Biblically REVEALING THE BIBLICAL SOURCES OF DIETARY LAWS IN JUDAISM KOSHER A MESSIANIC JEWISH PERSPECTIVE ON KASHRUT here is much more to the Bible’s food laws than saying, “Hold the bacon.” Learn what the Bible, ancient Rabbis, and the Apostles teach about eating. Did Jesus put ham, shrimp, and snails back on the table? TSee how a Messianic Jewish perspective provides important cultural context and uncovers the true meaning of New Testament passages about eating. Find out what it really means to eat biblically. You will discover: ● Biblical reasons to separate meat and dairy ● The real meaning of Peter’s vision ● Secret additives that contaminate food ● What Paul meant by “nothing is unclean” AA ● Why beef and chicken are not always kosher R This book will change the way you think about the Bible and food. It will ON E bring you closer to the ancient Jewish way of life that Jesus and his disciples practiced. Discover how the simple act of eating can become an expression of worship! B Y First Fruits of Zion ISBN 978-1-892124-61-6 PO Box 649 Marshfield, MO 65706-0649 USA 800–775–4807 9 781892 124616 www.ffoz.org A MessiAnic Jewish PersPective on KAshrut Biblically Kosher.indd 1 4/8/2013 8:12:36 AM A MessiAnic Jewish PersPective on KAshrut reveAling the BiBlicAl sources of DietAry Laws in JudaisM Biblically Kosher.indd 2 4/8/2013 8:12:36 AM A MessiAnic Jewish PersPective on KAshrut reveAling the BiBlicAl sources of DietAry Laws in JudaisM AAron eBy Biblically Kosher.indd 3 4/8/2013 8:12:36 AM Copyright © 2012 Aaron Eby. All rights reserved. Publication rights First Fruits of Zion, Inc. Details: www.ffoz.org/copyright Publisher grants permission to reference short quotations (less than 400 words) in reviews, magazines, newspapers, web sites, or other publications in accordance with the citation standards at www.ffoz.org/copyright. Requests for permission to reproduce more than 400 words can be made at www.ffoz.org/contact. First Fruits of Zion is a 501(c)(3) registered nonprofit educational organization. First Edition 2012 Printed in the United States of America ISBN: 978-1-892124-61-6 Scriptural quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Cover Design: First Fruits of Zion Quantity discounts are available on bulk purchases of this book for educational, fundraising, or event purposes. Special versions or book excerpts to fit specific needs are available from First Fruits of Zion. For more information, contact www.ffoz.org/contact. First Fruits of Zion PO Box 649, Marshfield, Missouri 65706–0649 USA Phone (417) 468–2741, www.ffoz.org Comments and questions: www.ffoz.org/contact BIBLICALLY KOSHER_V14.INDD; 07-15-2015; BIBLICALLY KOSHER_V14_PRESS.PDF contents Introduction. 1 The Place of Kashrut . 1 About This Book. 3 Part 1 Reasons for Keeping Kosher. 7 Is Health the Reason for Kosher Laws? . 7 Spiritual Benefits of Keeping Kosher . 10 The Importance of Keeping Kosher for Messianic Jews. 13 Objections to Keeping Kosher . 17 Can Kosher Law Be Overturned? . 17 Holiness, Purity, and Kashrut: Mark 7 and Acts 10 . 20 Answering Asceticism: Colossians 2 and 1 Timothy 4 . 41 The Weak in Faith: Romans 14. 50 Part 2 What the Torah Says about Kashrut . 63 Introduction . 63 Pure and Impure Animals . 63 Parts of the Animal. 70 Abstaining from Blood . 73 Purging Vessels . 77 Meat and Dairy. 82 v Biblically Kosher.indd 5 4/8/2013 8:12:36 AM Straining at Gnats. 102 Grain, Fruits, and Vegetables. 105 Food Offered to Idols. 114 Hidden Ingredients . 118 Cheese . 119 Kosher Certification. 121 “Leaven” on Passover . 121 Conclusion . 127 Part 3 Keeping Kosher in a Messianic Community. 133 Kashrut and Community . 133 Kashrut for Gentiles. 136 Conclusion . 149 Reference Material Bibliography. 153 Glossary. 157 Scripture Reference Index. 163 Subject Index . 167 Endnotes. 171 vi BIBLICALLY KOSHER Biblically Kosher.indd 6 4/8/2013 8:12:36 AM introDuction ashrut is the concept of dietary law in Judaism. It begins with K the Bible’s instructions about permitted (“kosher”) food. Over the centuries, the Jewish community has applied, discussed, interpreted, and elaborated on these instructions, resulting in the system of laws and customs that exists today. The Place of Kashrut The significance of kashrut stems from the centrality of food to life. People eat every day. Social events typically revolve around meals. Cultures are often distinguished by their cuisines. Perhaps no greater factor affects human health more than the quality of food that we eat. The nutrients in food literally become our flesh and blood as well as the energy that animates them. The mere sight or smell of food affects our thoughts. We invol- untarily associate foods with our past experiences and memories. Tasty treats can effectively motivate desired behaviors. Given the intensity of the sociological, physiological, and psychological connection humans have to food, one should not underestimate the spiritual aspect of what we eat. The very first pro- hibition recorded in the Bible was a dietary law (Genesis 2:16–17). Essentially, the fall of man resulted from a violation of kashrut. Even the glimpses that the Scriptures give us into the future world involve eating. “I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table [that is, eat a meal] with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 8:11). Kosher eating is also significant because of its intense connec- tion with Jewish identity. Even people who know little about Judaism INTtrDUuctio 7 Biblically Kosher.indd 7 4/8/2013 8:12:36 AM are often aware that observant Jews do not eat pork. Enemies of the Jewish people from the days of the Maccabees until the Spanish Inquisition have attempted to force Jews to eat non-kosher food as a disavowal of their Jewishness. This highlights how very symbolic our food choices are. Nonetheless, one must understand the importance of kashrut in relation to the Torah’s many other demands. Kashrut is one of several commandments that are very external in nature. Because of this, it becomes susceptible to misapplication. The holy and God-given commandments of kashrut can fall victim to our own pretentious hypocrisy. One must remember that the Torah is much bigger than the few commandments that draw the most attention. Prominent observances like the Sabbath and holidays, wearing tzitzit (tassels) or tefillin (phylacteries), and eating kosher are the proverbial “tip of the iceberg”; the heart of Torah is deep beneath the surface. To draw another analogy, these outward signs are like a national flag waving on the highest mast of a powerful ship. They serve an important role in defining and communicating identity, but they are merely an adornment of the main body of the Torah. It would be pointless and foolish to obsess over the flag’s appearance while the sails are torn or the hull is corroded. This is what our Master Yeshua called “straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel” (Mat- thew 23:24). Thus, to observe kashrut properly is to do so in a way that it becomes intertwined with other mitzvot. The boundaries and les- sons it provides should inspire and equip a person to seek inner, essential holiness. Kashrut should go hand in hand with hospitality and generosity—providing food to the hungry, for example. Eating kosher should emerge from a heart of thankfulness, gentleness, and humility. As Yeshua said, “First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean” (Matthew 23:26). However, note that he did not say, “Clean only the inside, for the outside does not matter.” The sages have noted the vicious cycle effect of godliness: “One mitzvah leads to another mitzvah” (m.Avot 4:2). This is one great reason to begin keeping kosher. But if kashrut does not lead one to improve in other areas of life, then that observance is superficial. Nonetheless, if one keeps kosher with the proper motivation and 8 BIBLICALLY KOSHER Biblically Kosher.indd 8 4/8/2013 8:12:36 AM perspective, it has the power to transform his life and propel him into a more profound and intimate walk with the Creator. About This Book This book was written from a Messianic Jewish perspective. It is intended for followers of Yeshua (Jesus of Nazareth) who want to understand the biblical sources at the core of dietary practices observed in Judaism today. The standards and recommendations presented in this book are pertinent to Jewish individuals as well as to Gentiles who have made a personal decision to keep kosher. However, the Bible does not impose upon Gentiles all of the same dietary requirements to which Jews are bound. Gentiles do have some dietary requirements, which are explained in the section entitled “Kashrut for Gentiles.” Additionally, this section offers several reasons why Gentile fol- lowers of Yeshua should feel encouraged to go beyond the bare minimum dietary standard. This book is divided into three parts. In the first part, I present some of the reasons someone might keep kosher and the benefits of doing so, then I address passages in the New Testament that are often raised to argue that one need not or must not eat only kosher food. These are passages like, “Thus Jesus declared all foods clean” (Mark 7:19), “Let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink” (Colossians 2:16), and, “Nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving” (1 Timothy 4:4).