Kosher is a term derived from the Hebrew word for "fit" or "proper," and it denotes food that meets the requirements of Jewish dietary laws. Kashrut, as it's known in Hebrew, forbids Jews from eating animals with cloven hooves that don't chew their cud — cattle, sheep, goats, deer and antelope. The kosher animal has to be slaughtered in a special way; it must be killed quickly and drained of its blood. You’re familiar with it already when you experience Jewish heritage tours in different popular spots worldwide. Kosher laws are the set of Jewish dietary and food preparation rules. They were originally intended to prevent Jews from eating meat that had not been ritually slaughtered, or from mixing dairy products with foods that had been prepared with meat. Most Jews follow these rules by keeping a kosher kitchen at home. However, it can be difficult to stick to kosher rules when eating out in restaurants or traveling. Here are some tips to make sure you’re not breaking kashrut. Know What Foods Are Kosher There are certain foods that are not allowed during Passover, such as grains and legumes. Some of these items include rice, corn, beans and peanuts. When it comes to fruits and vegetables, there are certain items that have to be checked out before they can be eaten on the holiday. For example, apples have to be examined to make sure they didn't come in contact with wheat or barley during harvesting. Vegetables like spinach have to be examined as well because they could possibly contain insect eggs that could be made into flour. The same goes for eggs, which has to be from a kosher species of bird that is slaughtered in the proper way without being rushed through the process. Avoid Non-Kosher Food in Your Home The best way to make sure your kitchen is kosher for Passover is to avoid non-kosher food in your home before the holiday begins. Usually that simply means doing without it during the week or so leading up to the holiday. But if something happens to find its way into your home, do not eat it or cook with it; instead, remove it from your home or give it away as soon as possible. You should not purchase any new food items either, especially anything that does not have a hekhsher, or kosher certification. Doing so can lead you to mistakenly thinking that something is kosher when it actually isn't. Be Careful What You Cook Don't do any cooking with flour or grain products that could ferment into hametz during the holiday. Avoid recipes that contain matzo meal or matzo cake meal. However, gluten products have no effect on Passover food preparation because they cannot ferment. Rice flour isn't allowed because it can become chometz under certain conditions, but potato starch is allowed because it's not flour at all and also has no leavening capacity. Make Sure Your Meats Are Really Kosher If you're planning on eating meat during the holiday, make sure it was slaughtered properly. According to Jewish law, meat must be slaughtered in a specific way in order to be considered kosher (poultry is often not marked as kosher, so make sure to ask). Read Labels
While it's not mandatory, many Jews keep their kitchens free of chametz during Passover. That means you'll want to check labels for hidden ingredients and make sure you don't inadvertently buy something with leavening (i.e., yeast) in it. Avoiding chametz can sometimes be tricky because some products use different names for their ingredients (such as "wheat flour" instead of "wheat"). Be sure to read ingredient lists carefully and look at every single label on all products you buy. Successfully celebrate your Jewish holidays on your Jewish vacation without breaking Jewish faith.
0 Comments
We all know cruises are fun and exciting, especially kosher cruises. However, vacationing to new and underrated places should be tried at least once. Plan your next Jewish tours to the city of Salta in Argentina! Chalked with stunning architecture, lively streets, elegant cuisine, and breathtaking scenery, Salta is an awesome destination for you to explore. Here are some places you can visit at Salta! Tren a las Nubes To start off your magical vacation in Salta, you should take a ride on the Tren a las Nubes, or better known as Train to the Clouds. Travel through the Salta–Antofagasta railway line of the Belgrano Railway and experience the gorgeous scenery aboard the 5th highest train in the world. Traverse across mountains and deserts, and pass through the country in style and luxury. Book your train ride now and enjoy a once in a lifetime experience on Tren a las Nubes. Quebrada de Humahuaca If you’ve heard of the rainbow mountains in Peru, you’ll surely appreciate this spectrum of colors on these mountain ranges. Quebrada de Humahuaca is an underrated destination for tourists, but it’s definitely the better place to visit. The 14 colored mountains will leave you in awe. With barely any tourists around, the spectacular sight can be enjoyed in peace. Make sure to visit it during the sunset to see an even more vibrant range of colors. Vineyards and Wine at Cafayate
Everyone loves a good sip of wine, and plenty of wine can be found at Cafayate! This small town lies in the Calchaquí Valleys, known for the reddish mountains and canyons. Cafayate is also known as the wine town of Salta, dotted with wineries and vineyards that you can explore and visit for wine tasting! There are plenty of artisanal shops in the marketplace that sell jewelry and fabrics for you to purchase, including quaint boutiques, cafes and restaurants. Delve into the culture and majesty of the small town of Cafayate as you venture through Salta on your future Jewish tours. |
Archives
February 2024
Categories |