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

Full disclosure: I am the mother of the author. Lise has written a book about Kashrut that has something for everyone--those just starting to consider "how to keep Kosher," and those who want to adopt the practice fully. She explains the historical reasons for each aspect of Kashrut, and then adds recipes of friends and family at the end--including my own matzah ball soup recipe. This is a very user-friendly compendium that I know everyone will enjoy. The book came out several years ago, but has not been surpassed in its field. I still buy copies as hostess gifts and engagemnt presents as it serves those purposes wonderfully. Joyce Stern

Great book. Till now I never got a proper explanation about what is kosher and what is not. Easy to understand and helped me a lot to understand its principles.

A useful introduction to keeping kosher, and to the differences not only between Orthodox Jews and more liberal denominations, but even between stricter and more lenient Orthodox views- although as the author repeatedly points out, there is no substitute for consulting the rabbi of your choice on details.

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.

"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.