Introduction to Biblical Kashrut

Kashrut is the Hebrew term for the dietary laws found in the Torah, often referred to in English simply as “keeping kosher.” These laws define what foods are permissible for Jews to eat and how those foods should be prepared. However, the way kashrut is practiced today varies greatly between Jewish communities. In Netzarim Judaism, we follow a Biblical approach to kashrut, rejecting the additions and legal innovations of the Talmud in favor of a straightforward, Scripture-based understanding.

The Foundation: Torah, Not Talmud

The laws of kashrut are primarily found in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14. These passages clearly list which animals are clean and unclean, define the prohibition on consuming blood, and establish basic rules around slaughter and food preparation. Netzarim Jews take these commands seriously but interpret them without the vast network of oral law traditions that grew up around them in Rabbinic Judaism.

For example, the Torah forbids boiling a young goat in its mother’s milk. Rabbinic Judaism extends this to a full separation of meat and dairy—down to using separate dishes, kitchens, and waiting several hours between meals. Netzarim Judaism reads the verse in context and does not accept these expansions as binding. We recognize that the Torah never commands a universal ban on mixing meat and dairy—only a specific prohibition related to pagan cooking rituals.

What is Kosher According to the Bible?

In its simplest form, Biblical kashrut teaches:

• Land animals must have both cloven hooves and chew the cud (e.g., cows, sheep, goats).
• Sea creatures must have both fins and scales (e.g., most fish, but not shellfish).
• Birds are permitted if they are not listed as forbidden scavengers or predators (e.g., chicken, dove).
• Insects are generally forbidden, with a few exceptions (e.g., certain locusts, though most Jews do not eat insects today).
• Blood must not be consumed. Meat must be thoroughly drained of blood.
• Fat from sacrifices, certain suet fats, and carrion (animals that died of natural causes or were torn) are prohibited.

We keep these commandments in ways that are logical, humane, and faithful to the plain meaning (p’shat) of the text, without creating excessive burdens.

Humane Slaughter and Blood Removal

The Torah teaches us not to consume blood, as it is the life of the creature (Leviticus 17:10–14). We therefore take care to slaughter animals in a way that drains the blood. Netzarim Jews may follow traditional shechita (Jewish slaughter) practices or other humane methods that honor the Torah’s intention. What matters is that the animal is killed ethically and the blood is properly removed—often by soaking and salting the meat or rinsing it thoroughly.

We reject the notion that only a rabbinically trained shochet (slaughterer) can make meat kosher. Any knowledgeable Jew who follows the basic Torah principles may do so.

The Role of Conscience in Practice

Netzarim Judaism emphasizes the primacy of conscience guided by Torah. We recognize that not all Jews are at the same place in their observance, and not every community will interpret every dietary rule exactly the same. Some may abstain from meat altogether for ethical reasons. Others may accept dairy and meat together as long as it avoids the specific prohibition mentioned in the Torah. Some may take extra steps for their own sense of holiness. All of these are respected within Netzarim Judaism.

What unites us is our shared commitment to live by Torah—not the additions of men.

Food and Holiness

Food is not just sustenance—it is spiritual. What we eat, how we eat, and how we treat the creatures of this earth are part of our worship. Keeping kosher is not about elitism or separation from others—it is about remembrance. Each bite is a reminder that we are a holy people, called to live in harmony with creation, to show restraint, to bless God in the ordinary.

How to Get Started with Keeping Kosher

For many people, especially those new to Judaism or coming from non-observant backgrounds, the idea of keeping kosher can feel overwhelming. The good news is: you don’t need to change everything all at once. Biblical kashrut can be embraced gradually and meaningfully. Here are practical steps to begin:

1. Learn the Basics

Start by reading Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14. Familiarize yourself with the basic lists of clean and unclean animals. This will help you identify what meats and fish are permitted.

2. Check Your Proteins

Begin by switching to meats and fish that are Biblically kosher:

• Avoid pork and shellfish.
• Eat only fish with fins and scales (like salmon, tuna, cod).
• Choose beef, lamb, chicken, and turkey, and begin seeking out ethically sourced meats.
• If possible, avoid meat that hasn’t been properly bled (some kosher-style or halal options may meet this standard).

3. Remove Blood

Make an effort to rinse and salt your meat before cooking. Soaking meat in water for 30 minutes and then salting and rinsing it again can help fulfill the biblical command to remove blood.

4. Avoid Processed Foods with Forbidden Ingredients

Start reading labels. Common non-kosher additives include gelatin (from pigs), lard, and shellfish derivatives. Gradually replace these with cleaner alternatives.

5. Keep a Simple Kitchen

You don’t need to create a separate kitchen or buy new cookware unless you want to. Simply focus on what the Torah forbids and avoid it. Many Netzarim Jews choose to avoid mixing meat and dairy in a single dish—but don’t adopt rabbinic fences unless they are meaningful to you.

6. Bless Your Food

Make it a practice to say a blessing or give thanks before you eat. This transforms the act of eating into an act of mindfulness and gratitude.

7. Don’t Obsess—Progress

Start small. Keep kosher at home first. Then move toward doing so when dining out. Don’t worry about being perfect. Every step toward holiness is meaningful.

8. Ask Questions and Learn in Community

Talk with others who keep Biblical kashrut. Reach out to a Netzarim rabbi if you have questions. Explore cookbooks, recipes, and Torah study related to food. This is a journey—not a test.

Conclusion: A Return to Simplicity

Netzarim kashrut is a return to the heart of the Torah. It avoids the tangled legal web of later tradition and instead embraces clarity, compassion, and conscience. We invite all Jews to explore the original words of the Torah and let them speak anew—simply, powerfully, and truthfully. In doing so, we honor not only God’s commandments, but also His wisdom in creating a path of life that is both holy and humane.