The ancient Jewish dietary laws of kashrut face unprecedented challenges in modern America, where social integration and traditional observance often appear mutually exclusive. From its biblical origins as a framework for ritual holiness to its expanded role during the Second Temple period as a mechanism for preventing intermarriage, kashrut has served multiple evolving purposes in Jewish life. Through analysis of biblical, midrashic, and rabbinic sources, particularly Maimonides' *Mishneh Torah*, a clear pattern emerges: kashrut transcended its initial ceremonial-spiritual purpose to become a protective cultural barrier. This transformation provides critical context for understanding contemporary tensions between religious tradition and social assimilation. While Reform Judaism and secular Zionism have responded through varying degrees of tradition modification or abandonment, a Conservative Jewish approach offers a middle path - preserving kashrut's essential role as a vehicle for holiness while acknowledging necessary practical compromises. The compartmentalized nature of modern life demands flexible standards that can maintain religious significance across different social contexts without completely abandoning traditional framework.