How to Keep Kosher: A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding Jewish Dietary Laws (Hardcover)

by Lise Stern (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
For some, keeping kosher is as simple as eschewing bacon and cheeseburgers. For others, keeping kosher is a complex series of rituals that may appear intimidating to the uninitiated. Whether readers are simply curious or are considering keeping kosher themselves, Stern's resource is a good place to start. The author, a conservative Jew who started keeping kosher as a young girl, provides a clear, concise summary of Jewish dietary restrictions. This isn't a simplistic overview, but a serious and impressively researched digest that tackles basic and complex issues, and examines the historical and legal reasoning behind the laws. Stern offers both Orthodox and conservative opinions on a range of issues, from what's considered an appropriate hechsher, or symbol, to how to make a kitchen kosher, and she discusses the laws of the Sabbath and various Jewish holidays, too. Of course, many of the topics Stern covers in a paragraph or two have inspired pages and pages of Talmudic discussion, some of which rabbinic authorities still argue about today, and as Stern herself isn't such an authority, she advises readers to address further questions to their own rabbis. Her recipes for traditional Jewish foods, such as Chicken Soup with Matzo Balls, as well as her suggestions for innovative kosher dishes like Enchilada Lasagna, nicely complete this enlightening book.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
Cookbook author and food columnist Stern, who keeps a kosher home, explains not only the daily aspects of kashruth but also how and why following the Jewish dietary laws can reinforce the spiritual experience. She begins by looking right to the biblical source, the Torah, presenting a detailed commentary on traditional interpretations of the written word regarding food and food preparation--from meat and dairy products to beverages and additives. She follows up with thorough guidelines for cleansing and equipping the modern kitchen to adhere to the religious requirements and a month-by-month review of dietary obligations and food traditions associated with holiday celebrations, including extensive sections on Shabbat and Passover. A satisfying if not extensive or unusual roundup of recipes and some very helpful further resources round out this highly practical book, which links food to the fabric of the faith. Stephanie Zvirin
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow Cookbooks (August 17, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060515007
• ISBN-13: 978-0060515003
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.8 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #58,009 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #5 in	Books > Cooking, Food & Wine > Special Diet > Kosher
  #5 in	Books > Religion & Spirituality > Judaism > Kosher Foods
  #30 in	Books > Religion & Spirituality > Judaism > Jewish Life

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Classic Reference with More Info, Less Angst! , November 24, 2004

By	Carey Berg (Boston, MA USA) - See all my reviews

"How to Keep Kosher" isn't just about the food, thank goodness. For many culturally assimilated Jews, kashruth (Jewish dietary laws) is an endlessly nitpicky religious construct. For the observant, it's a richly satisfying, comprehensive philosophy that gives structure and meaning to everyday life and special occasions. And for almost everybody else, kosher or not, it's an ongoing source of, shall we say, spirited discussion.

You want "faith-based"? Here it is, fresh from Leviticus. Stern combines Biblical knowledge, extensive interviews with religious authorities,and wide-ranging research in chapters that are well-organized for easy ad hoc reference. Her writing style is conversational: clear, precise, even humorous. I find myself dipping into the book at random and getting caught up in intriguing details. That resinous glaze used for candy coatings is made from a Southeast Asian insect: not kosher.

What makes the book such an engaging read is Stern's tone:
warm and authoritative, inclusive of Conservative and Orthodox perspectives, and respectful of personal choices. Oh, and there are recipes, and lists of resources for further investigation. Yes, it's an ideal Chanukah present, but "Keeping Kosher" will
also fit comfortably on the bookshelves of any cook, whether committed to keeping kosher or merely curious.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Informative and Helpful, February 15, 2005

By	Maggie M (Columbus, Ohio) - See all my reviews

I am finding How to Keep Kosher a valuable tool to explain and de-mystify the how tos and whys of keeping kosher. This book is a must read for a Jew by choice, or a Jew wanting to live a more kosher life.
Lise Stern explains the process of kashering a kitchen, something which may seem very over whelming. I appreciate that she acknowledges how work intensive the kashering process can be, but as she explains the reasons for keeping kosher, it becomes more achieveable and worthwhile.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Informative and Educational, November 28, 2004

By	G. J Wiener (Westchester, NY USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

How to Keep Kosher : A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding Jewish Dietary Laws is very helpful for all audiences to kosher law. Many issues are discussed relating to holiday customs, not mixing milk and meat, the role of paerve foods, and kashering a kitchen. The differences between Orthodox, Conservative, Reconstructionist, and Reform views are discussed although it seems as if the Orthodox and Conservative views seem to get the most emphasis. Also some discussion on the customs of Succos, Passover, Chanukah, Shabbat, and High Holy Days exist.

Also very helpful are a list of recipies and Jewish information resources make a comprehensive glossary. Overall How to Keep Kosher : A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding Jewish Dietary Laws is a helpful resource particularly to those trying to learn about Kosher law.