What specifications make a food certified kosher?!
Answers: I've heard from some people that the way the food is processed determines if it is Kosher or not, and other people have said that the food need only be blessed by a rabbi to be kosher. What are the actual requirements neccessary to make a food certifiably kosher?
First off, it's an old myth that a Rabbi blesses food. The Rabbi will inspect the ingredients, or will check the hechsher(the approved kosher symblol) to verify if it is acceptable in the community.
The Hebrew word kosher means fit or proper as it relates to kosher dietary law. Kosher foods are permitted to be eaten, and can be used as ingredients in the production of additional food items.
The basic laws of Kashrus (a Hebrew word referring to kosher and its application) are of Biblical origin (Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 17). For thousands of years, Rabbinic scholars have interpreted these laws and applied them to contemporary situations. In addition, Rabbinic bodies enacted protective legislation to safeguard the integrity of kosher laws.
The laws of kashrus are complex and extensive. The intention of this guide is to acquaint the reader with some of the fundamentals of kashrus and provide insight into its practical application.
Given the complex nature of the laws of kashrus, one should consult an Orthodox Rabbi whenever a kashrus issue arises.
Though an ancillary hygienic benefit has been attributed to the observance of kashrus, the ultimate purpose and rationale is to conform to the Divine Will, as expressed in the Torah.
Not too long ago, most food products were made in the family kitchen, or in a small factory or store in the local community. It was relatively easy to ascertain if the product was reliably kosher.
If Rabbinical supervision was required, it was attended to by the rabbi of the community, who was known to all. Today, industrialization, transcontinental shipping and mass production have created a situation where most of the foods we eat are treated, processed, cooked, canned or boxed commercially in industrial settings, which can be located hundreds or thousands of miles away from home.
What adds further complication is that it is generally not possible to judge the kosher status of an item on the basis of the information provided in the ingredient declaration for a variety of reasons.
First, the product may be made from kosher ingredients, but processed on non-kosher equipment.
Second, the USDA does not require the listing of certain processing aids, such as pan liners and oils that serve as release agents. Though not legally classified as ingredients, these items could nonetheless render the product non-kosher.
Third, many ingredients can be kosher or non-kosher, depending on their source of origin. For example, glycerin and emulsifiers are made from either vegetable or animal oils.
Finally, many ingredients are listed only in broad terms, with no breakdown of the many complex components that make up the actual item. For example, a chocolate flavor may contain 50 ingredients, but the ingredient declaration will list this entire complex of ingredients as "flavors".
Unless a person is an expert in food production, the average consumer cannot possibly make an evaluation of the kosher status, which is why it is important to purchase only those products that have the endorsement of a reliable kosher agency, such as the OU or Star K, or other approved and reliable hechshers.
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I am a Meschgiach, appointed by my Orthodox Rabbi after taking courses in Kashrus, and food preparation.
Judaism, a Mashgiach (Hebrew: ?????) is a person who supervises the kashrut status of a kosher establishment.
A Mashgiach may supervise any type of food service establishment, including slaughterhouses, food manufacturers, hotels, caterers, nursing homes, restaurants, butchers, or groceries.
The mashgiach usually works as the on-site supervisor and inspector, representing the kashrut organization or a local rabbi, who actually makes the policy decisions for what is or is not acceptably kosher.
Sometimes the certifying rabbi acts as his own Mashgiach; such is the case in many small communities.
I cater out of our milcheg (dairy) and fleshig (meat) kitchens at the shul and my Kashrus certificate allows me to work without supervision - THOUGH I can not bring any food into the kitchens without the Rabbi verifying the proper hechsher.
I could go on and on about this topic, which to me is very interesting. But, if you are truly interested, try these sites for detailed info.:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mashgiach
http://www.oukosher.org/index.php/faqs/
http://everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=...
no dairy and a rabbi blesses it
Its a little of all those things. Primarily its how the food is processed and handled that makes it Kosher.
The Meaning of the Term
The word "kosher' is one of Judaism's contributions to the international vocabulary. People of other cultures and languages use the term in its original meaning-denoting that which is proper and meets accepted rules and standards.
In Judaism, the term "kosher" is not used exclusively for ritually edible food. We refer to tefillin and Torah scrolls as kosher to mean that they meet all halachic (Jewish legal) requirements. The expression can even be applied to people. Acceptable witnesses are called edim k'sherim; adam kasher is an upright, proper, observant Torah Jew. Its most common use today, of course, is in regard to food. Food is relevant to all, and it is regarding food that "kosher" or "non-kosher" is encountered most often.
Food may be designated non-kosher for a variety of reasons. They include the species involved (for example; the pig) the manner in which the food was processed (such as an animal improperly slaughtered, or the mixing of milk and meat); or time (leavened product not properly disposed of prior to Passover or food cooked on the Sabbath).
well here is a good source to get the correct information
http://www.jewfaq.org/kashrut.htm
The WAY ??? No I believe it is the manner and procedures..
the concept is cleanliness and respect..
a Rabi is called to inspect and approve..
as for prayers and hocuspocus. I don't know.. I don't believe in magic either