Tag Archives: Shabbat

Kosher: What is chalav Yisrael?

Chalav Yisroel, very loosely translated as “Jewish milk” is a stringency in the laws of kashrut (kosher) that stipulates that all milk and dairy products should be manufactured under Jewish supervision. This means that either the cows should be milked by Jews or the milking and the production of cheeses, ice creams and other dairy foods should be done with a Jew in attendance. A common misconception about chalav Yisroel is that any dairy food with a kosher label is automatically chalav Israel. Milk and cheese with the OU-D symbol, for instance, are kosher products (coming from kosher animals with … Continue reading →

Why Do Jews Love Bacon?

I used to love spending the night at my friend’s homes. My favorite part was always breakfast. Every morning I would wake up to the sizzle of bacon. My friends’ moms soon caught on about my love for bacon and would always buy extra, just for me. I don’t like ham, and sausage is OK, but there is something about bacon that I have a hard time believing that it breaks all Kosherat laws. Keeping Kosher means observing the dietary commandments of God. One of them means you can not eat animals with split hooves. Back then, it had to … Continue reading →

A Shabbat Experience

Known for the weekly holiday of rest and reflection. For many who honor and recognize this weekly holiday, it’s a time to spend with family, friends, loved ones, and maybe most importantly themselves. Shabbat starts sundown on Friday night, when three stars can be seen in the sky and ends on Saturday night an hour after sundown. This is also called Havdalah. Some celebrate the holiday by observing prayer at synagogue or shul by reviewing the weekly portion (parsha) of the torah. For many Jews who fully appreciate the Sabbath (Shabbat) there is no electricity allowed after sunset. One might … 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 →

What is Shabbat? – Part II

A traditional Shabbat meal could consist of many food courses. The first course is usually soup; and what type of soup do you think most Jews eat on Shabbat? That’s right, Matzoh Ball soup in chicken broth! Usually the preparation of the soup is started the night before if the soup is being made fresh. There are also small, yellow croutons which can be used in your soup produced by Osem. They look like really tiny small crackers but they add crunchies to your soup if you like that taste. Challah and wine is still on the table with some … Continue reading →

What is Shabbat? – Part I

Shabbat or the Sabbath is considered the seventh day of creation or the day G-d rested. There are many traditional ways of observing the Sabbath from attending temple (synagogue, shul) services on Friday night, Saturday morning, and Saturday evening; to having a sit down family style dinner on Friday night and Saturday afternoon. Many observant Jews will not work, drive, or watch television, and enjoy the day of rest with friends and families. Some will catch up on some reading, others will attend shul all day, and many will just rest. Shabbat is considered the most important holiday in the … Continue reading →