Tag: Shechita

The Hebrew word for the set of Jewish dietary laws is "kashrut," and foods that conform to these regulations are known as "kosher". Following these strict dietary rules that are a part of Judaism is a fundamental aspect of life for many observant Jews, influencing their food preparation and consumption at every turn.

According to Jewish dietary law, only animals that both chew their cud and have cloven hooves are considered kosher. This means that while a bull is a kosher species, its meat must still adhere to a specific ritual slaughter process and other strict preparations to be deemed acceptable for consumption.

Over 70% of people who buy kosher products do so for perceived quality and safety benefits, not religious reasons. For those interested in Jewish dietary laws, a crucial question often arises: is there such a thing as kosher chicken? The answer is a definitive yes, though the process involves far more than simply raising the bird.

While all chicken is a potentially kosher bird species, its preparation is what ultimately determines its kosher status. This means that a standard chicken from the supermarket is not kosher, even though it belongs to a permissible species. The journey to becoming kosher involves a meticulous ritual slaughter, a thorough inspection, and a special cleaning process known as *kashering*.