terefah
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Definition
Adjective: - Not conforming to dietary laws: Specifically, in Jewish dietary law (kashrut), "terefah" describes any food, especially meat, that is not ritually fit or permissible for consumption because it comes from an animal that is diseased, injured, or not slaughtered according to prescribed ritual practice. It is the opposite of "kosher."
Usage
The word "terefah" is a specialized religious and legal term. It is used almost exclusively in discussions of Jewish law and kosher food practices. - It functions as a descriptive adjective. - It is typically applied to food items, particularly meat.
Examples
- The rabbi inspected the meat and declared it terefah due to a discovered lung adhesion.
- According to kosher guidelines, an animal that dies of natural causes is automatically considered terefah.
- They had to discard the entire chicken because a check revealed it was terefah.
Advanced Usage
- The term originates from Hebrew (טְרֵפָה), meaning "torn" or "mauled," referring to an animal killed by a wild beast, which is biblically forbidden.
- In extended, informal use, it can sometimes metaphorically describe something as unacceptable or flawed, though this is not its primary meaning.
- The concept is central to the kosher certification process, where a (kosher supervisor) ensures products are not terefah.
Variants and Related Words
- Trefa (also treif, treyf): Alternative transliterations of the same Hebrew word into English. "Treif" is a very common variant in informal speech.
- Kosher (adj.): The direct antonym, meaning fit or permissible according to Jewish dietary law.
- Non-kosher (adj.): A more general, descriptive term for food not in accordance with kashrut.
Synonyms
- Non-kosher
- Unclean (in a specific religious context)
- Impermissible (in the context of kashrut)
Antonyms
- Kosher
- Fit (in the context of kashrut)
Related Phrases/Idioms
- To be terefah: A state of being ritually unfit.
- Terefah condition: A specific flaw or injury that renders an animal or its meat unfit.
Adjective
- not conforming to dietary laws