Andrew F. Smith

Jewish Dietary Laws

Appears in
Oxford Encyclopedia of Food and Drink in America
Oxford Encyclopedia of Food and Drink in America

By Andrew F. Smith

Published 2004

  • About

Kashruth, the Jewish dietary laws, shapes the everyday life of those who observe it. Observance of the dietary laws separates Jews from non-Jews and is intended to imbue the most mundane activities with holiness and significance. (The English word “kosher” reflects the western, Yiddish pronunciation of the Hebrew word kasher, meaning fit or suitable.)

The cryptic and complicated prohibitions of Leviticus regarding animal food have been expanded by centuries of rabbinic commentary to apply to almost any food one might encounter. Any food that has been handled, processed, or packaged must be subject to strict rabbinic supervision; even some raw vegetables must be meticulously examined for bugs and dirt.