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[[Image:OUKosher.JPG|thumb|right|250px|The circled U indicates that this product is certified as kosher by the Orthodox Union (OU).  The word "Pareve" indicates that this product contains neither milk- nor meat-derived ingredients.]]

[[Image:OUKosher.JPG|thumb|right|250px|The circled U indicates that this product is certified as kosher by the Orthodox Union (OU).  The word "Pareve" indicates that this product contains neither milk- nor meat-derived ingredients.]]

'''''Kashrut''''' or '''''kashruth''''', or "'''kosher'''" is the name of the [[Judaism|Jewish]] dietary laws. [[Food]] in accordance with ''halakha'' (Jewish law) is termed '''kosher''' in English, from the Hebrew term ''kashér'', meaning fit for consumption by Jews according to traditional Jewish law.

'''''Kashrut''''' or '''''kashruth''''', or "'''kosher'''" is the name of the [[Judaism|Jewish]] dietary laws. [[Food]] in accordance with ''halakha'' (Jewish law) is termed '''kosher''' in English, meaning fit for consumption by Jews according to traditional Jewish law.

Food that is not in accordance with Jewish law is termed ''trafe''; the Hebrew word refers to animals (from a kosher [[species]] such as [[cattle]] or sheep) which had been either incorrectly slaughtered or mortally wounded by wild animals and therefore were not fit for [[Jewish]] consumption. Among ''Sephardim'', it typically only refers to meat that is not kosher.  

Food that is not in accordance with Jewish law is named ''trafe''; the Hebrew word refers to animals (from a kosher [[species]] such as [[cattle]] or sheep) which had been either incorrectly slaughtered or mortally wounded by wild animals and therefore were not fit for [[Jewish]] consumption. Among ''Sephardim'', it usually only refers to meat that is not kosher.  

Many of the basic laws of ''kashrut'' are in the [[Torah]]'s Book of [[Leviticus]], with their details set down in the oral law (the Mishnah and the [[Talmud]]) and codified by the ''Shulchan Aruch'' and later rabbinical authorities. Numerous reasons have been offered for these laws, ranging from philosophical and ritualistic, to practical and hygienic.

The basic laws of ''kashrut'' are in the [[Torah]]'s Book of [[Leviticus]], with their details set down in the [[Talmud]]. Numerous reasons have been offered for these laws, ranging from philosophical and ritualistic, to practical and hygienic. Although rabbi's will typically tell you that kosher food as being more hygienic than non-kosher food is a misnomer.

The word ''[[kosher]]'' has been borrowed by many languages, including English. In its strictest meaning it means "fit", but as in Yiddish it also generally means, authentic, acceptable, permissible, genuine or legitimate in a broader sense.

The word ''[[kosher]]'' in its strictest sense is defined as meaning, "fit", but as in Yiddish it also generally means, authentic, acceptable, permissible, genuine or legitimate.

==Further reading==

==Further reading==

*[http://www.grandin.com/ritual/kosher.slaugh.html Studies on pain during slaughter]

*[http://www.grandin.com/ritual/kosher.slaugh.html Studies on pain during slaughter]

*[http://learn.jtsa.edu/topics/luminaries/monograph/forum_ar.shtml Conservative Judaism viewpoints on which methods should be considered kosher]  

*[http://learn.jtsa.edu/topics/luminaries/monograph/forum_ar.shtml Conservative Judaism viewpoints on which methods should be considered kosher]  

*[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/2977086.stm Proposed British ban on kosher and halal meat]

*[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/2977086.stm Proposed British ban on kosher and halal meat]

*[http://www.viva.org.uk/campaigns/ritual_slaughter/ Campaign against all ritual slaughter]

*[http://www.viva.org.uk/campaigns/ritual_slaughter/ Campaign against all ritual slaughter]