Kosher

Kosher is a Hebrew term that translates to "fit," or "proper." The word is most commonly associated with the dietary restrictions observed by Orthodox Jews. Reform Jews typically do not consider these restrictions so important, and thus they usually don't observe them. However, the word can be used to refer to other things, such as certain objects used in rituals. The requirements for a food to be considered Kosher are that it isn't a type of animal that has been outlawed in the Torah, and, if it is another type of animal, that it has been killed properly. When the food is prepared, care must be taken to remove blood from any meat. This was done by putting salt on the meat to draw the blood out. In fact, Kosher Salt got its name from this practice, because its large crystals meant that it was well-suited to preparing Kosher meats, since the salt took longer to dissolve, drawing out more blood. Additionally, it is not Kosher to combine meat and dairy products, or to use the same utensils for both meat and dairy.

"Kosher." Encyclopædia Britannica. 2007. Encyclopædia Britannica Online Library Edition. 10 Oct. 2007 <http://www.library.eb.com.ezproxy.hclib.org/eb/article-9046106>.

"What is kosher salt?" Ask Yahoo. 2003. Yahoo. 10 Oct. 2007 <http://www.library.eb.com.ezproxy.hclib.org/eb/article-9046106%gt;.