Myths Continued from preceding page Ceremonies like weddings and funerals may be performed only by a rabbi. J Kosher food is organic or healthier. ould it be that kosher are obligated C c to pass rigorous physical exams before they are slaughtered? Must they be able to lift barbells, jog a mile, swim 10 laps? "There are many misperceptions about kashrut," Rabbi Lane Ste- inger of Temple Emanu-El said. "One of the most common is that the dietary system is based on health." "The traditional view is that kashrut is God's law," he continued. Some have tried to put forth a rationale for kashrut. Years ago, when the animal slaughtering process was not regulated, pork was often infected with trichinosis. Similarly, some have suggested that mixing meat and milk may adversely affect the digestive system. Yet Halachah (Jewish law) does not forbid soup thick with chicken fat or cakes rife with sugar — hardly the kind of deli- cacies one would find in a health-food store. As part of the kashrut process, meat must be rig- orously inspected — a re- quirement closely followed millenia before this was demanded by the govern- ment. Also, kosher meat must be freshly slaugh- tered, Rabbi Steinger said. "But this still is no guar- antee that it's healthier than non-kosher meat," he added. Jews who convert to another religion are no longer Jewish. O nce a Jew, always a Jew, according to Halachah. By converting to another religion, a Jew will lose certain privileges, such as being counted in a minyan. But Halachah still regards him as Jewish. Halachah and the Israeli Supreme Court have dis- agreed on this issue, Rabbi Paul Yedwab of Temple Israel noted. Under the Law of Return, any Jewish man, woman or child may automatically obtain Israeli citizenship and all the rights that citizenship includes. In a landmark case in 1962, the Israeli Supreme Court addressed the issue of Jewish apostates. The case involved Oswald Rufeisen, better known as Brother Daniel, who was born Jewish but converted to Christianity in 1942. Three years later, he became a monk. Brother Daniel asked to be recognized as a Jew and Israeli citizen under the Law of Return. While Brother Daniel was still considered halachically Jewish, a majority of the Israeli Supreme Court did not vote in his favor. They ruled that, because of his conver- sion, he could not gain automatic Israeli citizen- ship as a Jew. ewish law would have no problem with your Uncle Moishey conducting your wedding. The stipula- tion — and you knew there would be one, didn't you? — is that he must be fully versed in certain laws. The Talmud requires that an "expert" in the laws of marriage, divorce and conversion preside at weddings, said Rabbi William Gershon of Shaarey Zedek. Generally, the rabbi is the one most knowledgeable in these matters, which is why he (and the photographer — but that's another story) is usually the one found under the chuppah with the bride and groom. Laws of marriage, divorce and conversion are extensive. If, for example, a woman did not receive a get under the proper cir- cumstances, her next mar- riage might not be con- sidered valid. Only those well-versed in Halachah are likely to know what to consider so that a marriage will be acceptable under Jewish law. Funerals are a different matter, Rabbi Gershon said. For these, Halachah requires only that a "knowledgeable" person preside. Women go to the mikvah because they are "dirty." D irt and the mikvah have about as much in common as Hafez el-Assad and Ariel Sharon. The Torah obligates wo- men to go to the mikvah a certain time after the com- pletion of their menstrual cycle. Before going to the mikvah, a woman is con- sidered niddah. The word describes her relationship with her husband. She is to be separated from him and have no sexual relations. The word has nothing to do with dirt, said Rabbi Elimelech Silberberg. Similarly, a woman is regarded as tamea while having her period. Rabbis stress the word has nothing to do with hygiene, but rather describes a different state of being. a . • Inedible products, such as aluminum foil and soap, do not need kosher certification. IT hey might not be the kind of thing you would want to serve guests — "How was your vacation in Los Angeles, Bob? And by the way, I'll have a little more of that foil with my steak," just doesn't sound right — but it isn't only edible items that require kosher certification, said Rabbi William Gershon. The problem is that items like foil and dishwashing liquid are used in close con- tact with food. And both products can have ques- tionable origins. "It sometimes happens that oil can be used on the rollers used to press out the foil," Rabbi Gershon said. "And oil can be from non- kosher sources." But don't worry. Not all inedible products require kosher certification. You don't need to look for a heksher on your umbrella or hair dryer. Unless you've got a very strange appetite. ❑ THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS 23