In Leviticus Chapter 11, we are given an extensive list of “clean” and “unclean” foods. Hashem gave these Laws for everyone to follow. Of course, Yeshua and his talmidim adhered to these instructions. As you study them, remember this: Hashem gave them to us for specific reasons. Not to deprive us of the enjoyment of bacon and eggs, or an Easter ham. First of all, I believe He gave them to us for health reasons. Think of it. Pigs eat garbage. If you are eating pork, you are eating garbage, including worms. “Bottom feeders” (like lobsters and fish) at the base of the ocean floor are eating scum and other debris. If you eat them, you eat the unhealthy ocean refuse. Think about what vultures eat: road kill. So, of course, Hashem would not want you to eat that. Secondly, the reason to follow dietary laws is simply this: to obey God. And in obeying HaShem, we get closer to Him and to holiness.
I remember as a child watching my mom almost die. She had eaten a shrimp dinner and had a horrible reaction. Her throat swelled up, and she couldn’t breathe. An ambulance came for her, and she almost died at the hospital. She never ate seafood again. However, she could eat fish. I have a close friend who, when he was a child, ate raw bacon. He was deathly sick for almost a year. He had gotten the disease trichinosis. He lost weight, appetite, and strength. He recovered, but it has had lifelong effects on his health.
Hashem knows what is best for us. Why do we not listen? After all, He created all animals. He most likely created the unclean so that they could clean up the earth. So, they could eat the refuse or clean up other dead animals. To provide us with a cleaner and safer planet. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we just allowed that to happen?
The Church and Food Laws
The church doesn’t believe we have to follow the food Laws. Let’s look at the verses they might use. The most popular argument against keeping kosher is in Peter’s vision, Acts Chapter 10. Peter is up on the housetop praying at the sixth hour (more on praying later), and he falls into a trance. He sees heaven open and a big “sheet” descends with all kinds of unclean animals in it. HaShem calls to him and tells him to eat them. Peter says, “Not so, Hashem! I have never eaten anything common or unclean.” Hashem replies, “What Elohim has cleansed you must not call common.” This happened three times (verses 10-16).
Surely, if Hashem is telling Peter to eat the unclean meat, then the food Laws no longer apply, right? That is what we have been taught, but this definitely is not true. Read on:
Peter goes to Caesarea to the house of a Gentile named Cornelius. Cornelius was a Roman centurion, but a “God-fearer”. That means he believed in the Elohim of Abraham, and practiced the Law for the most part, but never formally converted to Judaism. Most likely because he was a centurion. He has a vision from Elohim to summon Peter to his house. And Peter goes. When he gets there, he says, “You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation (Gentile). But Elohim has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean. Therefore, I came without objection as soon as I was sent for.” (Verses 28-29)
Really? Hashem has told Peter not to call any man common or unclean. When did He tell Peter that? In the vision of the “sheet”, the verses right before this. You see, Peter knows the interpretation of the vision. Of course, Hashem would not tell Peter to disregard the law against eating unclean animals, nor would Hashem change the Law. Remember, no one can add to or take from the Law (Deuteronomy 4:2). Hashem was speaking to Peter through an illustration. For you see, Jews had made up strict rules (fences) for themselves about associating or eating with Gentiles. This was not Torah. This was man-made. Hashem clearly wanted the nations to come to faith in Him and wanted Peter to start helping Him with this. So, He tells Peter, through the use of an analogy, it is ok to eat with “unclean” people or the Gentiles. Peter gets it. Why haven’t we?
Peter goes on to tell Cornelius and his household about salvation or deliverance through Yeshua the Messiah. He came as the prophesied Mashiach to save and deliver Israel. Hashem’s Spirit falls on Cornelius and his household, and they begin to trust in Yeshua. This is evident as they begin to speak in different languages, just as happened at Pentecost (Shavuot in Hebrew).
Yes, the early talmidim followed the Torah and its food Laws. It wasn’t a burden; it was a joy to eat food that would make you healthy. Whose diet do you want to follow: the world's or Hashem’s? The answer is obvious.
No, Yeshua would not have attended church pig roasts. He wouldn’t have eaten BLT sandwiches. He would not have eaten at your local seafood restaurant. And neither would His talmidim.