avi@hogpd.UUCP (Avi E. Gross - ABI at Lincroft NJ) (07/15/83)
umcmp-cs/chris wanted to know what the meaning of (U) was on cereal boxes - now that we have solved the deeper meanings of (R) and (TM). To put it simply, the symbol means that the food is "Kosher". The (U) is usually pronounced something like Oh-You (a letter "O" circumscribing a letter "U") and refers to certification by a board of Rabbis called the "Union of Orthodox Congregations of America" (I think). I believe that this is a registered trademark - and it is illegal to include it on your food packages without permission. Food that contains this label has to be prepared in accordance with Orthodox Jewish dietary laws. This includes such well-known features as no pork, and less well known ones like keeping meat and dairy ingredients from being in the same dish (e.g. veal parmegian is not allowed). The food is usually made in plants that are regularly inspected by rabbinical staff. Several other brands are also used on food. The "K" mark is not a certified trademark, and can be unreliable. When properly used, it means "Kosher". At times people have placed the mark on non-kosher items. Not all Jews are satisfied with the degree of certification offered by these symbols. Some people will only eat food certified by a person they know and trust. I even know a few who only eat food prepared by their wife or mother. On the other hand, less traditionally observant Jews are less careful. Many Jews have a typical "American" diet that includes anything they feel like eating and just ignore the laws of Kashruth. Avi Gross P.S. Interestingly enough, the Moslem dietary laws are largely a subset of the Jewish laws. Therefore, many Moslems buy their meat at kosher butcher stores.
reza@ihuxb.UUCP (07/18/83)
Avi is right about the relationship between Muslim and Jewish dietary laws. Actually Jewish and Muslim jurisprudence are very similar. BUT! I believe that a Muslim would have problems buying his meat from a kosher butcher. In Islam you slaughter an animal by slashing the main artery of the neck, then you have to wait until the blood is completely discharged before you can cut the meat ( it may be cruel but it is supposedly better for you.) Now, would kosher meat satisfy this? I do not think so. There are also problems with other rules added to the procedure by people; such as saying the name of God first, giving water to the animal, making the animal face Mecca, etc. H. Reza Taheri ...!ihnp4!ihuxb!reza (312)-979-1040 P.S. If you consider all the religious, cultural, lingual, and even racial similarities between the Muslim Arabs and Jewish Israelis, ... But then that's another story.