Don’t go kosher but eat kosher

Dear Rabbi,

When we spoke, you said I may want to start looking for Kosher symbols on the food I buy. You also said even if I don’t “go kosher”, I can start to “eat kosher”. Isn’t it all or nothing? Is there such a thing as a partial mitzvah?

Sincerely,

N.S.K. (Not So Kosher)

Dear N.S.K.,

I did say that. Kosher isn’t all or nothing. It is a process. The concept of going kosher means that you need to start and then continue as you are ready. It is this way with all mitzvos – you gotta start somewhere! Then, keeping your eye on the goal, keep going in the right direction. Since you said you are committed to the goal of buying only kosher products, that is a great start! You have begun the process.

So looking for Kosher symbols is ok if it is 100% commitment. If it is a half/partial commitment, then…. We need to talk about it again face to face ;).

So where do we get together next? Coffee with masks or a supermarket tour?

Rabbi Kushi Schusterman

P.S. I don’t remember if you were raised keeping kosher or are you starting to discover what it is all about?

Here is a PDF of kosher symbols

Learn more about kosher here

If you want to go all in look at these two books:
“Going Kosher in 30 Days”
or
The Kosher Kitchen

Have an amazing and kosher Shabbos,

Rabbi Kushi Schusterman