Kosher, Pesach And Gemilut Hasidim As The Expressions Of Judaism Beliefs

KOSHER

Kosher food is blessed by Jews before consuming and certain types of food can be Kosher without a rabbi or priest giving permission. Kosher food is within the laws of Shabbat and an observant Jew is one who abides these laws. There are 3 simple elements of Keeping Kosher, according to Jewish Law. These include; “Not eating any non-kosher animals, avoid eating meat and dairy together and only eating meat that was slaughtered in a certain way, and drained of blood.” Kosher food laws are in place all year round, including Pesach. Certain food is classified as Kosher if prepared according to the Torah. Kosher meat species must be slaughtered by a ritual slaughterer the ‘Schochet’. Jewish law prohibits pain caused to animals by Jews so the slaughtering technique must be in a way in which unconsciousness occurs instantaneously followed by death.

Torah does not state any reason why Jews are required to eat only Kosher food but some modern Jews believe that the laws of Kosher are for primitive health regulations in food preparation. Although Kosher food is good for the body, Jews believe that they keep kosher because it is “good for the soul”. This ritual enables adherents to make Judaism a living and a dynamic religion because it is “making conscious holy choices every day and these shared Kosher standards help to bring communities closer through meals”. Jewish adherents believe that by following this law out of the Torah, they are connecting to the ancient traditions of their faith and following the exact words of God given to Moses on Mt Sinai. Kosher makes Judaism living and dynamic due to it still being followed and obeyed in today’s society and restaurants catering to separate milk and meat which is an example of a dynamic world which caters for those who follows their beliefs. Kosher impacts Judaism being a dynamic and living reaction as it connects to mosaic law assigned to Moses from God and by sticking to this belief, Jews believe they are establishing a closer relationship with God. Jewish adherents believe what makes it spiritual, is physical and by following the thousands of years tradition of Kosher, they are acting upon this.

PESACH

Pesach is an eight day festival of Passover, which celebrates the Israelites liberation from slavery in ancient Egypt by God with the leadership of Moses. The name Passover comes from the Miracle in which God “passed over” Jewish homes during the tenth plague of Israelites. Jews have followed Jewish law from God since before 1300BC and each year, Jews celebrate Pesach with a feast. Before the celebrations begin, the Torah states that the house must be completely cleaned from any traces of chametz (leaven) in commemoration of the Jews leaving Egypt before their bread was left to rise. Because of this, Jewish law strictly forbids leavened grains being eaten during this celebration. Food celebrations intend to “help Jews relive God’s great redemptive act, albeit in a vicarious manner”. The first born male within a family must fast on the day before Passover begins to celebrate their escape from the Plague of the firstborn.

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During Pesach, on the first 2 nights, a ritual Seder meal is provided with friends and family traditionally in the home and the last two days are considered as days of rest. It is also known as the festival of freedom and one of the most celebrated and popular holidays within Jewish communities and expresses their own desire for freedom. Pesach contributes to Judaism being dynamic and living because it fulfils Jews lives. Jews believe that its importance to Individuals today and throughout history contribute to the dynamic traditions which recognise the Israelites freedom given by God. Many associate their theology and God as the “liberator of humanity” by connecting Jewish adherents with the ancient traditions of their faith. This celebration makes Judaism living as it is commemorates their past and the redemption of Israelites becoming the connection of the Jewish understanding of God and the ethics and divine morality. Pesach impacts Judaism being a dynamic and living religion as it connects to mosaic law assigned to Moses from God and they believe they are committing themselves to their past and heritage.

Gemilut Hasidim

Gemilut Hasidim is the acts of ‘loving kindness’. Gemilut Hasadim is a form of social justice work which contributes to the community. Not only is it a “ fundamental social value in the everyday lives of Jews” but shows kindness and faithfulness in performing acts of Gemilut Hasadim in mosaic law from God. Gemilut Hasadim is a significant ethical concept within the Jewish tradition because it comes from a ‘compassionate heart’. An old Jewish saying says “Charity awaits the cry of distress. Gemilut Hasadim anticipates the cry of distress”. This is because any person Jew or not can give money to a charitable cause, but Gemilut Hasadim is [image: ]donating the time with loving kindness. As in the Talmud, Gemilut Hasadim acts are done for benefit or compensation but with no return. They are relationships which highlight selflessness of service to interface Gods love and kindness towards others and humanity. There are many types of Gemilut Hasadim within the world and by doing ‘acts of loving kindness’ they are following in Gods footsteps.

The Talmud teaches that those who are engaged with communities and surround themselves with others while giving their time, recognise the conventual aspect of chesed (Compassion, benevolence). The Talmud teaches that the reward for loving kindness is within the world and one who receives love and help, are more likely to pass on that love to another. This tradition is highly significant within Jews lives because they are seen in the image of God and restored into the community. Some popular Gemilut hasadim’s include Bikkur Holim (visiting the sick), Nichum Avelim (Comforting mourners), Hospitality, Social welfare and Tikkum Olam (repairing the world). The highest level of achieving gemilut hasadim is through attending a funeral service. God was the first to demonstrate the significance upon burying the dead, as written in the Torah and this is because the dead cannot repay kindness. The Mitzvah of Gemilut Chassadim refers to both the poor and rich, but also the dead and living. It is personal service, attitude and involvement rather than voluntary and has no restrictions, unlike Tzedakah. Through Gemilut Hasadim, Jews believe they are making the world a better place, by performing these acts, they become partners with God. Some believe that Gemilut Hasadim is the most fundamental and comprehensive belief of Judaism and as said in the Talmud, “the world rests upon three things, Torah, avodah, and Gemilut hasadim”. Jews believe that without Gemilut Hasadim, humanity cannot exist due to there being no society because of there being no morality or social justice in the world. Gemilut Hasadim is recognised in the Torah within the commandment, where it states ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’ meaning, Jews must love fellow Jews to follow Gods path. Gemilut Hasadim is not only very significant within the Jewish community but is an ethical value in their everyday lives.

Bibliography

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