Kashrut is a set of dietary laws dealing with the foods that Jewish people are permitted to eat and how those foods must be prepared according to Jewish law. Food that may be consumed is deemed kosher or kasher , meaning "fit" (in this context: "fit for consumption"). Food that may not be consumed, however, is deemed treif or trefah. The blessing of a food is related to respect for life and thus feeling blessed in this way. When one starts eating anything, a prayer called beracha should be recited so that the food is blessed. The dietary rules are based on distinguishing between what is pure and impure.
Kashrut rules are quite detailed. The first and most basic rule is not to mix meat with dairy.
There are also dietary rules that impose restrictions on the types of fish that can be eaten. Molluscs and shellfish are not kosher animals.
Although there are no significant restrictions on the types of plants, vegetables and fruits, one has to ensure that they are free from all kinds of pests, insects, parasites and vermin.
According to kashrut rules, blood cannot be eaten in any way. There are set time intervals between the consumption of meat and milk.
According to the laws of kashrut, any animal which "chews the cud" (e.g., consumes vegetation and later regurgitates it into the mouth to be re-processed and more efficiently digested) and has a completely split hoof (cloven-foot) is ritually clean, but those which only chew the cud or only have cloven hooves are unclean.
Kosher Slaughtering Rules
There are significant restrictions on the types of animals whose meat can be consumed as food. Animals and poultry that are allowed to be consumed must be slaughtered by expert religious officials (Shochet) who have received special training. Animals undergo a special examination before slaughter and are slaughtered in accordance with the procedure, provided that they have at least no visible disability or unhealthy condition. It is essential that they do not suffer during the slaughter and that their blood is completely drained, and that their internal organs are examined after the slaughter and that there is no disease or disability that would prevent them from being consumed as food.
