What does Kosher mean?

What is kosher food?

Kosher food is not food which is clean, pure or that has been blessed by a rabbi. It is regular food that simply conforms to the Jewish dietary laws found in the Bible. According to Leviticus, in order for an animal to be kosher, it must have split hooves and chew its cud. Thus, a cow is kosher but a pig is not.

The Hebrew word

The word kosher comes the Hebrew root kasher (├Ä├©├Ä┬«├Ä┬┐) which means "legitimate" or "appropriate." Interestingly, this is the same root that Modern Hebrew uses to refer to working out in a gym. What is the connection between these two seemingly unconnected concepts? Fitness! At its most basic level, the Jewish religion is a life system designed to keep us fit. Just as when you exercise, you make your body fit – so too when you observe kosher laws you make your house fit.