The portion of the episode where characters quote the Bible in support or opposition of clowning were carefully researched. Cited passages from the Bible include Exodus 20:12 and Joshua 1:8. The quotations from the Talmud were also researched, and two rabbis, Lavi Meier and Harold M. Schulweis, were credited as "special technical consultants". Schulweis was asked to take a look at a draft of the script. While not a fan of the show, he felt "it was profound" and added some corrections. He later commented, "I thought it had a Jewish resonance to it. I was impressed by the underlying moral seriousness."
Jackie Mason recorded his lines in New York City, and Dan Castellaneta, voice of Krusty, went there to record with him.
When Rabbi Krustofski sees Krusty has become a clown against his wishes he says in Yiddish "oy, vei is mir"; this translates as "oh, woe is me".
Near the beginning, when Krusty retires to his dressing room, the DVD commentary points out that his face on the door, combined with a triangle background, forms a Star of David, foreshadowing the episode's Jewish theme.
The "Krusty the Clown" sandwich at Izzy's Deli is ironically full of non-kosher foods (ham, sausage, bacon). Krusty's love of pork products would be further developed later in the series. The sandwich also includes mayo, which, in Jewish culture, is often mocked as something only gentiles ask for on their sandwiches.