Is Turtle Meat Kosher?

Turtle meat is not considered kosher as reptiles, amphibians, and insects are all forbidden foods when it comes to Jewish dietary laws. This is according to Leviticus 11:29-30, 42-43.

Kashrut is the body of Jewish law dealing with what foods can and cannot be eaten and how these foods must be prepared and eaten. The word “Kashrut” comes from the Hebrew root Kaf-Shin-Reish, meaning fit, proper or correct. It is the same root as the more commonly known word “Kosher”. The word kosher, describes food that meets these standards. The word kosher can also be used to describe ritual objects that are made in accordance with Jewish law and are fit for ritual use.

Contrary to what many people believe however, rabbis or other religious officials do not “bless” food to make it kosher. While there are blessings that observant Jews have been known to recite over food before eating it, these blessings actually have nothing to do with making the food kosher. Food can still be kosher even without a rabbit or priest ever becoming involved with it.

Kosher dietary laws are observed all year round, and not just during Pesach or Passover. There are additional dietary restrictions during Passover and many foods that are considered kosher year-round are not considered kosher for Passover. Food that is not kosher is commonly referred to as Treif (meaning torn, from the commandment not to eat animals that have been torn by other animals).

Although the details of kashrut or keeping a kosher diet are extensive, the laws all derive from a few fairly straightforward rules. These rules are as follows:

• Certain animals may not be eaten at all. This includes the flesh, organs, eggs and milk of the forbidden animals.
• Of the animals that can be eaten, the birds and mammals must be killed in accordance with Jewish law.
• All blood must be drained from meat and poultry or broiled out of it before being consumed.
• Certain parts of permitted animals may not be eaten.
• Fruits and vegetables are permitted as long as they are inspected for bugs first. (Bugs and/or fruits or vegetables with bugs cannot be eaten).
• Meat cannot be eaten with dairy. Fish, eggs, fruits, vegetables, and grains can be eaten with either meat or dairy.
• There are some views that say other meat cannot be eaten with fish.
• Utensils that have come into contact with meat may not be used with dairy and vice versa. Utensils that have come into contact with non-kosher food should not be used with kosher food. This applies only where the contact occurred while the food was hot.
• Grape products made by non-Jews are not to be eaten at all.
• There are a few other rules that are not universal and vary upon the person.

Animals that cannot be eaten include the following:

• Of the “beasts of the earth” you may only eat any animal that has cloven hooves and chews its cud. Any land mammal that does not possess these qualities is forbidden. The Torah specifies that the camel, hare, pig, and rock badger are all not kosher since they lack these two qualities. Cattle, sheep, goats, deer, and bison are kosher.
• Of the things that are in the waters, you may eat anything with fins and scales. Thus, shellfish, lobster, oysters, shrimp etc. are not permitted.
• Rodents, reptiles, amphibians and insects are all forbidden.

For birds, the criteria are less clear. Birds such as chicken, geese, duck and turkeys are permitted. However some people choose to avoid turkey as it was unknown at the time of the giving of the Torah.