# How does one know if it is really Kosher?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-know-if-it-is-really-kosher/638977>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [October 26, 2012, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-know-if-it-is-really-kosher/638977 "2012-10-26T22:14:18Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\
**Post date:** [October 28, 2012, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-know-if-it-is-really-kosher/638977/21 "2012-10-28T19:57:26Z")

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> [@aldiboronti](#):
>
> What happens if a devout Jew discovers that he has been eating non-kosher stuff? Does he have to perform some sort of ritual-cleansing? Or is he given a pass because the act was inadvertent?

If you find out, you’re supposed to feel guilty\* and be more careful the next time.

You can also eat non-kosher food if there’s truly no other choice – say, you’re marooned on a desert island with nothing but cans of spam. You aren’t to make yourself sick.  
\*Seriously.

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**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\
**Post date:** [October 28, 2012, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-know-if-it-is-really-kosher/638977/22 "2012-10-28T22:22:38Z")

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> [@aldiboronti](#):
>
> What happens if a devout Jew discovers that he has been eating non-kosher stuff? Does he have to perform some sort of ritual-cleansing? Or is he given a pass because the act was inadvertent?

It’s not considered a sin because it was inadvertent. However, IIRC some ritual impurity does accrue. But, everybody who has ever been to a graveyard is ritually impure too. We all need to be sprinkled with the ashes of a perfect red heifer. Such an animal no longer exists.

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**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\
**Post date:** [October 28, 2012, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-know-if-it-is-really-kosher/638977/23 "2012-10-28T22:43:50Z")

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And, for that matter, the temple where that heifer is supposed to be sacrificed doesn’t exist any more, either. Which is just as well, since the biggest consequence of uncleansed ritual impurity is that you’re not allowed to do a bunch of temple activities.

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**Author:** ![Shmendrik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Shmendrik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shmendrik)\
**Post date:** [October 28, 2012, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-know-if-it-is-really-kosher/638977/24 "2012-10-28T23:00:21Z")

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> [@Chronos](#):
>
> And, for that matter, the temple where that heifer is supposed to be sacrificed doesn’t exist any more, either. Which is just as well, since the biggest consequence of uncleansed ritual impurity is that you’re not allowed to do a bunch of temple activities.

And one of those temple activities is bringing a sin offering when you inadvertently violate certain commandments, including some of the rules of kashrut.

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