Judaism
and Kashrut:
4. Although the animal may be permitted, some parts of these animals may not be eaten. 
The seven laws of Kashrut
2. The animals that can be eaten must be killed in agreement with Jewish law.  
7. Grape products may not be eaten if made by non-Jews.
1. Some animals are not to be eaten and that includes the flesh, organs, eggs, and milk of each of the forbidden animals.
3. Before meat is eaten, all blood has to be drained or broiled from it.
Meat (the flesh of birds and mammals) cannot be eaten with dairy. Fish, eggs, fruits, vegetables and grains can be eaten with either meat or dairy. (According to some views, fish may not be eaten with meat)
These dietary laws come from the book of Leviticus in the holy book, the Torah.
One aspect to discourage intermarriage
Not only do kosher rules give the Jewish people another place to show religious devotion, but there are a lot of other benefits to eating kosher.
Safeguards against disease transmission
Meat is "clean"
Lowers cholesterol and caloric intake
Digested separately, meat and dairy are absorbed more easily
Health
Morality
Teaches compassion for animals because kosher laws prohibit cruelty
National Reasons
Why do people follow the Kashrut laws?
Does being Kosher limit you as much as people think?
A lot of people think that it's almost impossible to eat kosher - they think that there are too many rules to follow
Kashrut laws make it hard for people who observe them to make friends who aren't following the same path.
Imagine dating a Kosher Jew.

Whenever you go ANYWHERE there are certain special requests that you have to make with your significant other - dinner at your mother's house could lead to a huge slap in the face as your boyfriend/girlfriend refuses the main course.
This is the exact reason that intermarriage between Jews and other religions used to be  so unheard of.
In 1970, only 28% of American Jews were intermarrying.
Today, more than half of American Jews are intermarrying.
Now intermarriage is more common because Jews are more likely to meet someone outside of their faith in America and because, as an American Jew, they are less educated about Judaism and Jewish heritage so they are less likely to live a kosher lifestyle.
In the past, intermarriage was extremely serious. The Jewish community disowned those who intermarried and it was common for parents to perform the sit shiva, a mourning ritual, if their children intermarried because a Jew would only intermarry if they had intentions to reject their religion and heritage to assimilate into Christian society.
Religion today is a "dealbreaker" for a lot of people.
What is "kashrut"?
5. Meat cannot be eaten with dairy. Fish, eggs, fruits, vegetables, and grains are not to be eaten with meat or dairy.
6. While food is hot, the contact rule applies. Utensils take on the status of the food they touch. This means that a non-kosher spoon cannot touch kosher food and a meat-fork cannot touch fruits or dairy.
Reminder of mission to repair the world
Symbol of the holy covenant
Reminder of gratitude for the Almighty for helping the Jewish people out of Egypt
The body of Jewish law dealing with which foods can and cannot be eaten and how those food must be prepared.
Comes from the Hebrew root "Kaf-Shin-Reish" which means "fit" or "proper"
The Torah commands Jews to keep kosher without specifying a reason. For Torah-observant Jews no other reason is needed.
Religious education after the age of 13 is uncommon and therefore it is uncommon for Jews to be aware of the advanced teachings of Judaism. If they aren't aware, then intermarriage is not a rejection of their religion.
People who are serious about marriage and how their children will be raised are less likely to marry someone whose religious preferences are not flexible.
JAYDE MCWILLIAMS