A kosher question for Jewish People!?

I have a question about keeping things kosher and since I am unable to find a reliable Torah written in English I will just ask you guys.

Okay I understand what animals are considered kosher and what cuts of the meat is kosher and how things are slaughtered to be considered kosher. I understand that meat and dairy are not to be mixed.

My question is are there certain degrees to which kosher can be kept? Or is it an all or nothing kind of thing?

I mean can a person just eat kosher cuts of meat but also mix that with dairy?

Is it only the Orthodox that have the two sinks, pans and utensils for the separation of meat and dairy?

Thanks guys!

Also, if you are not Jewish and choose to comment I would appreciate no condescending rude remarks or sarcasm about keeping kosher dietary laws.

2008-11-26T18:19:52Z

Thank you everyone for all the info...it's greatly appreciated.

Also, can you tell me why G-d said that kosher laws should be kept. Now that I understand what it is I would like to know the reason behind it.

2008-11-26T18:21:49Z

WOW 6 hours in between meat and dairy! You guys really deserve respect...that really is devotion to G-d and your faith right there!

Anonymous2008-11-26T17:42:43Z

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We try our very best to keep Kosher in areas that might be more Christian, for Jews in other areas it might be harder or easier to keep kosher. Almost all Jews keep kosher, I'm going to star this now for other users to answer.

Orthodox Jews are very strict concerning the Torah and do uphold these laws the best they can.

I myself honestly keep Kosher everyday only buying meat from a Kosher butcher.

By certain degrees do you mean as of how strict different branches are?

I consider myself a strict conservative, maybe an Orthodox.

At first I thought Long Live Israel-The Rav was trying to be offensive but I think I understand. Keep mind I keep up with every single law, though the only reason I wouldn't consider myself full blown Orthodox is the fact that my Hebrew isn't very good which offsets me when I'm reading the Torah.

A reason yes, well I honestly believe that this was to keep us safe from diseases. Like when you ate pork there was a good portion of the time when you might eat some not fully cooked pork and the bacterial in the tissue would get into your system. Shell fish also contained much bacteria, and a lot of animals we consider not clean.

Sometimes when you would eat meat and dairy together you can get cross contamination which can sometimes cause death.

Our laws do not only show our devotion but also protect us from some of the non-healthy foods.

The angels have the phone box.2008-11-27T02:40:25Z

The 'little bit pregnant' analogy is technically true but misleading in a practical sense. Because full kashrut observance is so complex, a lot of non-Orthodox Jews observe it partially. For some, that's a stepping stone. For others, it's a compromise -- not all of us live within commuting distance of a kosher supplier or can afford to have kosher meat delivered or have the space to keep a large enough freezer.

My current compromise is to only purchase meat from the local butcher. It's not kosher, but it is locally raised. It's the best ethical decision available to me at this time.

Anonymous2008-11-26T18:12:17Z

I am Orthodox-Kosher all the time.
My friends would tell me that they keep kosher in their home, but when they go out, they'll eat non-kosher. This is stupefying to me.
In my mind, its either all or nothing- make no mistake about it.
My home we have 3 sets of utensils just like Leibel- You cannot mix meat and milk- wait 6 hours between eating them.
If you eat meat you must wait 6 hours before dairy-Milchek

My friends that are conservative and reform(will all due respect) are very inconsistent in their laws- If one hold the obligation of Kosher, hold it all the time. Just because you eat out DOESN'T mean G-d is not watching.


In all, Orthodox keep the strictest laws, as where the Conservative and Reform lack consistency in my mind

Remember, this is not meant to be just a diss on Conservatives and Reformies- We are all Jews

Anonymous2008-11-26T19:35:26Z

I will make a few points about Kosher:
1. The laws of Kashrut (keeping Kosher) are one of those things that we do not know the reason for it. In hebrew we call it a Chok-statute, we do not understand it's reason.
2. In regards to milk and meat, the laws are complex, a thorough understanding of the "code of Jewish law" (Shulchan Aruch), is required, which Rabbis study for a year, to master.
3. The Torah has given us signs, so that we know what is a Kosher animal (Leviticus Chap1.1). It must have split hooves and chews it's cud.
4. Kosher fish have the signs of fins and scales.
5. In regards to waiting between meat and milk, although many religious jews wait six hours, this matter is debated in Jewish law (Halacha).
6. In jewish law there is is the law of nullification, one in sixty. How does this work? If say, milk fell into meat, if the meat is 60 greater than the neat (i.e. the milk is nullified), the meat is permitted for consumption.
As i noted above, the laws are long and complex, and i would be doing an injustice to the topic, by writing a few lines about it.
If you have further questions, please feel free to email me.

L'Chaim!2008-11-27T07:20:00Z

It just depends on the Jew as to how much of the kosher laws are kept. For example though I am a Reform Jew my family and I keep almost all kosher laws...even when dining out. Not all Reform Jews will do that. I do it because I feel like it helps make me a obedient, observant Jew. Like the other user said G-d is still watching even when we aren't eating at home.

Good Question!

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