Eating at God's Table: How Foodways Create and Sustain Orthodox Jewish Communities

Contemporary American Orthodox Jews use food to create boundaries, distinguish and divide groups from each other and non-Orthodox communities, symbolize beliefs, sustain and grow communities, and represent commitment to God. Jody Myers' book "Eating at God's Table" explores the food-centeredness of Orthodox Jewish religious practice and the evolutionary development of kosher laws. It illustrates how many Orthodox residents integrate their religious beliefs and practices around food into their daily activities, creating smaller, intimate communities and fashioning personal identities within the larger group.

Format: Hardback
Length: 386 pages
Publication date: 28 November 2023
Publisher: Wayne State University Press

Eating at God's Table: Food, Boundaries, and Identity in an Orthodox Jewish Community

In the Orthodox Jewish community, food plays a central role in shaping boundaries, distinguishing groups from each other, and creating divisions within and outside the community. This essay explores the multifaceted ways in which food symbolizes beliefs, sustains communities, and represents commitment to God.

The food-centeredness of Orthodox Jewish religious practice is evident in the intricate kosher laws that govern the consumption of food. These laws, which have evolved over centuries, dictate the specific types of foods that Jews are allowed to eat, as well as the methods of preparation and consumption. The kosher diet, for example, is designed to promote health and purity, and it emphasizes the importance of avoiding certain foods that are considered impure or forbidden.

However, the kosher diet is not just about food; it is also deeply intertwined with religious beliefs and practices. For Orthodox Jews, eating kosher food is a way to express their commitment to God and to maintain a separation from the secular world. The kosher laws require meticulous attention to detail, and they serve as a reminder of the Jewish people's unique identity and history.

In the Orthodox enclave in the west Los Angeles Pico-Robertson neighborhood, foodways are used to construct smaller, intimate communities within the larger group. Different sub-affiliations within the community have their own unique culinary traditions and customs, which reflect their distinct beliefs and practices. For example, some sub-affiliations may emphasize the use of specific ingredients or cooking methods, while others may focus on specific religious holidays or festivals.

Individuals also use food to fashion personal identities within the larger group. Food choices, such as the types of foods consumed and the way they are prepared, can be used to express cultural and religious identities, as well as personal preferences and values. For example, some individuals may choose to eat only kosher food, while others may incorporate non-kosher foods into their diet, depending on their personal beliefs and circumstances.

The meanings associated with kosher Orthodox foodways are complex and multifaceted. They reflect the religious beliefs and practices of the Jewish people, as well as the historical and cultural context in which they have developed. Food can symbolize purity, tradition, and community, as well as the challenges and struggles of maintaining a religious identity in a secular world.

In conclusion, food plays a vital role in shaping boundaries, distinguishing groups, and creating divisions within and outside the Orthodox Jewish community. It symbolizes beliefs, sustains communities, and represents commitment to God. Through the exploration of kosher Orthodox foodways and their meanings, we can gain insight into the religious diversity in American communities and the complex ways in which food can shape our identities and relationships.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780814349557