The food laws are a sign of discipline. Jews are able to observe laws, limit themselves with what they eat, control their appetites unlike animals who eat whatever suits them when they wish to eat. Moses Maimonides a 12th century philosopher once said that ‘The dietary laws train us to master our appetites and not to consider eating and drinking the end of man’s existence.’ He is saying that Jews have to control themselves as they are blessed to be living on this earth and should not take advantage by eating away what God and man have made for everyone in this world. The point he makes emphasises that people are made in the ‘image of god’ and that Jews should respect God’s laws and always say a blessing.
The kashrut are centered around home life. This is very important as is helps to make sure that Jews keep in touch with their family and home life. It is important for Jews to stay connected to their roots as the family is central to the close Jewish community. The food laws can be inconvenient at times. For example not being able to mix meat and milk when a Jew is going to a non-Jewish house or a restaurant with friends makes life difficult. This means that Jews eat more together and feel more of a community as they all have something in common. All Jews are constantly aware when eating and preparing food that God is around them and they must respect his wishes and the food laws are there for all Jews to observe.
In the ‘Talmud’, a Jewish holy book it states that ‘a man’s table is like the altar’ meaning that what is on their table i.e. your food and drink, should be treasured by Jews and everyone should be grateful for what they have before them. The altar is extremely important in Judaism and the Talmud is saying that Jews should treat their food and drink with the reverence with which they would treat holy items on the altar in the synagogue.
Some of the food laws for example washing hands and sprinkling salt are all actions from the past. If you observe the laws you are taking part in the same rituals which a priest would have taken part in many years ago, and that is an extremely special and sacred thing to do.
There is a saying ‘you eat to live not live to eat’ meaning that you only eat what you need to survive in this world. If you eat more than you need to live in this life then you are not treasuring life and not treasuring what man has made for everyone to share. The whole point of life is to live it to the full, not eat the world away and to respect the wishes of your religion. Jews must eat with thought and reverence by observing the food laws.
Another famous quote is ‘you are what you eat’ saying that if you eat proper, fitting, healthy food then that is what you will be. However, if you eat only junk food or poorly prepared food then you will not be a good or proper person because you do not respect your food, yourself or your God. These are just some of the reasons why it is important for Orthodox Jews to continue to observe the laws. As long as the food laws are observed they will pass down the generations and ensure the continuation of Judaism.
