Kashrut

Kashrut(alsokashruthorkashrus,כַּשְׁרוּת‎) is a set ofdietary lawsdealing with the foods that Jewish people are permitted to eat and how those foods must be prepared according toJewish law. Food that may be consumed is deemedkosher(/ˈkoʊʃər/in English,Yiddish:כּשר), from theAshkenazipronunciation of the term that inSephardiorModern Hebrewis pronouncedkashér(כָּשֵׁר‎), meaning "fit" (in this context: "fit for consumption"). Food that may not be consumed, however, is deemedtreif(/treɪf/in English,Yiddish:טרײף), also spelledtreyf(Yiddish:טריף). In case of objects the opposite of kosher is pasúl (/pəˈsul/in English, Yiddish: פָּסוּל).
Although the details of the laws ofkashrutare numerous and complex, they rest on a few basic principles:
Every food that is considered kosher is also categorized as follows:
While any produce that grows from the earth, such as fruits, grains, vegetables, and mushrooms, is always permissible, laws regarding the status of certain agricultural produce, especially that grown in theLand of Israelsuch astithesand produce of theSabbatical year, impact their permissibility for consumption.
Most of the basic laws ofkashrutare derived from theTorah's books ofLeviticusandDeuteronomy. Their details and practical application, however, are set down in theOral Torah, (eventually codified in theMishnahandTalmud), and elaborated on in the later rabbinical literature. Although the Torah does not state the rationale for mostkashrutlaws, some suggest that they are only tests of obedience,while others have suggested philosophical, practical, and hygienic reasons.
Over the past century, manykashrutcertification agencieshave started to certify products, manufacturers, and restaurants as kosher, usually authorizing the use of a proprietary symbol or certificate, called ahechsher, to be displayed by the food establishment or on the product, which indicates that they are in compliance with the kosher laws. This labeling is also used by some non-Jewish people, examples of which include those whose religions (includingIslam) expect adherence to a similar set of dietary laws, people with allergies to dairy foods, and vegans, who use the various kosher designations to determine whether a food contains meat or dairy-derived ingredients.
The laws of Kashrut are a major area covered in traditional rabbinic ordination; seeYeshiva § Jewish lawandSemikhah § Varieties of ordination. And numerous scholarly and popular works exist on these topics,covering both practice and theory.
Jewish philosophydivides the613 commandments(ormitzvot) into three groups—laws that have a rational explanation and would probably be enacted by most orderly societies (mishpatim), laws that are understood after being explained, but would not be legislated without the Torah's command (eidot), and laws that do not have a rational explanation (chukim).
Some Jewish scholars say thatkashrutshould be categorized as laws for which there is no particular explanation since the human mind is not always capable of understanding divine intentions. In this line of thinking, the dietary laws were given as a demonstration of God's authority, and man must obey without asking why.AlthoughMaimonidesconcurs that all the statutes of the Torah are decrees, he is of the view that whenever possible, one should seek out reasons for the Torah's commandments.
Some theologians have said that the laws ofkashrutare symbolic in character: kosher animals representvirtues, while non-kosher animals representvices. The 1st-century BCELetter of Aristeasargues that the laws "have been given [...] to awake pious thoughts and to form the character".This view reappears in the work of the 19th-centuryRabbiSamson Raphael Hirsch.
The Torah prohibits "cooking the kid (goat, sheep, calf) in its mother's milk". While the Torah does not provide a reason, it has been suggested that the practice was perceived as cruel and insensitive.
Hasidic Judaismbelieves that everyday life is imbued with channels connecting withDivinity, the activation of which it sees as helping theDivine Presenceto be drawn into the physical world;Hasidism argues that the food laws are related to the way such channels, termed 'sparks of holiness', interact with various animals. These 'sparks of holiness' are released whenever a Jew manipulates any object for a 'holy reason', (which includes eating);however, not all animal products are capable of releasing their 'sparks of holiness'.The Hasidic argument is that animals are imbued with signs that reveal the release of these sparks, and the signs are expressed in the biblical categorization of ritually 'clean' and ritually 'unclean'.
Although the reason forkashrutis that it is a decree from the Torah, there have been attempts to provide scientific support for the view that Jewish food laws have an incidental health benefit. One of the earliest is that ofMaimonidesinThe Guide for the Perplexed(c. 1190).
In 1953,David Macht, an Orthodox Jew and proponent of the theory of biblical scientific foresight, conductedtoxicityexperiments on many kinds of animals and fish.His experiment involvedlupinseedlings being supplied with extracts from the meat of various animals; Macht reported that in 100% of cases, extracts from ritually 'unclean' meat inhibited the seedling's growth more than that from ritually 'clean' meats.
At the same time, these explanations are controversial. ScholarLester L. Grabbe, writing in theOxford Bible Commentaryon Leviticus, says "[a]n explanation now almost universally rejected is that the laws in this sectionhave hygiene as their basis. Although some of the laws of ritual purity roughly correspond to modern ideas of physical cleanliness, many of them have little to do with hygiene. For example, there is no evidence that the 'unclean' animals are intrinsically bad to eat or to be avoided in a Mediterranean climate, as is sometimes asserted."
The laws ofkashrutcan be classified according to the origin of the prohibition (Biblical or rabbinical) and whether the prohibition concerns the food itself or a mixture of foods.
Biblically prohibited foods include:
Biblically prohibited mixtures include:
Rabbinically prohibited foods include:
Only meat from particular species is permissible. Mammals that both chew their cud (ruminate) and havecloven hoovescan be kosher. Animals with one characteristic but not the other (the camel, thehyrax, and theharebecause they have no cloven hooves, and the pig because it does not ruminate) are specifically excluded.
In 2008, a rabbinical ruling determined thatgiraffesand their milk are eligible to be considered kosher. The giraffe has both split hooves and chews its cud, characteristics of animals considered kosher. Findings from 2008 show that giraffe milk curdles, meeting kosher standards. Although kosher, the giraffe is not slaughtered today because the process would be very costly. Giraffes are difficult to restrain, and their use for food could cause the species to become endangered.
Non-kosher birds are listed outright in the Torah,but the exact zoological references are disputed and some references refer to families of birds (24 are mentioned). TheMishnahrefers to four signs provided by thesages.First, adores(predatory bird) is not kosher. Additionally, kosher birds possess three physical characteristics: an extra toe in the back (which does not join the other toes in supporting the leg), azefek(crop), and akorkoban(gizzard) with a peelablelumen. However, individual Jews are barred from merely applying these regulations alone; an established tradition (masorah) is necessary to allow birds to be consumed, even if it can be substantiated that they meet all four criteria. The only exception to this is the turkey. There was a time when certain authorities considered the signs sufficient, so Jews started eating this bird without amasorahbecause it possesses all the signs (simanim) in Hebrew.
Fish must have fins and scales to be kosher.Shellfishand other non-fish waterfaunaare not kosher.(Seekosher species of fish.) Insects are not kosher, except for certain species ofkosher locust.Any animal that eats other animals, whether they kill their food or eatcarrion,is generally not kosher, as well as any animal that has been partially eaten by other animals.
Meat and milk (or derivatives) may not be mixedin the sense that meat anddairy productsare not served at the same meal, served or cooked in the same utensils, or stored together.
Observant Jews have separate sets of dishes, and sometimes different kitchens, for meat and milk, and wait anywhere between one and six hours after eating meat before consuming milk products.Themilchigandfleishig(literally "milky" and "meaty") utensils and dishes are the commonly referred-to Yiddish delineations between dairy and meat ones, respectively.
According to the Shulchan Aruch, a six-hour waiting period is recommended between consuming meat and dairy. During this time, it is generally advised to abstain from brushing and rinsing the mouth.
Shelomo Dov Goiteinwrites, "the dichotomy of the kitchen into a meat and a milk section, so basic in an observant Jewish household, is [...] never mentioned in theGeniza." Goitein believed that in the early Middle Ages Jewish families kept only one set of cutlery and cooking ware.According toDavid C. Kraemer, the practice of keeping separate sets of dishes developed only in the late 14th and 15th centuries.It is possible observant Jews before then waited overnight for the meat or dairy gravy absorbed in a pot's walls to become insignificant (lifgam) before using the pot for the other foodstuff (meat or dairy).
Mammals and fowl must be slaughtered by a trained individual (ashochet) using a special method of slaughter,shechita.Shechitaslaughter severs thejugular vein,carotid artery,esophagus, andtracheain a single continuous cutting movement with anunserrated, sharp knife. Failure to meet any of these criteria renders the meat of the animal non-kosher.
The body of the slaughtered animal must be checked after slaughter to confirm that the animal had no medical condition or defect that would have caused it to die of its own accord within a year, which would make the meat unsuitable.
These conditions (treifot) include 70 different categories of injuries, diseases, and abnormalities whose presence renders the animal non-kosher.
It is forbidden to consume certain parts of the animal, such as certain fats (chelev) and thesciatic nervesfrom the legs, the process ofexcisionbeing done by experts before the meat is sold.
As much blood as possible must be removedthrough thekasheringprocess; this is usually done through soaking and salting the meat, but theliver, as it is rich in blood, is grilled over an open flame.
Fish (and kosher locusts, for those who follow the traditions permitting them) must be killed before being eaten, but no particular method has been specified in Jewish law.Legal aspects of ritual slaughterare governed not only by Jewish law but civil law as well.
Some believe that this ensures the animal dies instantly withoutunnecessary suffering, but manyanimal rightsactivists view the process as cruel, claiming that the animal may not lose consciousness immediately, and activists have called for it to be banned.
When an animal is ritually slaughtered (shechted) the raw meat is traditionally cut, salted, and rinsed, prior to cooking. Salting of raw meat draws out the blood that lodges on the inner surface of the meat. The salting is done with coarse grain salt, commonly referred to askosher salt, after which the meat is laid over a grating orcolanderto allow for drainage, remaining so for the duration of time that it takes to walk onebiblical mile(approximately 18–24 minutes). Afterwards, the residue of salt is rinsed away with water, and the meat cooked.
Meat that is roasted requires no prior salting, as fire causes a natural purging  of blood.
Turei Zahav("Taz"), a 17th-century commentary on theShulchan Arukh, ruled that the pieces of meat can be "very thick" when salting.TheYemenite Jewishpractice, however, followsSaadiah Gaon, who required that the meat not be larger than half a "rotal" (i.e. roughly 216 grams (7.6 oz)) when salting.This allows the effects of the salt to penetrate.
Some Orthodox Jewish communities require the additional stricture of submersing raw meat in boiling water prior to cooking it, a practice known asḥaliṭah(Hebrew:חליטה), "blanching."This was believed to constrict the blood lodged within the meat, to prevent it from oozing out when the meat was eaten. The raw meat is left in the pot of boiling water for as long as it takes for the meat to whiten on its outer layer.
If someone wanted to use the water for soup after makingḥaliṭahin the same pot, they could simply scoop out the film, froth and scum that surface in the boiling water.
Ḥaliṭahis not required when roasting meat over a fire, as the fire constricts the blood.
Utensils used for non-kosher foods become non-kosher, and make even otherwise kosher food prepared with them non-kosher.
Some such utensils, depending on the material they are made from, can be made suitable for preparing kosher food again by immersion in boiling water or by the application of a blowtorch.
Food prepared in a manner that violates theShabbat(Sabbath) may not be eaten; although in certain instances it is permitted after theShabbatis over.
Passoverhas stricter dietary rules, the most important of which is the prohibition on eatingleavened breador derivatives of this, which are known aschametz. This prohibition is derived from Exodus 12:15.
Utensils used in preparing and servingchametzare also forbidden on Passover unless they have been ritually cleansed (kashered).
Observant Jews often keep separate sets of meat and dairy utensils for Passover use only. In addition, some groups follow various eating restrictions on Passover that go beyond the rules ofkashrut, such as not eatingkitniyot,gebrochtsorgarlic.
Biblical rules also control the use of agriculture produce, for example, with respect to their tithing, or when it is permitted to eat them or to harvest them, and what must be done to make them suitable for human consumption.
For produce grown in theLand of Israela modified version of the  biblicaltithesmust be applied, includingTerumat HaMaaser,Maaser Rishon,Maaser Sheni, andMaasar Ani(untithed produce is calledtevel); the fruit of the first three years of a tree's growth or replanting are forbidden for eating or any other use asorlah;produce grown in the Land of Israel on the seventh year obtainsk'dushat shvi'it, and unless managed carefully is forbidden as a violation of theShmita(Sabbatical Year).
Some rules ofkashrutare subject to different rabbinical opinions. For example, many hold that the rule against eatingchadash(new grain) before the 16th of the monthNisandoes not apply outside the Land of Israel.
Although plants and minerals are nearly always kosher, vegetarian restaurants and producers of vegetarian foods are required to obtain ahechsher, certifying that a rabbinical organization has approved their products as being kosher, because thehechsherusually certifies that certain vegetables have been checked for insect infestation and steps have been taken to ensure that cooked food meets the requirements ofbishul Yisrael.Vegetables such asspinachandcauliflowermust be checked for insect infestation. The proper procedure for inspecting and cleaning varies by species, growing conditions, and views of individual rabbis.
A pareve food is one which is neither meat nor dairy. Fish fall into this category, as well as any food that is not animal-derived.Eggsare also considered pareve despite being an animal product.
Some processes convert a meat- or dairy-derived product into a pareve one. For example,rennetis sometimes made from stomach linings, yet is acceptable for making kosher cheese.Gelatins derived from kosher animal sources (which were ritually slaughtered) are also pareve.Other gelatin-like products from non-animal sources such asagar agarandcarrageenanare pareve by nature. Fish gelatin, like all kosher fish products, is pareve.
Jewish law generally requires that bread be kept pareve (i.e., not kneaded with meat or dairy products nor made on meat or dairy equipment).
Kashruthas procedures by which equipment can be cleaned of its previous non-kosher or meat/dairy use, but those may be inadequate for vegetarians, those with allergies, or adherents to other religious laws.
For example, dairy manufacturing equipment can be cleaned well enough that the rabbis grant pareve status to products manufactured with it but someone with a strong allergic sensitivity to dairy products might still react to the dairy residue. This is why some products that are legitimately pareve carry "milk" warnings.
For cannabis grown in Israel, the plants must observeshmittah, but this does not apply to cannabis from elsewhere. At least one brand of cannabis edibles is certified to follow the laws ofkashrut.
Although it is not a food product, sometobaccoreceives a year-long kosher for Passover certification. This year-long certification means that the tobacco is certified also forPassoverwhere different restrictions may be in place. Tobacco may, for example, come into contact with somechametzgrains that are strictly forbidden during Passover and the certification is a guarantee that it is free from this type of contamination.
In Israel, this certification is given by a privatekashrutrabbinic groupBeit Yosef, but the Chief Rabbinate has objected to granting of any certification by rabbis because of health risks from tobacco.
With the advent ofgenetic engineering, scholars in both academia and Judaic faith have differing viewpoints on whether these new strains of foods are to be considered kosher or not. The firstgenetically modified animalapproved by the FDA for human consumption is theAquAdvantage salmonand, while salmon is normally an acceptably kosher food, this modified organism has agenefrom a non-kosher organism.
In 2015, the Committee on Jewish Law and Standards of theRabbinical Assemblyreleased a document regarding genetically modified organisms, stating that modification of gene sequences via the introduction of foreign DNA in order to convey a specific capability in the new organism is allowable, that entirely new species should not be intentionally created, and that the health implications of genetically modified foods must be considered on an individual basis.
Some put forth that this intermixing of species is against the teachings of theTalmudand thus against Jewish Law and non-kosher. Others argue that the one in sixty parts law ofkashrutis of significance, and that the foreign gene accounts for less than 1/60 of the animal and thus the modified salmon is kosher.
Certain foods must be prepared in whole or in part by Jews. This includesgrape wine,certain cooked foods (bishul akum),cheese(g'vinat akum), and according to some also butter (chem'at akum),dairy products (Hebrew: חלב ישראלchalav Yisrael"milk of Israel"),andbread(Pas Yisroel).
Although reading the label of food products can identify obviously non-kosher ingredients, some countries allow manufacturers to omit identification of certain ingredients. Such "hidden" ingredients may includelubricantsandflavorings, among otheradditives; in some cases, for instance, the use ofnaturalflavorings, these ingredients are more likely to be derived from non-kosher substances.Furthermore, certain products, such as fish, have a high rate ofmislabeling, which may result in a non-kosher fish being sold in a package labeled as a species of kosher fish.
Producers of foods and food additives can contact Jewish religious authorities to have their products certified askosher: this involves a visit to the manufacturing facilities by an individual rabbi or a committee from a rabbinic organization, who will inspect the production methods and contents and, if everything is sufficientlykoshera certificate would be issued.
Manufacturers sometimes identify the products that have received such certification by adding particular graphical symbols to the label. These symbols are known in Judaism ashechsherim.Due to differences inkashrutstandards held by different organizations, thehechsheirimof certain Jewish authorities may at times be considered invalid by other Jewish authorities.Thecertification marksof the various rabbis and organisations are too numerous to list, but one of the most commonly used in the United States of America is that of theUnion of Orthodox Congregations, who use aUinside a circle ("O-U"), symbolising the initials ofOrthodox Union. In Britain, commonly used symbols are the "KLBD" logo of theLondon Beth Dinand the "MK" logo of the Manchester Beth Din.A singleKis sometimes used as a symbol forkosher, but since many countries do not allow letters to betrademarked(the method by which other symbols are protected from misuse), it only indicates that the company producing the product claims that it is kosher.
Many of the certification symbols are accompanied by additional letters or words to indicate the category of the product, according to Jewish law;the categorization may conflict with legal classifications, especially in the case of food that Jewish law regards asdairy, but legal classification does not.
In many cases constant supervision is required because, for various reasons such as changes in manufacturing processes, products that once were kosher may cease to be so. For example, a kosher lubricating oil may be replaced by one containingtallow, which many rabbinic authorities view as non-kosher. Such changes are often coordinated with the supervising rabbi or supervising organization to ensure that new packaging does not suggest anyhechsherorkashrut. In some cases, however, existing stocks of pre-printed labels with thehechshermay continue to be used on the now non-kosher product. An activegrapevineamong the Jewish community discusses which products are now questionable, as well as products which have become kosher but whose labels have yet to carry thehechsher. Some newspapers and periodicals also discusskashrutproducts.
Products labeledkosher-styleare non-kosher products that have characteristics of kosher foods, such as all-beefhot dogs,or are flavored or prepared in a manner consistent withAshkenazipractices, likedill pickles.The designation usually refers todelicatessenitems.
Food producers often look to expand their markets or marketing potential, and offering kosher food has become a way to do that. The uniqueness of kosher food was advertised as early as 1849.In 1911Procter & Gamblebecame the first company to advertise one of their products, Crisco, as kosher.Over the next two decades, companies such asLender's Bagels,Maxwell House,Manischewitz, andEmpireevolved and gave the kosher market more shelf-space. In the 1960s,Hebrew Nationalhotdogs launched a "we answer to a higher authority" campaign to appeal to Jews and non-Jews alike. From that point on, "kosher" became a symbol for both quality and value. The kosher market quickly expanded, and with it more opportunities for kosher products. Menachem Lubinsky, founder of theKosherfesttrade fair, estimates as many as14 millionkosher consumers and$40 billionin sales of kosher products in the U.S.
In 2014 theIsraeli Defense Forcesdecided to allow female kosher supervisors to work in its kitchens on military bases, and the first women kosher inspectors were certified in Israel.
Advertising standards laws in manyjurisdictions prohibit the use of the phrasekosherin a product's labeling unless the producer can show that the product conforms to Jewish dietary laws; however, different jurisdictions often define the legal qualifications for conforming to Jewish dietary laws differently. For example, in some places the law may require that a rabbi certify thekashrutnature, in others the rules ofkosherare fully defined in law, and in others still it is sufficient that the manufacturer only believes that the product complies with Jewish dietary regulations. In several cases, laws restricting the use of the termkosherhave later been determined to be illegal religious interference.
In the United States, the cost of certification for mass-produced items is typically minisculeand is usually more than offset by the advantages of being certified.In 1975The New York Timesestimated the cost per item for obtaining kosher certification at 6.5 millionths of a cent ($0.000000065) per item for aGeneral Foodsfrozen-food item.According to a 2005 report byBurns & McDonnell, most U.S. national certifying agencies are non-profit, only charging for supervision and on-site work, for which the on-site supervisor "typically makes less per visit than an auto mechanic does per hour". However, re-engineering an existing manufacturing process can be costly.Certification usually leads to increased revenues by opening up additional markets toJewswho keep kosher,Muslimswho keephalal,Seventh-day Adventistswho keep the main laws of Kosher Diet,vegetarians, and thelactose-intolerantwho wish to avoid dairy products (products that are reliably certified asparevemeet this criterion).TheOrthodox Union, one of the largestkashrutorganizations in the United States, claims that "when positioned next to a competing non-kosher brand, a kosher product will do better by 20%".
In some European Jewish communities, kosher supervision of meat includes a "tax" used to fund Jewish education in the community, which makes kosher meat more expensive than the cost of supervision alone would imply.
Many Jews partially observekashrut,by abstaining from pork or shellfish or by not drinking milk with meat dishes. Some keep kosher at home but eat in non-kosher restaurants. In 2012, one analysis of the specialty food market in North America estimated that only 15% of kosher consumers were Jewish.Kosher meat is regularly consumed byMuslimswhenhalalis not available.Muslims,Hindus, and people with allergies to dairy foods often consider thekosher-parevedesignation as an assurance that a food contains no animal-derived ingredients, including milk and all of its derivatives.However, sincekosher-parevefoods may contain honey, eggs, or fish,veganscannot rely on the certification.
About a sixth ofAmerican Jewsor 0.3% of the American population fully keep kosher, and many more of them do not strictly follow all of the rules but still abstain from some prohibited foods, especially pork. TheSeventh-day Adventist Church, aChristian denomination, preaches a health message which expects adherence to the kosher dietary laws.
Surveys conducted in 2013 and 2020 found that 22% ofAmerican Jewsby religion claimed to keep kosher in their homes.Pork consumption in particular seems to be a bigger taboo than other non-Kosher eating practices among Jews, with 41% claiming to at least abstain from eating pork.American Jews are generally less strict about Kosher laws when compared toIsraeli Jews. Nearly three times as many Israeli Jews reported that they commit to keeping kosher in their homes and 84% do not eat pork.
"Kosher style" allows for variation in adherence to kashrut, reflecting different practices within the Jewish community. For some, kosher style implies abstinence from non-kosher animals, like pork and shellfish, and the avoidance of mixing meat and dairy in meals. These individuals may consume meat from animals that are kosher but not necessarily slaughtered according to kashrut standards.
The notion of "kosher style" serves individuals and communities navigating between strict religious observance and cultural identification with Jewish culinary traditions. Hasia Diner, a professor of American Jewish history at New York University, suggests that "kosher-style" represents a balancing act between tradition and assimilation, providing a sense of Jewish identity through food without strict adherence to kashrut.
This flexible practice emerged in the 1920s amongst Jews assimilating into American society, who sought connection to their heritage without fully observing dietary laws. The term is broad and encompasses foods that could be kosher, like chicken noodle soup or pareve meals (neither meat nor dairy), even if they don't meet halakhic standards. Diner points out the term is "oxymoronic," creating an illusion of kashrut where the true emphasis is on a style of cuisine rather than compliance with religious dietary laws.
Over time, the meaning of "kosher style" has evolved and expanded, reflecting changes within Jewish communities and broader society. In contemporary practice, "kosher style" is often encountered at social events and gatherings, where meals might exclude certain non-kosher items but not adhere strictly to kashrut. The exact definition may vary between communities and individuals, reflecting diverse interpretations and practices related to Jewish dietary laws. The term also relates to products marketed as "kosher style," prompting some regions to establish legislation to clarify labeling and prevent consumer misunderstanding. For instance, kosher-style pickles might be produced without kosher certification or supervision but are associated with Jewish culinary tradition.
InAncient Hebrewthe wordkosher(Hebrew:כשר) meansbe advantageous,proper,suitable, orsucceed,according to theBrown–Driver–BriggsHebrew and English Lexicon. InModern Hebrewit generally refers tokashrutbut it can also sometimes mean "proper". For example, theBabylonian Talmuduseskosherin the sense of "virtuous" when referring toDarius Ias a "kosher king"; Darius, aPersianking (reigned 522–486 BCE), fostered the building of theSecond Temple.In colloquialEnglish,kosheroften means "legitimate", "acceptable", "permissible", "genuine", or "authentic".The wordkoshercan also form part of some common product names.
Sometimeskosheris used as an abbreviation ofkoshering, meaning the process for making somethingkosher; for example,kosher saltis a form of salt with irregularly shaped crystals, making it particularly suitable for preparing meat according to the rules ofkashrut, because the increased surface area of the crystals absorbs blood more effectively.In this case the type of salt refers to kosher style salt. Salt may also be kosher certified salt, or both. Certified kosher salt followskashrutguidelines.Sometimes the term "coarse kosher salt" is used to designate salt that is both kosher style and kosher certified.The term "fine kosher salt" is sometimes used for salt that is certified kosher but not kosher style.
Koshercan occur as a synonym forJewish tradition; for example, akosher dillpickleis simply a pickle made in the traditional manner of Jewish New York City pickle-makers, using a generous addition of garlic to the brine, and is not necessarily compliant with the traditional Jewish food laws.
Mehadrinis a term most commonly used with the meaning of enhanced or stricter kashrut rules.Itsetymologyis still debated,but its initial halachic use related specifically to lighting candles onHanukkah.Later it became widely used in regard to dietary laws,and ended up loosely covering almost every aspect of Jewish observance(seemehadrin bus lines).
Badatzis theHebrew acronymofBeth DinTsedekand is used as a name for organisations which supervise the production of  kosher foods. They typically only certifymehadrin-level products, but are not the only agencies specialised in applying enhancedmehadrinrules, since there are non-badatz agencies also doing so.
Atreef(Surinamese Dutch, derived fromSranan Tongotrefu) is afood taboo.
InSurinamecertain groups of people have long adhered to belief in treef, especially among people of African descent. The consumption of certain foods is prohibited, in the belief that it could cause major diseases, particularlyleprosy.These prohibitions can vary individually, but it is inextricably related to conditions in the family. A treef is inherited from the father's side, but it can be revealed in a dream, often by a woman. In addition, a woman must take into account special food taboos during pregnancy. There is great importance attached to the treef; if a child observes the treef of his father, and yet experiences a skin condition, this is seen as a strong indication that the child was begotten by the woman with another man. Finally treef also be acquired later in life by wearing certain charms that compel you to abstain from certain foods.
The word is derived fromHebrew, due to influence ofSephardi Jewswho came to Suriname in the 17th century. This is also the source of Sranankaseri'ritually clean,kosher'.
Although the termkosherrelates mainly to food, it sometimes occurs in other contexts. Some Orthodox retailers sellkosher cell phones—stripped-down devices with limited features.