Tag: Ashkenazi

The United Nations declared 2013 the 'International Year of Quinoa,' bringing this ancient South American seed into the mainstream, but it also sparked a complex debate within Jewish law: is quinoa considered kitniyot? This culinary and legal question has divided rabbinic authorities, with different rulings based on varying interpretations of the historical prohibition.

According to the fundamental principles of kashrut, the dietary laws of Judaism, the pig is not a kosher animal. This means that observant Jews, including those of Ashkenazi descent, cannot eat pork, a restriction that has been followed for millennia.

Yes, Ashkenazi Jews do eat meat, but a well-known dietary law prohibits mixing it with dairy. Rooted in Eastern European heritage, Ashkenazi cuisine is rich with traditional meat dishes, particularly enjoyed during celebratory meals like Shabbat and Jewish festivals. However, adherence to kosher laws dictates the type of meat consumed and its preparation.

While over 1.5 billion people consume pasta worldwide, observant Jews have specific dietary regulations for Passover. We explore the question: is Banza pasta kosher for Passover? The permissibility of this chickpea-based product depends heavily on your family's customs regarding legumes.

According to a 2016 article in *Smithsonian Magazine*, Conservative Judaism officially lifted the ban on kitniyot, which includes rice, for Ashkenazi Jews, a significant shift in a custom that is over 800 years old. For many Jewish traditions, the question of whether rice is considered kitniyot, and therefore forbidden during Passover, is a matter of long-standing custom rather than biblical law.

In the 13th century, a custom arose among Ashkenazi rabbis to prohibit kitniyot, a list of legumes and seeds, on Passover, adding a layer of dietary complexity beyond the biblical chametz prohibition. Navigating what grains are ok for Passover therefore requires understanding these two separate categories.

For many people, corn is a dietary staple, but for some Jewish communities during the Passover holiday, it is traditionally avoided. This practice is part of the custom of refraining from *kitniyot*, which directly addresses the question of **why is corn not kosher?** for those who observe it.