Why do most Christians not follow
Tanakh (Old Testament) dietary laws?
Of the "beasts of the earth" which basically refers to land mammals with the exception of swarming rodents, you may eat any animal that has cloven hooves and chews its cud. – Leviticus 11:3
Any land mammal that does not have both of these qualities is forbidden. The Torah specifies that the camel, the rock badger, the hare and the pig are not kosher because each lacks one of these two qualifications. Sheep, cattle, goats, deer and bison are kosher.
Of the things that are in the waters, you may eat anything that has fins and scales. – Leviticus 11:9
Thus, shellfish such as lobsters, oysters, shrimp, clams and crabs are all forbidden. Fish like tuna, carp, salmon and herring are all permitted.
For birds, the criteria is less clear. The Torah provides a list of forbidden birds (Lev. 11:13–19; Deut. 14:11–18), but does not specify why these particular birds are forbidden. All of the birds on the list are birds of prey or scavengers, thus the rabbis inferred that this was the basis for the distinction. Other birds are permitted, such as chicken, geese, ducks and turkeys.
Rodents, reptiles, and amphibians are all forbidden. (Lev. 11:29-30, 42-43). We may not eat animals that died of natural causes (Deut. 14:21) or that were killed by other animals. In addition, the animal must have no disease or flaws in the organs at the time of slaughter. These restrictions do not apply to fish; only to the flocks and herds (Num. 11:22). The Torah prohibits consumption of blood (Lev. 7:26-27; Lev. 17:10-14).
All fruits and vegetables are kosher. On three separate occasions, the Torah tells us not to "boil a kid in its mother's milk." (Ex. 23:19; Ex. 34:26; Deut. 14:21).
Here are some websites of major kosher certification organizations:
- The Orthodox Union, which is responsible for "OU" certification, has some excellent information on its website, including a kosher primer, an explanation of their kosher policy, a philosophical discussion about "thinking kosher" and a questions and answers section.
- The Star-K Kosher Certification organization also has an excellent website.
- KosherQuest has a searchable database of kosher products as well as an extensive list of reliable kosher symbols and other interesting things.
Do you follow the Dietary laws? Why or why not?
True 
Lifetime
Comments (176)
I don't because I'm a gentile.
No... because all food is clean if it is eaten with thanksgiving, according to the New Testament.
I don't because insects are an extremely healthy form of protein. Seriously. Try grasshopper spaghetti sometime, it's delish and very good for you.
If Christians don't follow the dietary laws, while at the same time saying that everything in the Bible is true and must be obeyed, they are hypocrites.
I do buy Hebrew National hot dogs, because I love their slogan. "We answer to a higher authority."
I believe that G-d gave us the food laws for our own good and our health and we should follow them.
Since Jesus died on the cross we are released from the OT laws. It is not a law for us to follow. Especially since someone else pointed out i am a gentile. I do believe it is a good health practice though.
I would guess because a good many christians are gentiles and don't bother much with the old testament -they don't believe it was written for them. However, I am with you-the animals that are 'unclean' are/were generally not good for you-high in fat, high in cholesterol and/are or were prone to carry diseases. As you said, it was probably for health reasons.
I take the Old Testament very seriously, and I do believe that it applies to our lives today; however, there are some things that applied only to Israel in the nation's role as a demonstration of the holiness of God and the need for a Savior, not to Gentiles. I don't follow the dietary laws for the same reason I don't make sacrifices and grain offerings - as Colossians 2 says "Therefore let no one pass judgement on you in questions of food and dirnk, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ."
If we had to follow every OT law men would never cut hair from the sides of their heads and women would have to practically sleep in the back yard during their periods.
When it comes down to it, when Jesus died on the cross his blood sacrifice released us from all other sacrifices and ritual cleansing. And, might I add this verse:Acts 10: 9-16
9About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray.
10He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance.
11He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners.
12It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air.
13Then a voice told him, "Get up, Peter. Kill and eat."
14"Surely not, Lord!" Peter replied. "I have never eaten anything impure or unclean."
15The voice spoke to him a second time, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean."
16This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.
@SirNickDon@xanga - lol!
I believe that we are not bound to the dietary laws of the OT. And I don't think we are hypocrites for not doing so as someone else said. But, I do think that the laws in the OT carry a lot of weight and show the wisdom of God in caring for the health of His people. Pigs are some of the dirtiest animals out there and they carry some pretty severe diseases if not prepared properly. I love pork though. I personally do not eat shellfish though...the exception being clam...which makes it hard to live in Japan where they looove shellfish...but I don't like the texture of the meat. I justify it further with knowing that the OT prohibits eating that. Maybe because they are scavengers too. Oh, and I've been served pig's blood in China that was coagulated. I will not eat it.
Shalom, friend. I think that as believers and followers of Yeshua Messiah, when we ask these kinds of questions we do not serve Him well, and we demonstrate a lack of knowledge and understanding of scripture.
Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge ye this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock in his brother's way, or an occasion of falling. I know, and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean of itself: save that to him who accounteth anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. For if because of meat thy brother is grieved, thou walkest no longer in love. Destroy not with thy meat him for whom Christ died. Let not then your good be evil spoken of: for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he that herein serveth Christ is well-pleasing to God, and approved of men. So then let us follow after things which make for peace, and things whereby we may edify one another. Overthrow not for meat's sake the work of God. All things indeed are clean; howbeit it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. It is good not to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor to do anything whereby thy brother stumbleth. The faith which thou hast, have thou to thyself before God. Happy is he that judgeth not himself in that which he approveth. But he that doubteth is condemned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith; and whatsoever is not of faith is sin. - Romans 14:13-23
We're kidding here, right?
@SirNickDon@xanga - LOL! You ROCK!
@SwordAndSacrifice@xanga - Yeah, that's what I was thinking. For some reason, I thought I was at a Christian website.
from a historical perspective, Christians only kept the Tanakh to provide them with some type of credibility. In the first century CE, a religion wasn't valid if it wasn't old. Christianity really doesn't need anything in the Tanakh at all. as Lewis Black once observed... every Sunday he sees a Christian reading from his book, and they're usually reading it incorrectly.
I don't follow kosher simply because it was explained to me during Church History that some things in the Bible were there to protect men. For example, most of the foods listed were perishable and would go bad if they weren't eaten right away.
@MysteriumFidei@xanga - Friend, please reconsider your statement - it is only the repetition of a cop out used by so-called believers who are too lazy to study scripture! It is foolish and deception!
Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness. That the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work. - 2 Timothy 3:16-17
It was only with Yeshua's help that OT scriptures could begin to be understood!
Then opened he their mind, that they might understand the scriptures; - Luke 24:45
When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he spake this; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said. - John 2:22
And it came to pass, when he had sat down with them to meat, he took the bread and blessed; and breaking it he gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. And they said one to another, Was not our hearts burning within us, while he spake to us in the way, while he opened to us the scriptures? - Luke 24:30-32
It is through both grace and OT scripture that Yeshua Messiah is revealed and understood and believed in!
And Philip ran to him, and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some one shall guide me? And he besought Philip to come up and sit with him. Now the passage of the Scripture which he was reading was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; And as a lamb before his shearer is dumb, So he openeth not his mouth: In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: His generation who shall declare? For his life is taken from the earth. And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other? And Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture, preached unto him Jesus. - Acts 8:30-35
Now these were more noble than those in Thesslonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of the mind, examining the Scriptures daily, whether these things were so. - Acts 17:11
And when he was minded to pass over into Achaia, the brethren encouraged him, and wrote to the disciples to receive him: and when he was come, he helped them much that had believed through grace; for he powerfully confuted the Jews, and that publicly, showing by the scriptures that Jesus was the Christ. - Acts 18:27-28
The first Christians relied wholly on OT scripture!
and Paul, as his custom was, went in unto them, and for three sabbath days reasoned with them from the Scriptures, - Acts 17:2
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that through patience and through comfort of the scriptures we might have hope. - Romans 15:4
Now to him that is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which hath been kept in silence through times eternal, but now is manifested, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, is made known unto all the nations unto obedience of faith: to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory for ever. Amen. - Romans 16:25-27
@too_pretty_to_die@xanga - Sorry friend, hit the wrong reply link the first time
@AOK4WAY@xanga -
"it is only the repetition of a cop out used
by so-called believers who are too lazy to study scripture! It is
foolish and deception!"
what one believes has nothing to do with the conclusion.
the Romans persecuted Christians because they did not consider the religion valid. why? it was brand new. the term they used to describe Christianity translates more directly to "superstition." the Romans recognized the ancient roots of Judaism, and so they granted the Jews freedom to not follow the state religion. the Christians, on the other hand, didn't have the legacy. to Rome, it was just another excuse to not do one's civic duty and honor the emperor.
Christianity as a movement never would have survived without linking itself to Judaism and the Tanakh.
"It was only with Yeshua's help that OT scriptures could begin to be understood!"
if that's the case, why didn't Jesus live up to any expectation of the Jewish messiah? the notion that salvation is purely spiritual is a Christian interpretation. Jesus failed to bring about an end to the Roman occupation... in Judaism, that was really the ONLY job description for a messiah.
"The first Christians relied wholly on OT scripture!"
of course they did. until about 150 CE, Christianity did not exist as an independent religion. what else were they supposed to use?
I follow the dietary commands from Adonai (not to be confused with the traditions of the elders), because I'm a sojourner with Israel!
It's what Jesus/Yeshua did... just following The Master.
@SwordAndSacrifice@xanga - @SwordAndSacrifice@xanga - I'm sure it isn't a joke. There's a very vocal pocket of the Xanga Christian community that is more or less subscribed to some sort of Messianic Judaism. I don't think they were ethnic Jews who converted, though I'm not certain.
@too_pretty_to_die@xanga - "The notion that salvation is purely spiritual" is a Christian teaching in places, but it's not scriptural. The Jewish Messiah was expected to end the exile, reform the remnant of Israel around himself, and form them into the true humanity, which was God's goal from the beginning. I don't know if you're much of a reader, but you're doing yourself a disservice if you don't read N. T. Wright's Christian origins series, especially Jesus and the Victory of God.
@too_pretty_to_die@xanga - You can argue against my opinion and quite possibly do it successfully, but you can't argue with scripture itself! I've gotten philosophy and historical conjecture from you, but you've conveniently ignored the scriptures I used to validate my points of argument while providing none of your own.
Your way too well "churched" and way too ignorant of scripture!
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I also will forget thy children. - Hosea 4:6
I'm not Christian, but... pork and shellfish are two of the most delicious things EVAR! I'd probably go crazy without being able to eat bacon, sausage, or a nice slab of ham for the holidays... And when I go to Red Lobster, I may not get crab or lobster, but that's only because I'm too cheap... But I love me some shrimp and clams!
And regarding health... You could eat at McDonalds every day and eat nothing but "kosher" food, but it still wouldn't be healthy. As always, leave it to the Bible to teach you to abstain from something altogether when it would be easier (and more beneficial) if you would just teach yourself self-control and moderation...
Of course not, because we (Christians) are no longer bound by the rules and laws of the old testament. When Jesus came to Earth and died for us he redeemed us. It's all in Galations---that book answers this question (and many others) very well.
Remember Peter's dream in Acts. Jesus kept showing him NOT KOSHER foods and saying, "Take and eat" Peter was worried because the food wasn't Kosher. Jesus stated what he had made wasn't impure. I forget the exact wording.
It was also a call for Peter to preach to the Gentiles.
The New Testament negates the original dietary laws.