Halal vs Kosher

“Halal” is a term in Arabic that refers to things that are allowed. The purpose of eating food that’s labeled as Halal is due to religious significance in Islam. “Kosher” comes from a Hebrew term and refers to things that are proper. Keeping Kosher is also tied to religious significance in Judaism. There are many similarities between these two diets, and there are also a few differences.

Both of these diets are connected to purity and the value of life. Specifically, many of the regulations these diets require are directly tied to the proper consumption of food while valuing life itself.
When we hear folks talking about Halal food, we often think of meat, specifically prepared and deemed Halal. Meat is accepted as Halal when livestock is treated respectfully and with care during their lives, even when they’re slaughtered. Halal meat is essentially a guarantee that the animals were treated properly, a stark contrast to the poor conditions faced by many animals in the factory farms. With Kosher-labeled meat, the same is true; animals need to be treated and slaughtered in specific ways to be allowed to be eaten.

While there are many intricate rules and customs associated with each diet that differentiate them from each other, there are a few significant differences to consider. For Jews, one notable element of keeping Kosher is separating meat from dairy. This is done for purity reasons, and Jews won’t prepare meals that involve meat and dairy simultaneously. Jewish households will often use separate dining ware as a part of the Kosher meal preparation process.
Another difference between the two is the consumption of alcohol. Alcoholic beverages are Kosher, provided they’re labeled Kosher, but alcoholic drinks aren’t Halal. Wine is often used in most Jewish traditions, and blessings are said over it, and it has various symbolic meanings when consumed during certain celebrations like Passover.

Ultimately, both diets are similar in more ways than they’re different. Both are followed by individuals because they value their religion and the significance that Halal and Kosher diets have in their faith. Halal and Kosher consumption is not limited to food themselves; the rules apply to the preparation of goods as well. Both Halal and Kosher rules prohibit certain foods, such as specific animals, due to their lack of purity. When it comes to livestock preparation, which is often the most commonly discussed part of Halal and Kosher diets, both Islamic and Judaic cultures care about treating animals properly and valuing their lives sufficiently.

We offer a variety of cuts in Chicken, Beef, Veal, Lamb, Goat, Wagyu, and Deli, which are very hard to come by at your regular grocer.