| "Something isn't Kosher about this." This | | | | half on the highest setting and this will make the |
| statement is probably one of the most famous | | | | oven kosher. |
| uses of the word 'kosher' and it's application. | | | | After the oven is clean, the next area to be |
| However, even though this statement does in | | | | cleaned should be the sink. If you have two sinks |
| fact use the word properly, the concept is still | | | | in your kitchen, you can designate one for meat |
| one that is generally obscure to those outside the | | | | and one for dairy. If you only have one, you will |
| fold of Judaism and any knowledge of the | | | | have to keep your sink very clean or store your |
| concept behind the word is limited to food. The | | | | used dishes in separate basins. Regardless, the |
| idea of kosher, also known as Kashrut, refers to | | | | sink should be cleaned thoroughly and then left |
| a given object's status in regards to usage in the | | | | unused for a full 24-hour period. Once the 24-hour |
| performance of Mitzvah. In this case, it refers to | | | | period has ended, you should boil a pot of water |
| the object possessing all of the attributes Jewish | | | | until it has reached a consistent rolling boil and |
| Law demands in order to perform the ritual or | | | | then pour the water into sink, trying to get the |
| mitzvah with. This means the Tefillin that men | | | | water to cover as much of the sink as possible. |
| wear on weekday mornings must have certain | | | | At this point you can consider your sink Kosher. |
| characteristics such as being all black, in a square | | | | The next step is to clean all surfaces in the |
| box shape and have black straps attached to it. | | | | kitchen. This includes all countertops, shelves and |
| In regards to food, the idea of Kashrut definitely | | | | all the surfaces (including racks) in the refrigerator |
| applies and its correct application is one of the | | | | and freezer. All that is necessary is a thorough |
| most complex areas of Jewish Law. | | | | cleaning and ensuring that all non-kosher material is |
| In regards to food, Kosher in the most general | | | | removed and disposed of. If you have a stone |
| sense means meat and milk can not be mixed | | | | countertop, you do not have to thoroughly scrub |
| together and the rather lengthy list of mammals, | | | | them (although this would be a good idea from a |
| birds, reptiles, rodents and insects mentioned in | | | | hygienic point of view); all you have to do is pour |
| Leviticus which are unfit for consumption. Going | | | | a boiling pot of water over the counters and they |
| beyond this basic explanation reveals several | | | | can then be considered kosher. |
| volumes of Jewish Law dedicated to Kashrut with | | | | The final step is to purchase new utensils and |
| numerous disputes, discussions and differences | | | | dishes if necessary, immerse them in a Mikvah |
| between leading Authorities in Jewish Law. One of | | | | and do hag'alat keilim on any utensils you decide |
| the most complex and practical areas of Kashrut | | | | to save. It should be noted that porcelain and clay |
| is how to make a kitchen kosher. | | | | utensils can not be purified in a Mikvah and must |
| The first step towards making a kitchen kosher is | | | | be disposed of. Thus it is likely that you will need |
| to get rid of all non-kosher food and products | | | | new dishes. The Mikvah is essentially a ritual bath |
| that contain non-kosher ingredients. This involves | | | | that contains rainwater. Men and women use the |
| looking at all products present in the kitchen and | | | | Mikvah to purify themselves on different |
| verifying that they do not contain insect extract | | | | occasions. If this does not sound hygienic, rest |
| or products from non-kosher animals. Some of | | | | assured that there are separate Mikvahs for men |
| the most common food and ingredients that must | | | | and women as well as a separate Mikvah for |
| be disposed of include those products that come | | | | utensils. Immersing a utensil in the Mikvah |
| from pig - such as lard, or food colorings, which | | | | removes any sort of ritual impurity from it and |
| usually come from insects. Those items which | | | | makes it fit for use. |
| contain non-kosher ingredients must be thrown | | | | The last step is called Hag'alat Keilim. In this last |
| out or sold to someone who does not keep | | | | step, the utensils you decided to save should be |
| Kosher. | | | | put into a pot of boiling water for approximately |
| Following this basic step, the oven must be | | | | 30 seconds. The heat and steam from this pot |
| cleaned thoroughly, as must the racks and even | | | | will remove any ritual impurity and removes any |
| the sides and doors of the oven. After the oven | | | | status your utensils have. Upon completion of this |
| is cleaned, you should run a self-cleaning cycle. | | | | final step, you can consider your kitchen |
| This cycle will make anything still present in the | | | | completely kosher. It's a good idea to designate |
| oven unfit to be eat and will ensure that your | | | | certain areas of your kitchen as meat and milk |
| now kosher oven does not have any problems. If | | | | areas so dishes do not get mixed up and then |
| you do not have a self-cleaning cycle on your | | | | have questions about whether something is |
| oven, you should run the over for an hour and | | | | kosher or not. |