What exactly determines whether an animal or vegetable is kosher?

achernar

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosher : "The basic laws of [kosher] are in the Biblical book of Leviticus, their details explicated in the oral law (the Mishnah and the Talmud) and codified by the later rabbinical authorities." For detailed requirements, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosher_foods Apr 13 05, 8:57 AM

Arpeggionist

Vegetables are pretty much kosher by default. As for animals, Jewish law divides the animal kingdom into four basic groups: a) land animals - generally refering to large mammals, but not just. A land animal is kosher only if it has a cleft hoof and chews its cud. If any one of these requirements is not met, the animal is not to be eaten. b) fish - any creature that lives in the water. Anything that will have the basic anatomy of a fish, that means fins and scales, would be kosher. So tuna is fine, whereas sharks or eels are not. c) birds, any animal that regularly takes to the air. The books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy give very specific lists of which of these birds are not kosher. Mostly the list concentrates on birds of prey. Flightless birds are not kosher. d) small creatures - mostly snakes, small reptiles and amphibians and insects. The books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy specify that certain species of grasshoppers and locusts are kosher, but every other species of this group is strictly unclean. Besides those specifications, an animal must also be in decent health in order to be considered kosher. Apr 13 05, 9:43 AM

Tamarind_Ja

Thanks Arpy. But what about chicken? They dont fly. Apr 13 05, 10:41 AM

Stew54

Tricky! I expect Arpeggy has the answer. I believe that a healthy chicken, killed, drained of blood and butchered in a proper way is kosher. At least until you decide to cook it in butter, or serve it with a sauce made especially from the fruit of a newly planted tree, or ... It's so much more straightforward for goyim. Thank you, St Paul! Apr 13 05, 10:47 AM

lanfranco

I'm not thanking him. St. Paul has a lot to answer for, in my opinion, though quite a few people seem to have been grateful for his views on circumcision. As for chickens, I have seen spooked poultry fly into trees. They do take flight, just not for long distances. Apr 13 05, 11:14 AM

Arpeggionist

That's true. The chicken is not included in most people's list of flightless birds. They can take to the skies for just long enough distances to get out of danger, even if it is only when they're really scared out of their minds. It will be interesting to note that Jewish religious practice also gives a broad meaning to the word "chicken". (When turkeys were first introduced east of the Atlantic and the question obviously rose as to whether or not they were kosher, the rabbis argued that they were, on the grounds that they were another species of chicken.) Chicken then is the most common type of kosher bird. The argument about whether it is permissible to mix bird meat with dairy in a meal goes back to the Talmudic times. To this day there are some small communities which will insist that birds do not qualify as meat. But in general the widely accepted opinion is that of the Talmudic rabbis - they do qualify. Though fish does not qualify as meat. (It is perfectly alright to eat a sandwich of salmon and cheese, but not to use butter on a chicken.) Apr 13 05, 1:03 PM

kaylofgorons

Turkeys can fly, too. I've seen the wild ones do it, but they're on the same level of skill as chickens. The farm raised ones might be too heavy and lazy, but they were born with the ability. Lol, just seeing a turkey fly is quite a joke. The one I witnessed flew to cross the road over our car. My dad was fooling around with the poor confused bird who was just try to catch up with the others. Finally, the turkey just started pounding the air and labored over our station wagon into the woods on the other side. They will sometimes flap up to roost, too. Apr 14 05, 1:04 PM

Arpeggionist

Whatever the case, I still generally prefer beef. Birds have a way of struggling for their freedom, too messy for my taste. Cows are much more humble creatures. Apr 14 05, 3:17 PM

kaylofgorons

Not to mention that very disconcerting habit of running around with their heads cut off. Bizarre and disturbing. Beef! It's what's for dinner. Pass the steak. Apr 14 05, 3:44 PM