Chosen People – Chosen Food

The second half of this week's parsha, Shmini, deals with the laws of kashrut, the dietary laws. The Torah itself does not explicitly give a reason for these laws and much literature exists offering rationale and reasons for kashrut. One of the those is sociological and involves maintaining Jewish identity through Jewish eating. Kashrut has contributed very significantly to our survival as a distinct nation.  Jews all over the world have ...

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Kashrut Without Apologies

Kashrut and Anthropology Anthropologists have viewed the laws of Kashrut as superstitious taboos, or as a reflection of the eating habits and norms of the ancient Near East.  One author explained the prohibitions of Kashrut as purely a matter of economic necessity. A number of scholars explain the laws as being an ancient attempt at a health-food diet. The law against consumption of pork for example, is explained as an attempt ...

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What Kashrut Is and What Kashrut is Not

What Kashrut Is Not This week’s parsha, Shemini, contains most of the laws of Kashrut, the dietary code of Judaism. Anthropologists have viewed the laws of kashrut as superstitious taboos, or a reflection of the eating habits and norms of the ancient Near East.  One author explained the prohibitions of kashrut as purely a matter of economic necessity.   A number of scholars explain the laws as being an ancient attempt at ...

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