KASHRUT

Scripturally correct food

 One of the first decisions we face as Returning Israel is whether we are going to obey the Biblical commands regarding food. This is often a confusing process since we are not used to examining the products we purchase to be sure there are not any non-food ingredients. It takes a little time to learn that there are a lot of things that can be/and are eaten which are not “food”.

Yahweh tells us in Bereshit (Genesis) 1:29 that He has given us the plants, fruits and nuts for food.

Gen 1:29  And Elohim said, “See, I have given you every plant that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed, to you it is for food.

 The criteria for meat that can be considered food are revealed to us in Leviticus chapter 11. Any flesh that does not meet those criteria cannot be Scripturally considered food. As we begin to try to eat Kashrut, we will find that many things we have been eating all our lives really are not food. For example, those delicious shrimp and that lobster that you relish are not food. It is really the carcass of a salt water scavenger. Every creation has a purpose in Yahweh’s great plan and these non-fin creatures of the sea are the sewage system of the sea and not for eating.

The frustrating thing is that the world system has been deluded into believing that we can eat anything we desire. Much of this belief comes from “food” accepted by pagan societies and those having no understanding of Scriptures. Many ingredients of foreign “food” are not really food but are things created for another purpose. Here in America, the most prominent meat used for breakfast is pork. A pig is not created to be a food item in any manner and is specifically named in the Bible as an exclusion from food. Yet because of a lack of understanding Hebraic thought, many have come to believe that Messiah Yahshua made ‘all things clean’ and OK to eat.

It is amazing how we can read His words regarding Torah being forever with absolutely no changes and then state that we do not have to obey Torah because Messiah has changed it. Most of us coming out of the church system really struggle with the question pertaining to food. We are so indoctrinated into believing that Yahshua spoke out of both sides of His mouth that we can justify almost anything we do.  Others decide that Peter’s vision regarding all the unclean animals and beasts means that all meat is now edible. The only problem with that is the vision pertained to people, not food. Peter even explained the vision a few verses later, yet men still grasp the interpretation we desire and call it truth.

Please remember to check on any food you are bringing to Oneg. If you have any doubts regarding an item, please call in advance and I can help you.

Be blessed and eat well.