Incorporating the Ideals of Kosher Food into the Twenty-First Century

Jewish themes, traditions, and ideals have existed for thousands of years. One such tradition is keeping in accordance with kosher dietary laws. In the beginning, Jews accepted the ideals and traditions of kosher food as truth because, through trial and error, the best food and manners of preparing it became more prevalent and thus accepted by the Jewish society. Having kosher food has stood the test of time, remaining with us to this day.

One cannot die or become sick from mixing milk and meat or eating properly-cooked pork and shellfish. Yet, such food is deemed unkosher. One reason for the creation of such Jewish dietary laws was to create restrictions by man, for man. Humans created dietary laws to restrict themselves - to set themselves on the right path. In the Torah, God told Adam that humans rule over all animals. Thus humans could do what whatever they wanted with animals, even consume them. But just because people are allowed to gorge themselves with such foods does not make the act acceptable. By imposing these limits, men and women would be more likely to limit themselves in terms of ethics, morality, and other key areas of life as well.

Another reason for having restrictions on food regards health. Current research suggests that those who eat kosher foods are healthier than those who do not. Observing kosher dietary rules can improve health by reducing bad cholesterol, or LDL's. When cheese and meat are eaten simultaneously, the body cannot break it down, so the food remains within the body for a longer period of time than when the foods are eaten separately. This could potentially create stomach problems. Research also shows that pork contains more allergens than any other meat. Yet, most who are allergic to pork do not even know it.