a creature, or they are to be cast out from their people. This is because is it believed the ‘life is in the blood’. (Leviticus 17:11)Jews believe you should never mix meat and dairy. This is due to the quote ‘You shall not boil a kid in its mother’s milk’ (Exodus 23:19) – it is referring to a goats child, not a human child! Jews will often wait between 3-6 hours between eating meat and dairy.Explain why a cheeseburger is considered trefah to a Jew.Kosher Kitchen The kitchen and the way the food is prepared is also important for food to be kosher: Only kosher food can be brought into the kitchen. Certain foods must be cooked or baked in order to be kosher.Separate kitchen equipment must be used for meat, dairy and drink. These include surfaces, utensils, pans, crockery and table equipment.Meat and dairy must be kept in different areas of the fridge. Also, the oven is to be used only for either meat or dairy dishes. For these reasons, some Jewish families own two ovens and have two separate food preparation areas. Keeping Kosher is important to Jews because:Commandment from God, so it is a duty to follow thisShows obedience to God and commitment to the faithKeeping kosher reminds of connection with God their creatorKeeps them thankful for God’s gifts, as they remain aware of God in even the most basic activity of feedingReminds them of those who have no/little food whilst they can eat, training them to master their appetite (Maimonides)Unites Jews through time and across the worldWithin Genesis, Jews are given stewardship over the earth and the animals in it – therefore they should care for and respect them. Jews may follow the rules to allow the least suffering to animals.Exam Question: Explain two reasons why dietary laws are important for Jews. (4)Contrasts of practice/beliefSome Jews keep kosher law precisely, including checking all ingredients against being trefah, having ‘two kitchens’, buying from kosher shops etc; others observe more loosely, so keeping the main rules but not being scrupulous about ingredients etc; still others do not keep kosher other than at festivals. Level of observance is all a matter of personal choice (free will), and is also linked with understanding of the mitzvot – Orthodoxy sees them as absolute rules (keeping them closely if possible); whereas Reform see the mitzvot as guidance (allowing free will around their observance).Some Jews have only one set of equipment and do ritually clean it all for Pesach as part of their preparations to clean the house of chametz (leaven); many have two sets (one solely for Pesach).What problems or difficulties might Jewish people face when considering their food laws? There are some pictures here to help you if you are struggling. ................
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