Kosher and Kashruth

The Kosher dietary laws, Kashruth, are based on the Torah, in particular the first five books. These rules also make up the basis of today's humane animal slaughter, most food processing and also give insight on kosher kitchen management. Shalom Village follows the traditions and interpretations of the orthodox branch of the Jewish religion.

There are two major concepts/considerations in the kosher dietary laws. One is the type of foods and another is the separation of meat and dairy products.

The Laws of Kashruth as they relate to all varieties of food are briefly summarized below. For complete laws, see an Orthodox Rabbi.

Meats 

Laws of Kashruth state that in order for an animal to be Kosher it must have two characteristics. It must chew its cud and it must have split hooves. Slaughtering of Kosher meat is done under the auspices of a Rabbi in the most humane way.

The meat group is the most strictly observed group of foods. Animals are divided into classifications of "acceptable" and "forbidden". The very state of the animal (alive, healthy, etc.) also determines if the meat is acceptable or not. And lastly, the preparing of the meat is important to its acceptability. The animals which are acceptable include the cow and calf, sheep and lamb, as well as the goat and kid. The fowl that are scavengers or birds of prey are not acceptable for use. The following characteristics are designated as acceptable for kosher food. The birds are: a. not birds of prey, (b) do not have a front toe (used for tearing flesh as in the vulture), (c) have a craw, and finally, (d) catch food thrown into the air, then drop it on the ground to tear it up before consuming it. The following are acceptable: turkey, chicken, duck, quail, Cornish rock hen. After slaughter the meat is still not Kosher until it is soaked in cold water for half an hour; it is salted with a heavy coarse salt on a slanted drain board for one hour; and it is rinsed in cold water three times. Liver must be koshered differently. It is salted, burnt over a fire and rinsed in cold water. The meat is then ready for use.

FISH that have fins and scales are acceptable. Shellfish are forbidden. Fish are considered PAREVE or neutral, therefore, fish can be eaten with either dairy or meat products. It can be eaten on either the dairy or meat plates. However, it cannot be mixed with the meat.

Slaughter 

Animals cannot be hunted and killed, but must be slaughtered   in a prescribed manner. A licensed slaughterer cuts the animal’s throat with one swift cut using a very sharp knife. This is the least painful method of slaughter and allows good drainage of the blood. Blood must be drained completely from a carcass. The Bible forbids the devouring of blood. The carcass is hosed down with water to further the draining of blood. An animal for kosher consumption must be in good health, killed in the least painful manner and the carcass washed down. The hindquarters below the sinew of Jacob cannot be used. This leaves the front quarters.

Milk Group 

The law prohibits using meat and milk at the same meal. The length of time between eating meat and milk varies, with many individuals now using a shorter time period. ("Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother's milk"). Kosher non- dairy cream substitutes can be used in coffee or tea with a meat meal.

Jewish law allows for the sick to be excepted from certain dietary laws. Therefore, at Shalom Village, nutrients needed by the elderly to be given in between meals which contain milk or milk products, will be allowed.

In order to generally conform with Jewish law, at Shalom Village breakfast and lunch will be dairy meals, and the evening meal will be considered a meat meal, even though at times it may be fish.

Separate dishes and utensils must be used for milk and meat dishes. Therefore, dairy dishes for breakfast and lunch will be stored and washed in the individual dining rooms whilst the meat dishes will be stored and washed in the main kitchen.

All cooking areas and utensils will be used, washed and stored in separate areas in the main kitchen.

Milk dishes stored in a refrigerator with meat dishes can be allowed if the dishes are tightly covered so there is no seepage.

At Shalom Village our kitchen has two separate coolers. Totally separate shelves for meat, dairy and Pareve divide the walk-in fridge. However, the refrigerators in each house will be kept for dairy products. Residents may keep food (dairy) brought by families in these refrigerators if it is clearly wrapped and marked by the family with the resident's name and date.

Mixes - Meat & Dairy 

As noted, meat and milk must not be mixed. Cheese, sour cream, and butter cannot be used in the making of a meat dish and cheeseburgers are not Kosher, i.e. ice cream will not be served with meat meals.

At Shalom Village, we bake with coffee-rich milk substitute; therefore, our cakes can be used with either a meat or milk meal. The pans and utensils are kept separate and are considered pareve (neutral). The same can apply to such dishes as rice pudding or some soups requiring milk. At Shalom Village our lunchtime soups are dairy. Most contain butter and milk. Eggs that have no blood spots and come from Kosher fowl are accepted as pareve.

Vegetables & Fruit

This is the most open group. In practical terms, all fruits and vegetables can be used without restriction, except during Passover, when most legumes are not eaten. Butter on a vegetable served with a chicken entrée is not permissible, because you cannot mix dairy products with meat.

Dried fruits, such as prunes, apples, apricots and raisins are enjoyed as dessert or as a snack. They are Pareve.

Eggs  

Eggs must be broken and inspected for blood specks before they can be used. Eggs, vegetables and fruit can be eaten with meat or milk (dairy) meals.

Bread & Cereal Group 

This group is again fairly open, except during Passover. Breads not made with animal fat or milk are considered PAREVE and can be eaten with all types of meat.

Matzoh is used throughout the year because it is liked, but it is the only meal allowed during Passover. Matzoh is the flat unleavened bread that was consumed because there was no time for bread to rise during the Exodus from Egypt.

Passover (PESACH) 

This is a Spring holiday that comes in March or April.

At Passover, the kitchen and four dining rooms are completely and thoroughly scrubbed down. Pantry shelves and the fridge are covered in tin foil and counters are covered with Passover counter tops. A Rabbi comes in to inspect all our cooking facilities and to Kosher for Passover the pots, cutlery, dishwashers, steam tables, stoves, ovens and counter tops. Pot and utensils that cannot be koshered are put away and replaced with Passover dishes. Both dairy and meat dinnerware are changed for the eight days.

We do not use any food products containing leavening agents, pasta, rice, flour, beans, etc. Bread is not served during the eight days of Passover. We serve both egg and regular matzoh. Residents who wish to have regular food (not Kosher or not Kosher for Passover) may do so in their own rooms on disposables. Please ask our staff for assistance. This food cannot come into the dining room and if it needs to be warmed up, there is a microwave in the staff lunchroom.

Our residents celebrate Passover with a "Seder". All the traditions are observed and traditional foods are served . Family members are invited to celebrate with us.

Passover can be a difficult time for non-Jewish residents and we appreciate the co- operation of our residents and families.

Hechshers (Seals of Approval) 

Many foods that can be used bear a particular mark. This is most often seen as a K or U or MK or have COR followed by a number. These have been inspected or produced under strict rabbinical law and are guaranteed to be Kosher. Detailed reading of the label is important in these matters.

Families will be encouraged to bring goodies for their relatives. However, any product brought into the facility which is not either purchased from our facility (cookies and muffins will be on sale), or from a Kosher bakery, cannot be taken into the dining rooms. The nearest Kosher bakery is in Westdale but for special occasions, families are to be encouraged to ask that our kitchen provide a cake.

Families can use the family dining room for special parties and occasions. They are to provide their own paper, disposable cloths and other disposable products. Shalom Village will be happy to cater cold food with appropriate arrangements being made between the family and kitchen. The office should be notified when such requests are made.

Non-Kosher food needing re-heating, which has been brought in by families for their resident, can be heated in the staff-room microwave oven only.

If you have any questions about Kashruth and Shalom Village please ask our staff.