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Our Temple has dietary laws that are meant to preserve the cleanliness of our food and the health of our members. Following these simple rules will help you to eat clean and healthy. Many of our laws are similar to the Glatt Kosher diet, with the addition of the organic health movement.

Please respect Orthodox belief in modesty when shopping in Kosher stores. In public chest, shoulders, arms, and feet should be covered and nothing ostentatious should be worn.

Manners are of the most importance. Regional culture may inhibit the full practice of our dietary laws. When a guest it is more important to be polite and please your guest. In situations where it is not possible to follow our Temple diet, common sense, manners, and regional culture prevail.

"The healthiest food is the smile of your host."-The Dalai Lama

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Our diet is basically a limited vegetarian diet with the additon of necessary animal products needed for good nutrition. Your doctors advice should be followed when necessary.

1. The separation of meat and dairy on the table. We forbid the eating of meats and dairy together in one meal. They should also be separated in cooking, cleaning, and in the refrigerator. Never place meats and dairy on the same table. The concept is the love of the mother for child. To place the milk of the mother on the same table or meal with the flesh of the baby is not permitted. This is an ancient law from the Glatt Kosher diet.

2. You may eat meat in reasonable portions. Remember the life the animal gave for you. Eat meat in moderation. The prices of kosher meats will likely be sufficient to moderate the eating of red meats. Avoid any meat that is not hooved or is a scavenger.

Do not eat pork, ham, shellfish, and fish not easily scaled as they are banned. The eating of insects is banned. Any bird that is a scavenger, as a vulture, is banned.

Eggs may be eaten with meat or dairy, but meat and dairy must be separated. Kosher eggs have been checked that they do not have bloodspots. It is forbidden to eat an egg with a bloodspot.

The meat of animals with hooved feet may be eaten such as beef, lamb, and venison. Chicken may be eaten. Fish that is easily scaled and does not scavenge may be eaten. Stews and soups are excellent.

Some kosher laws allow fish to be eaten with dairy, and some do not. It is forbidden to eat fish containing fish worms.

If shopping in Kosher stores some foods may not be available on certain holidays. For example, during passover it is forbidden to eat breads, grains, or legumes. That is why some Matza say passover certified and some do not.

If prices inhibit your natural human needs for meats shop selectively. Purchase kosher poultry and ground beef. Purchase fish, lamb, and bone marrow from your regular or organic grocery store.

Following is the hiearchy of meat types.

Your local store may have already selected kosher meats for the shelf. Remember do not mix meats with dairy when shopping. Please eat meats in moderation, a living creature gave its life that you may live, say a prayer for the spirit of the life given and the life created.

A. Glatt Kosher means the meat has been inspected by a Rabbi for impurities and unnatural marks. Rabbinical inspection is done after the initial FDA inspection. Rabbinical inspection is a much higher standard. It is also butchered according to Jewish dietary laws. The highest level of meats is the Glatt Kosher meats. Glatt Kosher means it has been inspected by a Rabbi to be certain there are no marks of impurities on the meat. Glatt Kosher meat is expensive, but it is clean, the high cost is meant to limit the amount of meat you eat.

B. Organic meat is grown in a natural environment known as organic or free range farming. Previous to the 1980's and the advent of factory farms all meat was free range. Butchering does not meet kosher standards.

C. Kosher is butchered according to Jewish dietary laws. Kosher is regular meat that is butchered with respect to the Jewish dietary laws. It is not organic, or inspected as thoroughly as Glatt Kosher.

D. Regular meat is what is sold in the supermarket. It is inspected by the government.

3. Breads should be natural, made with grain, water or apple juice, and salt. Yeast may be used, and you may decide not to add salt. Be careful of sugar and other ingredients. Natural cane sugar is acceptable. Try to buy bread that does not have artificial ingredients. Kosher stores, health stores, and bakeries will sell this bread. It is hard find in supermarkets, but some do sell it. If you are a good cook you may want to make it at home.

4. Fruit and vegetables are good for you eat. You should inspect all fruit and vegetables for unnatural marks before purchase. Only buy healthy looking fruit and vegetables. Grapes may be eaten and are a healthy choice, but grape juice should be certified as Kosher. Apple and pear juice is popular and is used in cooking. Grapes in fruit form are good to eat, but all grape juice products as wine and vinegar must be kosher.

5. Vinegar and vinegar products (mustard or ketchup) should be kosher as vinegar is made of grape juice. Apple cider vinegar meets standards. Kosher vinegars are available in kosher stores. They are not made with animal products.

6. Kosher eggs are checked to remove blood spots. Eggs may be purchased best from kosher stores, health food stores, and farms. The Glatt Kosher store in my area sells a brand called Martin Eggs which comes from the Amish farmers in Pennsylvania.

7. Cheese should be made on the farm, in Europe, or by a religious organization that will adhere to proper methods of cheese making. Farmers cheese is great and may be purchased in many stores. Farmers cheese adheres to our dietary laws. Kosher cheeses are available in Kosher stores. Slice the cheese thinly as it is a heavy farm cheese.

8. Beans and grains are healthy and good to eat.

9. Limit coffee and tea, you may drink them in moderate amounts. Tea is good for you especially without caffeine or herbal.

10. You may drink wine with meals in moderation. Kosher wines are not made with any animal products. Natural New York state wines are cold and sweet. Some mechanically pressed NY wines meet Kosher standards.

11. Alcohol should be used in moderation and only on social occasions. Do not overuse hard alcohol, it is a social instrument.

12. Tobacco is banned. Do not smoke.

13. Do not eat pork or ham.

14. Fish should have scales. Do not eat shellfish.

15. Always inspect all of your food before purchase and cooking. Never eat discolored food or food with anything that looks unnatural about it.

16. Kosher kitchens are a good idea, to keep meats separate from other foods. If you can not afford a Kosher sink, just use common sense and cleanliness.

That is good for today. I wish you all peace, health, and love

Blessings with Miriam and Lucifera,

Morning Star

Copyright 2008 Maiden of Light Holy Orthodox Temple