Keeping Kosher: Something Fishy

The saying “You are what you eat” is universal, but it certainly applies to keeping kosher, in particular. In a previous blog, we discussed how keeping kosher is associated with compassion when it comes to separating meat and milk and kosher slaughter, which is meant to be quick and painless. Although the ultimate reason we observe commandments is because they are clear directives from the Torah and Hashem, sometimes it is easy to see additional benefits included in these laws. For instance, all kosher fish must have fins and scales. This rules out certain kinds of fish, such as shark, … Continue reading →

Kosher for Passover-from Matzoh Ball Soup to Peanuts

Passover is a time to up the ante on keeping kosher, no matter where you are holding. Even those who do not keep kosher throughout the year can be seen putting away bread and pasta for a week and eating only matzah. Perhaps one reason for this is that Passover is a time for family, and it is during Passover that we reconnect with the traditions of our ancestors. Therefore, most Jews have some interest in what makes food kosher for Passover. Basically, food is kosher for Passover if it doesn’t contain any products, such as yeast, that can make … Continue reading →

Finding Kosher Products in Phoenix

Since we just moved from the New York City area where Kosher meat could be found nearly in every supermarket, if not the Jewish communities of Fair Lawn, Teaneck, Paramus, and Woodcliff Lake; Arizona is a special challenge! There are a few Kosher meat companies which can be found, but the challenge is how does the meat taste? Empire, Aaron’s, David’s, and Wise Organic; each person has their preference. For chicken, we have always bought Empire. Empire produces chicken, turkey, Cornish hens, chicken franks, turkey franks, and cold cut meats like turkey, chicken bologna, and turkey salami. Empire’s pricing for … Continue reading →

What is Kosher? – Meat or Fleshic

The meaning of Kosher in regards to Jewish life has many rules and laws. What I will try to do is simplify the Kosher laws as best as possible and as the Jewish Family blog continues, I will then get more specific. The basics of Kosher laws all stem from the Torah. For meat to be considered Kosher, the animal must be slaughtered in a certain way so it does not feel any pain and animals with hoofs and chews its cud. Cows have cloven hoofs and chew its cuds. Pigs have hoofs but do not chew its cud. This … Continue reading →