INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM USE RIGHT OR LEFT ARROWS TO GO FORWARD OR BACK Making Jewish Choices for Living Unit 7, session 2 Using Kashrut as an example Rabbi Jonathan Keren-Black Leo Baeck Centre, East Kew Revised for Intro Course 2010/5771

A reminder... Educated Choice Progressive Judaism tends to see Judaism as traditions, customs and guidelines rather than law. Therefore we are not really a 'halahic' movement. We uniquely encourage and emphasise EDUCATED CHOICE (note For those who choose in the prayer book, eg page 10, bottom). Learn and understand what the traditions are and what they are about – and then decide for yourselves if they help bring God into your life.

An Example - Kashrut 'Kosher' actually means 'suitable for purpose' (eg a Torah scroll or a Mezuzah should be kosher). Most usually today it is used to refer to food. Is it important? How does what and how we eat affect who we are? Does it link us to other Jews? Kashrut may be about health, respect and care of animals, keeping separate from others, keeping Temple traditions, hospitality, sustainability; in reality it probably has elements of all of these.

Various aspects to Kashrut 1) Prohibited and permitted foods 2) Proper preparation of permitted foods 3) Problematic combinations of permitted foods

Prohibited and Permitted foods Seem to be the oldest layer - found in the bible. 1) It seems the original intention was to be vegetarian (Genesis 1: 29-30) 2) There is a prohibition of eating blood, which is identified as the life force of a being. The blood should be poured onto the ground (Deut 12:24). 3) There are lists of prohibited animals, with rules about cloven hoofs and chewing the cud (Lev 11) 4) There are prohibitions about carrion etc 5) There are prohibitions about tithed foods

Proper Preparation These seem to be somewhat later, though some probably have roots in the sacrificial systems described for the Tabernacle in the Torah. They are about killing the animals in a proper way (probably meant to be the quickest and least painful). This is called 'Sh'hita (Hebrew letters Sh H T = slaughter). Vegetables must be carefully washed to avoid any bugs etc. (much more recent/contemporary).

Problematic Combinations Torah says three times 'You should not seethe a kid in its mothers milk'. Much later, in 'Mark 2' or 'Rabbinic' Judaism, the Rabbis decided that this had far wider meanings: They decided it meant any meat and any milk They decided it meant any kind of 1) cooking, 2) eating, and even 3) benefitting - during the entire meal, and for some hours after ( 1 hr, 3hrs or 6 hrs ) (They also included chicken etc as a safeguard)

Pots and Pans Some Jews go to great lengths to keep milk and meat separate, having separate dishes, cutlery, tea towels, dishwashers – even kitchens! Some also have another milk and a meat set for Pesach (Passover). If you wish to entertain strictly orthodox Jews, you will need to either do this or provide disposable plates and cutlery. Many Progressive Jews believe that normal washing of cutlery and crockery is sufficient.

Progressive Rationale Kashrut is one of the distinctive things about being Jewish. Strict kashrut allows you to invite anyone over. Strict vegetarianism is a good alternative. Shopping, cooking and eating are things we do regularly, so it is good to give them some sanctity One does not have to do 'all or nothing'. It is perfectly rational to choose to keep some parts, which may seem more meaningful or original. What you do now may differ from 10 years time.

Eco-Kashrut Today we live in a time of mass production and factory farming unimagined by our ancestors. We would certainly wish to extend our concerns into those areas. Many Jews today find factory farming unacceptable and try to buy only free-range eggs and chickens, and avoid veal, for example. Some might prefer only local-produced products, in season, to support local farmers and to reduce emissions from transportation.

Btei A-von – Enjoy your meal.