Everyone hears people throwing around the word "kosher" here and there, but what does it really mean? The term "kosher" literally means "suitable" or "pure" for consumption. In order to determine what is appropriate for eating, one must follow the laws of the Torah regarding meat, dairy products, the mixing of meat and dairy, eggs, fruits, vegetables, cereals, wine, and other beverages.
Kosher sympathy baskets are the perfect gift to give for the Jewish
shiva. A shiva is a 7-day period of mourning and grief for the deceased's mother, father, brother, sister, son, daughter or spouse. Just as with other religions, gift baskets can be used to express one's sympathy. The only difference is, for the Jewish, the contents of these baskets must be purely "kosher."
Though it isn't common for one to send meat in their sympathy baskets, one may still choose to do so. The meat they choose to put must be from kosher animals such as cows, sheep, bulls, goats, and springbok. These animals must have been slaughtered in the appropriate way according to the Torah. That is, they have to be killed by a ritual slaughterer and the death must be instant. Forbidden fats and veins will then be removed.
A more common food product, cheese, must also be kosher. These cheeses must not have been manufactured with any derivatives from animals. You must also not place the cheese in the same basket with the meat. The combination of these two goes against the laws of the Torah.
Another food item that can be used in a sympathy basket is smoked salmon. This is permissible because salmon has both fins and scales. Any other seafood that does not have both of these is not allowed.
The most typical items for a sympathy basket are fruit. Any food that grows in soil, plants, or trees is kosher.
Kosher wine can also be included in a sympathy basket. One must make sure, however, that gelatin, casein, and bull blood are not used. In the vineyard itself, plants may not have been crossbred with the grapes used for the wine.
Cookies, chocolate, nuts, dried fruit, and coffee are all acceptable as long as they are in alignment with the rules stated above.
While many sympathy gift baskets can be ordered as is, it is better that one makes the effort to customize it. One can choose the foods that the bereaved loves the most. They can even decorate it according to his or her favorite colors. Incorporating symbols of continuity, with a round basket for example, will make your kosher sympathy baskets much more meaningful.
