hechsher

or hekh·sher

[ Sephardic Hebrew hekh-sher; Ashkenazic Hebrew hekh-shuhr; English hek-sher ]

noun

, Hebrew.

, plural hech·she·rim [he, kh, -she-, reem, he, kh, -, shey, -, r, im], English hech·shers.

1. rabbinical approval of meats and other foods that comply with the ritual requirements of Jewish dietary laws, usually issued in the form of an endorsing mark or stamp on the products so approved.

Word History and Origins

Origin of hechsher¹

Hebrew hekhshēr

Example Sentences

Observant Jews are assured a food is kosher by a seal — known in Hebrew as a hechsher — on the label.

From New York Times

To cover the expense of a recognized hechsher, or kosher certificate, products cost an average of 15 percent more than noncertified drinks, said Rabbi Eliahu Schlesinger, the former director of kashrut for the Jerusalem rabbinate.

From New York Times

“Produced in Ireland, with a hechsher from Badatz Basel and Badatz Beit Yosef,” that emailed news alert said.

From New York Times

At Bell Wood Bar, finding a bottle of Glenfiddich Scotch stamped by a recognized London authority, Rabbi Semelman exclaimed, “A hechsher! Amazing!”

From New York Times