New York, NY – For a kashrus-observant Jew, kosher means different things than it might to a non-Jew. For non-Jews, the decision to buy kosher is usually motivated by a desire for quality. For Jewish consumers, keeping kosher means something else entirely. Star-K, another prominent kosher-certification organization, describes it this way:
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“if you ask the average person what kosher means, the answers you will most likely hear are ‘Kosher means a Rabbi blessed the food,’ ‘Kosher means the food is very clean and sanitary,’ and ‘Kosher is part of the ancient Jewish health code.’ In fact, kosher is none of these. To sum up kosher in one sentence:’Kosher is a comprehensive dietary discipline designed to promote Jewish spirituality.’ While almost everyone thinks that kosher has everything to do with the body – hot dogs, pickles, cleanliness, and health codes – in fact, what it is actually all about is the soul.”
In other words, buying something labeled “kosher” doesn’t necessarily mean the product is any healthier, more nutritious, or more pure than the same non-kosher item. Nor does it mean the product is necessarily better: anyone who has drunk too much Mogan David or Manischewitz wine can attest to that.
For vegetarians and vegans, kosher certification isn’t necessarily a free-pass, either. Have you ever looked for the word “pareve” on a package and interpreted it to mean the product doesn’t contain dairy or meat products? If so, you’re only half right. Pareve products don’t contain meat or dairy, but according to kashrut, fish and eggs aren’t classified as either meat or dairy. Food can be made with eggs, for example, and still be considered pareve. For many vegetarians, that may not be such an issue; for a vegan, on the other hand, it presents a bit of a problem.
Vegan food is not necessarily kosher, if they are earth-getch worshippers their food is bishul akum.
It is a well known fact that eating meat and eggs is the cause of many health related problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, artereosclorosis, high cholesteral etc. In the interest of good health and longevity these items should be avoided. The only reason the current generation of Rabbonim do not prohibit us from eating these items is that they are in the pocket of the meat industry. They make a big buck by endorsing caterers, restaurents, meat processors etc and they would rather sacrifice your good health than prohibit the oylim from eating meat.
Kosher marshmallows contain Kosher fish gelatin!!!!! Yuk!!!!!
who says eating meat and eggs is unhealthy? there are all kinds of controversial studies. They just came out with a new study saying that eggs do not cause cholesterol problems. Of course everything should be taken in moderation as part of a well balanced diet. But plenty of vegetarians have other types of health problems, weakness, lack of certain vitamins etc. Not necessarily is that a mitzva. And women who are pregnant , nursing etc. need plenty of protein. So to make statements that make only vegetarian food look good is irresponsible. we have to make a keli for good health and pray for rachamim all the time, but in reality meat and eggs eaten in moderation is not necessarily a problem. In fact, dairy products are often considered a more damaging food to health!
Fashion or what the Gentiles do currently is and never was Halacha.
Meat, eggs, cheese, and other foods that are produced according to Halacha are and have always been kosher and part of the Jewish diet when available.
Torah-observant Jews will be persuaded by Torah . . . and only Torah.
Now, #2 , go sell your wares elsewhere.
There is absolutely no evidence that. Meat is unhealthy! It is high in many nutrients only obtainable through meat. No one says you have to eat the fatty portions of meat.
The kashover Ruv ZT”L assered all red meat. Chicken is OK.
My Rav Moshe Rabbenu said it was just fine to eat Kosher meat ! He learned this from the Ribon Shel Olam ! That is right ! So please do not listen to the PETA animal worshipers. Meat is delicious and healthful, especially on Shabbos in my delicious chulent. Batayavon !
All the rabonim I know who assered red meat did so due to kashrus reasons, not due to health reasons.
I’ve always wondered if vegetarianism was proper because a nazir is required to bring a sin offering for denying himself the pleasures of this world that Hashem gave us.
How cattle and sheep were bred, raised and killed in biblical days is a far different cry from how it is done now. There is far more cruelty to animals as they don’t get to roam and graze on grass, they are often pumped full of antibiotics, and then crammed into cattle cars to be sent to slaughterhouses where they are crammed together in pens before finally being slaughtered. The results of these factory farm corn-fed animals is not only suffering for the animals, but much unhealthier meat with higher fat content. There also are enourmous environmental consequences of western-style factory farming which consumes lots of energy and produces lots of waste. Therefore, it is questionable whether any rabbinic discussion of the benefits of meat eating in prior years still holds true. The Torah has many laws to reduce the suffering of animals, so those of you who don’t believe these are sentinent creatures who we are free to do with as we will are misguided. I am not a vegetarian, but do wish I had the willpower to be one. I limit red meat to once or twice a month.