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Kosher Teaching
A d’rashah for parshat Sh’mini
Vayikra (Leviticus) 9:1–11:47
By Rabbi Reuel Dillon
In this lesson we will take a look at the subject of kosher eating with Vayikra (Leviticus)
11 in mind. Although, I will not focus on the subjects of what is kosher and what is not
kosher. For someone to even care about such things they must first believe that eating a
kosher diet is a valid expression of a Godly faith. But, in this teaching I will address
some of the common objections Christians have to eating a kosher diet. We will take a
look at some scripture passages that people often misunderstand - and even worse - twist
to support a lawless interpretation.
In parshat Sh’mini we read about the kosher laws. The word "kosher" is the Ashkenazi
pronunciation of the Hebrew word "kasher", which means “fit” or “proper”. It can also
be used as an expression of speech. If someone says, “That’s not kosher”, they are
essentially saying that something is not proper. It is a figure of speech that can be used
in a variety of situations, and just not isolated to just things that we eat. The actual word
that is used in Vayikra 11 (Lev.) to describe something that is “unclean” to eat is the
Hebrew word “tamei”. It can mean “unclean”, but it can also describe something that is
“impure”, or “foul”, either in a ceremonial or moral sense.
Unclean
When Adonai created animals He created them with the intention that some of them
would be “tahor” (clean) and some of them would be “tamei” (unclean). He created
them with very specific purposes. For example, the animals and creatures that are
considered to be “tamei” (unclean) tend to be the scavengers, the scum suckers, and the
cleaners of the environment. For example, if you put cat-fish in a dirty pond - in time
they will clean the pond. It is the same with clams and other types of shellfish. If you
put them in dirty toxin filled water they will eventually remove the toxins and purify the
water as they absorb everything into their flesh. In many cases unclean animals tend to
feed on things that are not healthy for us. They are animals that often eat dead and
decaying flesh, and carry all kinds of disease and toxins. Unclean animals are also
generally more vulnerable to parasites and diseases that can be passed on to humans.
Judaism has avoided many of these things over the centuries just through observing
God’s wisdom found in His instruction (Torah). The scriptural fact is that Adonai didn’t
create unclean animals to be our food. He specifically tells us what animals are fit to eat
(what should be considered as food), and what animals were not created to be eaten (that
which should not be considered food). Therefore, why would you want to eat
something that God specifically created to be unclean and for unclean purposes?
A Scriptural Motivation
Some think that because we are now more technologically advanced we don’t have to
worry about God’s instructions in this area any longer. Some say that because we have
better fridgeration and because we have more knowledge on how to better cook and
prepare unclean meat today we can now eat these things. But, have we really become so
incredibly smart that we don’t have to follow God’s instructions any longer? God
forbid! No, this would be a worldly view. Even though it certainly is healthier to eat a
kosher diet, this is not the reason that God gives us for eating such a diet. Instead of
giving physical reasons tied to our health, Adonai gives us a spiritual reason. And, it
doesn’t matter how smart we think we are, a spiritual reason is eternal and does not pass
away with increased knowledge and technology. In Vayikra (Leviticus) 11:44-45 God
says, “For I am HaShem your God. Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be holy; for I am
holy: neither shall you defile yourselves with any kind of creeping thing that moves on
the Earth. For I am HaShem who brought you up out of the land of Mitzrayim (Egypt),
to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy”.
Adonai asks us to eat a kosher diet for two reasons. The first reason is He wants us to
be holy as He is holy. Does He tie kosher eating to the culture of Yisra'el or to being
Jewish? No. He ties eating a kosher diet to His own character and holiness, something
that is infinitely spiritual. I have seen Christian Pastors and teachers use this passage that
says, “be holy; for I am holy” often in their teachings, but unless they are Torah
pursuant, I have never seen them use it within the context for which it was intended…to
encourage kosher eating. The second reason Adonai gives for eating a kosher diet is that
He reminds us that He saved us. He says, “For I am HaShem who brought you up out
of the land of Mitzrayim (Egypt)…”. Therefore, we don’t keep these commands to be
saved, but because we are grateful that He has already saved us. Adonai Himself gives us
two proper Biblical motivations for wanting to follow any one of His
commandments…because of holiness and because we are grateful that He has saved and
redeemed us. And, this gratefulness and holiness should manifest itself with a very
special fruit…love for God and love for mankind, as expressed by observing the mitzvot
that Adonai has given in relation to both.
Kosher Observance From Earliest Times
In past lessons we have addressed the fact that Adonai’s Torah is eternal and fixed in the
Heavens (T'hillim/Psalms 119:89). Therefore, His Torah most certainly predates Mt.
Sinai. Adonai shared much of it with His holy people throughout history and from the
earliest times. One example we have of this is before The Flood with Noach (Noah). In
Bereishit (Genesis) 7:1-2 we read, “HaShem said to Noach, "Come with all of your
household into the teivah (ark), for I have seen your righteousness before me in this
generation. You shall take seven pairs of every clean animal with you, the male and his
female. Of the animals that are not clean, take two, the male and his female”.
This begs the question…How did Noach (Noah) know which animals were clean and
which animals were unclean? How would he know? Adonai speaks to him like he
should already know the difference. And, why does Adonai tell Noach to take over three
times the amount of clean animals into the ark as compared to unclean animals? Could it
be because the clean animals were intended to be eaten and the unclean animals were not
to be eaten? Even though I believe this was most likely the case, the fact that there was
knowledge that some animals were clean and some unclean before the flood is made
evident. Therefore, if you were one of God’s people and He communicated to you that
certain animals were clean and some were unclean, which ones would you eat? Would
you ignore God’s wisdom in these matters? Or, would you choose to only eat what He
calls “clean”? To any rational thinking person it would seem that the answer should be
obvious. Someone shouldn’t want to eat food that God’s Himself describes as
“unclean”. And, if it makes sense to you to eat only what God calls “clean”, then how is
that wisdom being played out in your life today?
What’s Seems To Be The problem?
When it comes to honoring Adonai’s simple instructions in this area there seems to be
much resistance from many whom claim to be His followers and servants, and especially
from those whom call themselves “Christians”. I have had several discussions with
Christians on this subject and one of the responses I often receive as to why they don’t
eat a kosher diet is, “I am not Jewish, I am Christian”. But, in return I ask them several
questions such as, “What about Noach (Noah), was he Jewish?”. As pointed out before,
he observed the difference between clean and unclean meats. I will also ask, “Does
being a Christian make unclean meat any less “unclean” in God’s eyes?”. I will also ask,
“What about Christianity’s primary role models?”. Yeshua and His disciples ate kosher
diets and observed the precepts as found in our parashah (Vayikra/Leviticus 11). As I
have mentioned in previous lessons, if we are disciples of the Master Yeshua, why
wouldn’t we live our spiritual lives just like our Master did? Also, in response to a
Christian saying that he or she is not Jewish I would ask, “Do Christians have a Rabbi?”.
As they recognize that Yeshua (Jesus) is their Rabbi, and the scriptures repeatedly
describe him as such, and that He is Jewish, I would ask, “Should a Christian follow their
Rabbi’s example?”. I will also ask, “Why would being a “Christian” get in the way of
following Yeshua’s (Jesus’) example? Doesn’t that seem odd?”. What seems to be the
problem for so many that claim to be disciples of Yeshua (Jesus) when it comes to eating
a kosher diet according to God’s simple instructions? Is being “Christian” really the
problem? Or, is bad doctrine the problem?
The Culprit: Bad Doctrine
If you answered “bad doctrine” for the last question - you would be correct. This is also
one of the most common responses as to why a "believer" doesn't eat a kosher diet.
They respond with faulty doctrine and scholarship. There should be no reason why a
disciple should not live life like their Rabbi - unless - somewhere in between - their
Master’s teachings were corrupted and/or confused. I propose that this is exactly what
has happened to much of Christianity. There has been a great deception and a falling
away from Yeshua’s teaching and example that has taken place over many centuries. It is
not that Yeshua’s disciples didn’t warn us of this. They saw it coming even in their day,
for Y'hudah (Jude) 1:3-4 warns us about the spiritual perverts whom would imbed
themselves into the congregation of Messiah to pervert His message and teaching.
It states, “Dear friends, I was busily at work writing to you about the salvation we share,
when I found it necessary to write, urging you to keep contending earnestly for the faith
which was once and for all passed on to God's people. For certain individuals, the ones
written about long ago as being meant for this condemnation, have wormed their way in
— ungodly people who pervert God's grace into a license for debauchery and disown
our only Master and Lord, Yeshua the Messiah.”. The subject of kosher eating is just
one example where this is true. But, just as it has been throughout time, God has
preserved for Himself a faithful remnant. Some will ask, if all of this is true...then why
don't more Christians eat a kosher diet today? Sadly, throughout history the majority
have not followed God…it has consistently been a minority. This is why in Mattityahu
(Matthew) 7:13-14 Yeshua says, "Enter in by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and
broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter in by it. How
narrow is the gate, and restricted is the way that leads to life! Few are those who find it.”.
The Battle Ground
When it comes to the subject of a kosher eating, there are six main passages in the
scriptures that many in Christianity today are twisting to create faulty doctrine. In the
next part of this lesson we will review the scripture passages in question and will expose
the false doctrines that are being attributed to these passages.
#1 - Mark 7:1-23
In this passage of scripture some say that Yeshua reversed His Father’s instruction
regarding clean and unclean meats and thus declared the kosher laws invalid. The
particular passage that is misunderstood and taken completely out of context is found in
Mark 7:18-19. A few versions of the Bible translate this passage something like the
following, “He said to them, "Are you thus without understanding also? Don't you
perceive that whatever goes into the man from outside can't defile him, because it
doesn't go into his heart, but into his stomach, then into the latrine, thus making all
foods clean?". Although, other versions of verse 19 insert the following statement,
“Thus, He declared all foods clean”. The problem with this is that it is not actually in the
original text. It was inserted as a side note.
Regardless, there is a specific context that has to be considered when we interpret what is
being taught in this passage by our Rabbi Yeshua. Before getting into the immediate
context of the passage, there is a broader context to consider. First, Yeshua states very
clearly how he views the Torah and the instructions therein. In Mattityahu (Matthew)
5:16-19 and in Luke 16:17 he teaches us that not even the smallest part of the Torah
would be made invalid and that those whom taught so would be least in God’s
Kingdom. By this one thing we could conclude that Yeshua is not overturning his
Father’s kosher laws. Another point to consider is that in the Judaism of his time (even
until today) meat that was not kosher (Biblically clean) wasn’t even considered to be
“food”. Therefore, when the text in question speaks of “food” it most certainly is not
speaking of unclean animals.
And, if there was any other doubt, the immediate context of our passage in the book of
Mark should eradicate the false doctrine that teaches Messiah overturned His Father’s
kosher laws. As we open up to Mark 7:1-5 we read the immediate context which we
must consider in our interpretation. It states, “Then the Perushim (Pharisees), and some
of the scribes gathered together to him, having come from Yerushalayim. Now when
they saw some of his disciples eating bread with defiled, that is, unwashed, hands, they
found fault. (For the Perushim, and all the Judeans, don't eat unless they wash their
hands and forearms, holding to the tradition of the elders. They don't eat when they
come from the marketplace, unless they bathe themselves, and there are many other
things, which they have received to hold to: washings of cups, pitchers, bronze vessels,
and couches). The Perushim and the scribes asked him, "Why don't your disciples walk
according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with unwashed hands?"”.
As we consider how this account begins, should we conclude that the subject matter is
dealing with a tradition prohibiting the eating of foods touched with unwashed hands
and using eating utensils that have not been ritually cleansed according to Jewish
law/tradition? Or, should we conclude that the subject matter is the eating of unclean
animals? It seems obvious, but a large majority of Christianity has blindly interpreted
this passage to be speaking about eating unclean animals. But, the text makes it clear that
the passage is addressing the subject of tradition and otherwise kosher food coming in
contact with unwashed hands and unwashed eating utensils. It has absolutely nothing to
do with eating unclean animals. But, that is the problem, when someone is blinded by a
lawless heart, and God’s Law (Torah) has not actually been written on their heart - their
spiritual eyes are veiled when it comes to reading much of the scriptures.
Furthermore, if much of Christianity has misinterpreted such an obvious scripture
passage, what else have they misinterpreted in the New Covenant writings when it comes
to Adonai’s Torah…especially when it comes to passages that are more difficult to
interpret? In my estimation, these types of interpretations and doctrines are the result of
removing learned Jewish and Torah observant people from the “church” and from its
leadership for hundreds and hundreds of years. They did not heed the word of Messiah
that states those whom teach against keeping the Torah will be least in the Kingdom of
Heaven. Therefore, much of what is called “the Church” has established the least in the
body of Messiah to interpret scripture and teach doctrine to its people. Thus, this is why
things are so messed up today! But, thank God things are beginning to change.
Far from Messiah overturning Vayikra (Leviticus) chapter 11, he rebukes the P'rushim
(Pharisees) for making their tradition more important than the word of God and His
commandments. Within the same passage in Mark chapter 7 Yeshua goes onto state in
verses 6-9, "…Well did Yesha'yahu (Isaiah) prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written,
'This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. But in vain do they
worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' "For you set aside the
commandment of God, and hold tightly to the tradition of men--the washing of pitchers
and cups, and you do many other such things." He said to them, "Full well do you reject
the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition”. This same rebuke of
Messiah should also be applied to anyone in Christianity that would presume to reject
any of God’s commandments, including the kosher laws, in favor of the traditions of the
anti-Torah “church fathers”.
#2 - Ma'asim/Acts 10:9-46
In this passage of scripture much of Christianity would have us believe that God Himself
declares that He is annulling His instructions found in Vayikra (Lev.) 11 by commanding
Kefa (Peter) to eat unclean food. They also say that this is in accordance with their
interpretation of Mark 7:1-23 (which we already exposed to be a false interpretation).
But, is this the intended message of Ma'asim (Acts) 10 and Kefa’s (Peter’s) vision? If we
read the whole passage within its immediate context the interpretation is made clear for
us by Kefa (Peter) himself. In Ma'asim (Acts) 10:10-17 we read, “He began to feel
hungry and wanted something to eat; but while they were preparing the meal, he fell into
a trance in which he saw heaven opened, and something that looked like a large sheet
being lowered to the ground by its four corners. In it were all kinds of four-footed
animals, crawling creatures and wild birds. Then a voice came to him, "Get up, Kefa,
slaughter and eat!" But Kefa said, "No, sir! Absolutely not! I have never eaten food that
was unclean or treif (common)." The voice spoke to him a second time: "Stop treating
as unclean what God has made clean." This happened three times, and then the sheet
was immediately taken back up into heaven. Kefa was still puzzling over the meaning of
the vision he had seen…”.
If anti-Torah Christianity is right in their assumptions about this passage of scripture
than why does the text say that Kefa (Peter) was confused about the meaning of the
vision? And, why did he strongly refuse to eat the unclean things that he saw in the
vision? Furthermore, why didn’t Kefa end up doing what they think God is literally
telling him to do? If Messiah Yeshua had explicitly taught his disciples that it was now
acceptable to eat unclean foods, as much of Churchianity teaches, than what was the
problem? Of course, as already discussed, Messiah never taught his disciples to do any
such thing. When we get down to the bottom of the matter we find that the unclean and
common animals that were shown to Kefa, and of which he was told to partake of, was
shown to him for the purpose of teaching Kefa that the Gentiles coming to the God of
Yisra'el were not to be considered unclean or common. This was the meaning of
Adonai’s statement when he said, “Stop treating as unclean what God has made clean”.
How do we know these things for sure? As I mentioned before, if we continue to read,
Kefa tells us himself what God revealed to him. As we read Ma'asim 10:28 we read,
“He said to them, "You are well aware that for a man who is a Jew to have close
association with someone who belongs to another people, or to come and visit him, is
something that just isn't done. But God has shown me not to call any person common
or unclean”. And, in Acts 10:34-35 Kefa confirms his interpretation. It states, “Then
Kefa addressed them: "I now understand that God does not play favorites, but that
whoever fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him, no matter what people he
belongs to.”. Christianity should note how Kefa does not say, “I know understand that
God has annulled His kosher laws”. THIS WAS NOT THE PURPOSE OF THE
VISION. Again, you think that these things would be obvious if someone was handling
the scriptures responsibly and not in an unlawful manner. But, the false doctrine that
states these passages tell us that God has abrogated His kosher laws is the wisdom that
much of Christianity has to share with us.
#3 - 1 Corinthians 10:18-29
The part of this passage that many take out of context and build a false doctrine upon is
1Corinthians 10:27. The Emissary Sha’ul (Paul) states, “If some unbeliever invites you to
a meal, and you want to go, eat whatever is put in front of you without raising questions
of conscience.”. Thus, anti-kosher Christianity teaches us that this passage tells us that
we can eat unclean animals, especially if we are going over to someone’s house that
doesn’t observe kosher. Sadly, I have even seen several Messianic believers fall for the
error of this doctrine. But, once again, when we consider the immediate and
surrounding context of the passage it’s interpretation is made evident. 1Corinthians
10:19-21 states, “So, what am I saying? That food sacrificed to idols has any significance
in itself? or that an idol has significance in itself? No, what I am saying is that the things
which pagans sacrifice, they sacrifice not to God but to demons; and I don't want you to
become sharers of the demons! You can't drink both a cup of the Lord and a cup of
demons, you can't partake in both a meal of the Lord and a meal of demons.”.
This is how Sha’ul (Paul) begins the discussion. The subject is food sacrificed to idols,
not whether or not believers can eat unclean animals. But, I have been quoted
1Corinthians chapter 10 over and over again by people whom try to justify themselves in
their breaking of Adonai’s kosher laws as found in Vayikra (Lev.) 11. They read verse
27, which says, “If some unbeliever invites you to a meal, and you want to go, eat
whatever is put in front of you without raising questions of conscience.”. But, they fail
to also consider the context that comes directly in the very next verse (28), which states,
“But if someone says to you, "This meat was offered as a sacrifice," then don't eat it, out
of consideration for the person who pointed it out and also for conscience's sake”.
Again, the passage has absolutely nothing to do with eating unkosher animals, but has
everything to do with eating animals that were sacrificed unto an idol.
#4 - Romans 14
In this chapter of the book of Romans much of Christianity uses two particular passages
to try to convince us that we can now eat unclean animals and that God’s instruction in
this area has been annulled. The first is found in Romans 14:14-15 which states, “I know
- that is, I have been persuaded by the Lord Yeshua the Messiah - that nothing is unclean
in itself. But if a person considers something unclean, then for him it is unclean; and if
your brother is being upset by the food you eat, your life is no longer one of love. Do
not, by your eating habits, destroy someone for whom the Messiah died!”.
This passage speaks of discord that occurred at the fellowship table where Jewish and
Gentile believers came together to eat. The concern of the Jewish people was over
issues of ritual cleanliness and traditional rabbinical standards for kosher. But, the
passage is not addressing the subject of animals that God had called unclean to eat.
Also, as was made evident in Ma'asim (Acts) 10:9-46, Romans 14 is most likely dealing
with foods that a Jewish person may question because he or she may suspect that it
could have been offered to an idol. Ma'asim chapter 15:20 makes it clear that there was
great concern over these issues.
How does the beginning of this chapter start? Romans 14:1 states, “Now as for a person
whose trust is weak, welcome him - but not to get into arguments over opinions.”. The
first thing we should conclude is – what the words of God say to His people are by no
means “opinions”. Scripture is the authoritative word of The King of The Universe. So,
“opinions” is the opening subject matter. It then follows that what Vayikra (Lev.) 11
calls unclean animals is not in question here. Romans 14:1 gives us an idea of what is
actually being discussed because through deductive reasoning we can determine what is
not being discussed. But, the traditions of men could be considered “opinions”.
A lot of the Jewish people that decided to share table fellowship with Gentiles didn’t
trust their meat because they weren’t sure that the meat, coming from the pagan Gentile
community, wasn’t somehow contaminated by idols. Therefore, many of the Jewish
people would decide to only eat vegetables when they came together for table fellowship
with their Gentile brothers and sisters. Romans 14:2 states, “One person has the trust
that will allow him to eat anything, while another whose trust is weak eats only
vegetables.”. Sha’ul warns the Roman believers not to allow God’s work in bringing
Jews and Gentile together to be destroyed. Romans 14:20-21 states, “Don't tear down
God's work for the sake of food. True enough, all things are clean; but it is wrong for
anybody by his eating to cause someone to fall away. What is good is not to eat meat or
drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble.”. The purpose of this
passage is not to declare Vayikra (Lev.) 11 unclean meat to be clean, or that these things
are now acceptable to eat…the purpose was to encourage all believers in Messiah to be
sensitive to each other and to pursue shalom at the fellowship table. The actual point
being made is that if there is something that offends your brother or sister at the table
which you gather around to eat…don’t place something on the table that will cause your
brother to stumble. But again, unclean animals are not even within the scope of Shaul’s
discussion.
#5 - Colossians 2:16
“So don't let anyone pass judgment on you in connection with eating and drinking…”
Some assume the believers that Sha’ul (Paul) was speaking to were eating pork and other
meats previously considered unclean. But, the scriptures nowhere support this
assumption. In reality, the issue of clean and unclean meats is nowhere brought up in this
passage. Sha’ul doesn’t discuss which foods the Colossians were consuming. The Greek
word “brosis”, translated in some versions as “food,” refers not to food itself but rather
to “the act of eating”. Colossians 2:8 makes it clear that Sha’ul’s warning was aimed
towards some of the harmful traditions of man. But, Sha’ul was not warning the
Colossians because they were seeking to be more obedient to the Biblical instructions of
God. Most likely he was warning the Colossians about some type of tradition, possibly
gnostic or rabbinic in origin, which in some cases contradicted the word of God and
served as a middle wall of partition getting in the way of table fellowship. Colossians 2:8
states, “Watch out, so that no one will take you captive by means of philosophy and
empty deceit, following human tradition which accords with the elemental spirits of the
world but does not accord with the Messiah.”.
Gnostic asceticism was the avoidance of anything enjoyable or denying one's self that
which was otherwise permissible. This was done with the intent to make its followers
more spiritual. In an article by Tim Gallant on the subject of Gnosticism he states,
“Ascetic Gnosticism runs with the matter-is-evil philosophy by seeking to transcend the
bodily (material realm) as far as possible. This means disengagement from anything
"earthly". This could be taken to tremendous extremes, where not only pleasurable
things were proscribed (denounced) - such as excellent food and wine, marital sex, and
so on - but also basic necessities. Gnosticism of this type was usually marked by
excessive fasting, and even attempts to go as long as possible without using the toilet.”.
These types of gnostic doctrines where found amongst various religious groups of the
1st century including the Essenes, and other Jewish groups, as reflected by some strict
Orthodox Rabbinic practices to this day.
Notice Shaul’s instructions to the Colossians in 2:20-23, “If, along with the Messiah, you
died to the elemental spirits of the world, then why, as if you still belonged to the world,
are you letting yourselves be bothered by its rules? -"Don't touch this!" "Don't eat that!"
"Don't handle the other!" Such prohibitions are concerned with things meant to perish
by being used [not by being avoided!], and they are based on man-made rules and
teachings. They do indeed have the outward appearance of wisdom, with their selfimposed religious observances, false humility and asceticism; but they have no value at all
in restraining people from indulging their old nature”.
Again, it is worthy to dually note that Sha’ul describes the things that he is warning the
Colossians about as, “man-made rules and teachings” and "self-imposed religious
observances". Thus, unless someone thinks that they can consider the kosher laws as
found in Vayikra (Lev.) 11 to be “man-made rules and teachings” ect...then we can only
conclude that the subject of Colossians 2:16 most certainly is not speaking of God’s
instructions regarding clean and unclean animals.
#6 - 1Timothy 4:1-4
We can also take much of our understanding of our previous passage in Colossians to
help us understand what is going in 1Timothy 4:1-4. It says, “The Spirit expressly states
that in the end of days some people will apostatize from the faith by paying attention to
deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come from the hypocrisy
of liars whose own consciences have been burned, as if with a red-hot branding iron.
They forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods which God created to be eaten
with thanksgiving by those who have come to trust and to know the truth. For
everything created [of] God [is] good, and nothing received with thanksgiving needs to
be rejected, because the word of God and prayer make it holy”.
Once again, Sha’ul was battling the ascetic Gnostic doctrines that were being taught.
But, the part of this passage that anti-kosher Christianity would have us believe is
teaching the kosher laws have been done away with is where it says, “For everything
created by God is good, and nothing received with thanksgiving needs to be rejected…”.
Seems simple enough. We are told that everything God created is good and nothing
should be rejected. So this must mean that God overturned His kosher laws…right?
Does that mean we can also eat humans? How about things that are poisonous? How
about harmful drugs? Some may say that I am being absolutely ridiculous, and of course
the passage is not saying we can do these things. But, if someone thinks that I am being
ridiculous, that also means that deep down they recognize that when the passage says,
“For everything created [of] God [is] good, and nothing received with thanksgiving
needs to be rejected” does not literally mean that “everything” is to be accepted as food.
In other words, the word “everything” has a specific context that must be considered to
properly interpret the passage.
So, let’s take a closer look. The text says, “They…require abstinence from foods which
God created to be eaten…”. This begs the question, which things did God create to be
eaten? Conversely, this tells us that if there were some animals created to be eaten, then
there were some animals created not for the purpose of eating. The passage also says,
“by those whom have come to trust and know the truth”. T'hillim (Psalms) 119:142
defines “truth” as the following, “Your righteousness is eternal righteousness, and your
Torah is truth”. Therefore, if someone knew the “truth” they would know which
animals were created to be eaten, as God states in Vayikra (Lev.) 11. Notice how the
next part of the passage says, “For everything created [of] God [is] good”. The "is" and
“of” does not appear in the Greek. The passage is actually referring to all good creatures
made by God within the scope of those things he considers good to eat. Again, in verse
3 it says, "which God created to be eaten". Therefore, all that Adonai created to be eaten
are good and we are free to eat of those. Therefore, within the context of what was
created to be eaten, the passage could be translated, “For everything God created good”.
And, if we continue to read the passage it goes on to state, “and nothing received with
thanksgiving needs to be rejected, because the word of God and prayer make it holy.”.
And, if there was any doubt as to the previous interpretation…where in the word of
God is food set-apart or made holy? Is it not in Vayikra (Lev.) 11 were God tells us
what animals can be eaten? For God says in verses 44-45, “…I am HaShem your God.
Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be holy; for I am holy: neither shall you defile
yourselves with any kind of creeping thing that moves on the Earth. For I am HaShem
who brought you up out of the land of Mitzrayim (Egypt), to be your God. You shall
therefore be holy, for I am holy.”.
Now that my friends – is kosher teaching.
Shabbat shalom!
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