Kosher Q&A

Kangaroos don't chew their cud and have split hooves, as kosher mammals must.

Horses neither chew their cud nor have split hooves.

Zebras neither chew their cud nor have split hooves.

Although not kosher, the donkey is the single non-kosher animal whose firstborn is holy.

Like all reptiles and amphibians, alligators and crocodiles are not kosher.

Like all amphibians and reptiles, frogs are not kosher.

Like all reptiles and amphibians, turtles are not kosher.

Octopus does not have fins and scales.

Squid does not have fins and scales.

Lobster does not have fins and scales.

Catfish do not have scales

Swordfish does not have the kind of scales required for kosher fish.

Monkfish do not have scales.

Since sturgeon scales cannot be removed easily, the fish is not kosher.

Calamari does not have fins and scales.

Scallops do not have fins and scales.

Mussels do not have fins and scales.

Shrimp does not have fins and scales.

Oysters do not have fins and scales.

Crab does not have fins and scales.

Apples are kosher. If grown in Israel or from a young tree, more considerations come into play.

Nuts are essentially kosher, but there are more particulars.

Rice is a kosher ingredient, but there are more particulars.

Quinoa is essentially kosher, but some considerations exist.

Soy is essentially kosher, but there are important considerations.

Milk of kosher animals is kosher. However, milking process must be supervised by a Jew.

Milk of goats is kosher. However, milking process must be supervised by a Jew.

Only yogurt with a reliable kosher certification may be eaten.

Only butter with a reliable kosher certification may be eaten.

Only cream cheese with a reliable kosher certification may be eaten.

Only feta cheese with a reliable kosher certification may be eaten.

Only cheese with a reliable kosher certification may be eaten.

In order for ice cream to be accepted as kosher, it needs to be marked so by a reliable certifying agency.

Many, but not all, cakes are kosher. Some cakes contain non-kosher ingredients or are processed on the same equipment as non-kosher (or dairy), so it is imperative to purchase cakes that are certified kosher.

We do not have a definitive tradition about the status of peacocks, and they should not be eaten.

Mahi mahi is a fish that has fins and scales, which means that it is kosher. However, fish are often mislabeled, so care must be taken to identify them correctly.

Many of the fish known as rockfish are indeed kosher, care must be taken to identify them properly.

The term “grouper” refers to several species of large-mouthed heavy-bodied fish, some of which are indeed kosher.

The term turbot is particularly misleading as there are several kinds of fish that go by that name.

With the exception of certain locusts, insects are not kosher. And this includes crickets, which are not kosher.

A short Halacha thought.

The prohibition of eating the sciatic nerve.

Pollock is a fish that has fins and scales, which means that it is kosher. However, fish are often mislabeled, so care must be taken to identify them correctly.

Trout is a fish that has fins and scales, which means that it is kosher. However, fish are often mislabeled, so care must be taken to identify them correctly.

Haddock is a fish that has fins and scales, which means that it is kosher. However, fish are often mislabeled, so care must be taken to identify them correctly.

Mackerel is a fish that has fins and scales, which means that it is kosher. However, fish are often mislabeled, so care must be taken to identify them correctly.