What is difference between halal and kosher, if any?

dsimpy

Halal and kosher are not simply related to foodstuffs but to the entire system of religious and cultural beliefs of Jewish and Islamic people. For that reason they are not the same. Some "salient differences between kosher and halal are: Islam prohibits all intoxicating alcohols, liquors, wines and drugs. kashrut regards their wines kosher. Hence food items and drinks showing the kosher symbol containing alcohol are not halal. Gelatin is considered Kosher by many Jews regardless of its source of origin. If the gelatin is prepared from non-zabiha, Muslims consider it haram (prohibited). Hence foods items such as marshmallows, yogurt, etc., showing kosher symbols are not always halal. Enzymes (irrespective of their sources even from non-kosher animals) in cheese making are considered mere secretion (pirsah b'almah) according to some kashrut organizations, hence all cheeses are considered kosher by many Jews. Muslims look for the source of the enzyme in cheese making. If it is coming from the swine, it is considered haram(forbidden). Hence cheeses showing kosher symbols may not be halal. Jews do not pronounce the name of God on each animal while slaughtering. They feel that uttering the name of God, out of context, is wasteful. Muslims on the other hand pronounce the name of Allah on all animals while slaughtering." http://www.soundvision.com/Info/halalhealthy/halal.kosher.asp Oct 20 10, 4:04 PM

Zbeckabee

Both of these food laws have their roots in scripture, The Holy Bible and Torah for Kosher and The Quran for Halal. Kosher and Halal describe what is "fit and proper" to eat for two groups of people, Jews and Muslims. Although these terms are used to describe a wide array of foods and beverages that are acceptable to eat, we will concentrate on meat. One differentiation between Halal and Kosher is that before slaughter, Halal requires the praying to Allah. Kosher does not require a prayer to God before slaughtering. More: http://meat.tamu.edu/kosher.html Oct 20 10, 4:44 PM

Arpeggionist

The difference is who says a given item of food is permissible to eat. Most non-alcoholic foods that are kosher are hallal as well. (Jews only eat cheeses made from the milk of kosher animals, and not all cheeses.) But not everything Muslims consider permissable is kosher. (Muslims have a different list of which species of animals are not permissable. Unlike Jews, they eat horse and camel meat, for instance.) Oct 20 10, 5:02 PM

Zbeckabee

A link would be nice...that way we could read further. Oct 20 10, 5:16 PM

Arpeggionist

Not entirely sure where the information could be found online. All I can say is that I am a kashrut supervisor for the Rabbinical Commission of New England (label of the "KVH"). Probably the OU or the OK have websites explaining kashrut better than the KVH site would. What I learned of hallal was in my school days in Israel (part of learning Arabic involved studying Islam), but I've long since disposed of the books (as can be expected - it was over 15 years ago). Oct 20 10, 9:17 PM

star_gazer

There are many misconceptions about Kosher and Halal, even among Jews and Muslims. Worldwide, many Kosher producers think that Muslims accept Kosher as meeting Halal standards and requirements. Even Muslims, too, accepted Kosher because they believed that Kosher slaughtering ritual (Shechita) was similar to that of Islamic ritual of slaughtering (Dhabh). As Muslims become more aware, they are more informed about the differences between Kosher and Halal and are now less receptive of Kosher as Halal substitute. The following are some examples of the differences: In Dhabh, the name of Allah has to be invoked individually on each animal to be slaughtered as follows:“Bismillah, Allahu Akbar” (In the name of Allah; Allah is the Greatest) However, in Shechita, it is sufficient to recite the name of God or grace once for the day for all slaughters. In Kosher slaughtering, the Sochet (Jewish slaughterman) must perform the slaughter in a single, swift, uninterrupted sweep. In Islamic slaughter, the process must be carried in a single swift sweep by a sane Muslim man or woman. However, if he/she were to raise his/her hand before the Dhabh is completed and immediately returns to the process, it would still render the Halal meat. Islam considers the entire cattle or sheep as Halal if duly slaughtered but Jews use only the fore-quarter as Kosher and consider the hind-quarter as non-Kosher. Oct 20 10, 10:25 PM

star_gazer

Meat of rabbit, shell fish, wild hens, goose, and duck are considered permissible in the eyes of the Islamic Law but they are prohibited in Kashrut. Islam prohibits all intoxicating alcohols, liquors, wines, and drugs. However, Kashrut considers all wines Kosher. Mixing dairy and meat is prohibited in kosher foods, but is not an issue in halal. Gelatin is considered Kosher (regardless of its origin, even from non-Kosher animals). If the Gelatin is of non-Halal (e.g. swine) origin, then Muslims consider it as Haram. In cheese making, the end-product is regarded as Haram if enzymes from non-Halal sources are utilised. According to Kashrut, enzymes are considered mere secretion and all cheeses are Kosher, irrespective of the sources of the enzymes, even though they may be from non-Kosher animals. Kosher and halal foods are similar: Both prohibit the use of pork, pork products and blood in food http://www.ehalal.org/kosher.html Oct 20 10, 10:25 PM