Kosher for the Clueless but Curious: A Fun, Fact-Filled, and Spiritual Guide to All Things Kosher
Ever wondered what makes kosher food kosher? Why is keeping kosher important to Jews, anyway-does God really care what we eat? Apisdorf, an Orthodox rabbi, has the answers. With a sense of humor and a light touch, he lays out the basics of the Jewish dietary laws-what foods (like pork, snails and shrimp) are forbidden; how to tell if prepared food bought at the store is kosher. He dispels many myths about the Jewish dietary laws. For example, contrary to popular belief, "kosher" does not mean that food has been blessed by a rabbi. Apisdorf also addresses pastoral questions, gently suggesting that Jews who want to start keeping kosher don't take on all the dietary laws at once: they should begin by cutting out one non-kosher food, and gradually move toward a more complete observance of the whole dietary code. Apisdorf also uncovers the spiritual aspects of keeping kosher. Integral to Judaism, he says, is the recognition that physical, seemingly mundane details can play a profound role in spiritual life. Quirky "bits and bites of kosher history" round out the book. Though certainly not the only introduction to Jewish dietary law, this charming guide is a welcome addition to the field.Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.