Concept of Kosher and its importance to Jewish Community

Abstract

Purpose: This study is trying to find Jews community tourism, different categories of Kosher food, its sources, related dietary rules and specific occasions for its consumption.

Design/Methodology/Approach: This study comprises the exploratory analysis of Jews community’s tourists and residents of that community in India especially at Delhi and Mumbai. Observation method and focussed interview of Jews tourists and residents of Jews community have been undertaken by the scholar after analysis of secondary sources available. The variables were identified from the available reviews and data were analysed qualitatively.

Findings: Kosher is a highly specialized food, preferred by and oriented for, the Jewish community of the world. Kosher means something which is “fit” or appropriate and is known to be most appropriate to be eaten by a Jew. Kosher has its root in the Hebrew bible and is supposed to be defined by the Rabbi, since centuries ago when Torah (Hebrew Bible) was written. As per Torah, Jewish God proclaimed that vegetarian food is the best and purest form of food to be considered by a real Judaism-abiding person. Since kosher food is attached to the eating lifestyle and certain mannerism and belief it is very important to ensure that guests who are invited can have the entire dinner process as per their point of view how Kosher should be. People observing kosher meals have their own way of looking at things. To understand this significant global cuisine- trend, it is important to know its origin, its journey of last 2000 years, its recent path-breaking blend and characteristics that makes it a divine-like food, most acceptable to multi- community, ranging from sports person to celebrity, to even Muslims, vegetarians, neo-rich class, gym-lovers and not just the Jews of the world. The present paper is going to elaborate these aspects.

Originality/ Value: This study seeks to add to the greater pool of knowledge with respect to Jews tourism in India. The idea of this research is to examine sources of Kosher food and its concept, dietary rules for kosher food consumption, specific occasion for kosher food consumption and its categories.

Paper Type: View Point