THE DIETARY LAWS OF GOD (THE LAWS OF KASHRUTH)

INTRODUCTION

The Almighty GOD, the Master and Designer of the universe determined and prescribed what is food for the human mind and body and prohibited that which would cause disruption to his spiritual equilibrium.

GOD is a GOD of Covenant. GOD instructed Moses to say to Israel: “Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself. Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel” (Ex. 19:4-6).

GOD spoke to Moses and said: “But as for thee, stand thou here by Me, and I will speak unto thee all the Commandments, and the Statutes, and the Judgments, which thou shalt teach them, that they may do them in the land which I give them to possess it” (Deut. 5:31).

It follows that the Covenant Laws of GOD consist of the Commandments, (otherwise known as Testimonies), Statutes and Judgments (otherwise known as Ordinances), for the text says: “And this is the law which Moses set before the children of Israel: These are the Testimonies, and the Statutes, and the Judgments, which Moses spake unto the children of Israel, after they came forth out of Egypt” (Deut. 4:44-45).

A man cannot say that he worships the GOD of Israel unless he takes upon himself the yoke of the Sovereignty of that GOD which is expressed in His Covenant laws. When he does, he is then called a Covenant child.

The dietary Laws of GOD (the Laws of Kashruth) fall into GOD’s category of Covenant Laws, called the Statutes (Chukim, in Hebrew).

For a Covenant child, whatever GOD commands, he is obligated to obey whether or not he is told the reason why he must obey. He must believe in the all-wise and all-knowing GOD, and must deeply believe that obedience of GOD’s Laws is for his ultimate benefit. It is certain that dietary Laws have been given to man in order to enrich and improve his life whether or not such enrichment and improvement is apparent to him.

A Covenant child must see himself as a servant, and GOD, His Master, for the text says: “For they are My servants, which I brought forth out of the land of Egypt: they shall not be sold as bondmen. … For unto Me the children of Israel are servants; they are My servants whom I brought forth out of the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your GOD” (Lev. 25:42, 55). It is the duty of the servant to do the will of his master. In other words, it is the duty of the servant to hear and obey the voice of his master. The text says: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear GOD, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For GOD shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil” (Eccles. 12:13-14). The text also says: “Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being His counsellor hath taught Him? With whom took He counsel, and who instructed Him, and taught Him in the path of judgment, and taught Him knowledge, and shewed to Him the way of understanding? … To whom then will ye liken GOD? Or what likeness will ye compare unto Him?” (Isa. 40:13-14, 18).

The Almighty GOD did not give us specific reasons why we must avoid certain foods, save to say as follows: “…I am the LORD your GOD, which have separated you from other people. Ye shall therefore put difference between clean beasts and unclean, and between unclean fowls and clean: and ye shall not make your souls abominable by beast, or by fowl, or by any manner of living thing that creepeth on the ground, which I have separated from you as unclean. And ye shall be holy unto Me: for I the LORD am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be Mine” (Lev. 20:24-26). And “Ye shall not make yourselves abominable with any creeping thing that creepeth, neither shall ye make yourselves unclean with them, that ye should be defiled thereby. For I am the LORD your GOD: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. For I am the LORD that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your GOD: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy” (Lev. 11:43-45). And also: “And ye shall be holy men unto Me: neither shall ye eat any flesh that is torn of beasts in the field; ye shall cast it to the dogs” (Ex. 22:31).

It is thus clear that the dietary Laws help man to develop the divine quality of holiness in GOD’s Covenant children, as well as foster the bond of holiness between GOD and His Covenant children. Observance of the dietary Laws automatically separates GOD’s people from those who do not observe them.

Whether we are willing to accept it or not, a man is what he eats, as what we eat greatly influence our lives spiritually and physically. For the Covenant child, the maxim is true that we eat to live rather than live to eat. The dietary Law transforms the act of nourishment into a celebration of the spirit and the body into a vessel of the divine. It also serves as a means of identification and distinctiveness as a Covenant child. He sets himself apart from the world to link himself to GOD. He grows in holiness through discipline in his diet.

When one observes GOD’s dietary Laws, it is an affirmation of GOD’s Covenant. The essence of being a Covenant child is in being spiritual, in being holy, for within the body of a true Covenant child, there resides a holy and external soul. Every Commandment of GOD reminds him of his existence. And even with the food that is eaten, if it is eaten in accordance with GOD’s Laws of diet, is sacred in nature and sanctifies his body. Conversely, the consumption of forbidden foods defiles the Holy Spirit in his body as a Temple of the Holy Spirit, and places a disadvantage on his ability to reap the full spiritual rewards of exceeding riches of the Torah (Rabbi Yacov Lipschutz).

Every sin must be avoided, but a sin that is absorbed into the body, like food forbidden by GOD, is far worse than the one that is done with the hands. One is internalized while the other remains external. It is like one eating or injesting poison into his system. It is worse than merely touching or stepping on it.

The Talmudic Sages refer to the result of eating of forbidden foods as Timtum halev – damaging the heart’s ability to fully comprehend. The Sages teach that the eating of forbidden foods has a harmful effect on the Jewish soul, even if it was done unintentionally (Yoma 39b). I dare say, to the soul of every Covenant child. Even for an infant, to nurture him with forbidden food is spiritually harmful to the innocent infant (Yoreh Deah 81:17).

Of the 613 Commandments contained in the Torah, 50 deal with food and eating habits.

The term “kosher” means, “that which is in accordance with the Laws of Kashruth, GOD’s dietary Laws.” The dietary Laws deal with kosher food, that is, food permitted by GOD’s Law to be eaten. “Kosher” means “fit,” “proper,” “correct,” “permitted,” and can also be applied to a Torah Scroll, an Etrog (citron used during the Feast of Sukkot), a Tallit (prayer shawl), or Tephillin (phylacteries used during week day prayers), all of which must be kosher, that is, fit for use from the Jewish law (halakhic) point of view. Also, a Synagogue must be kosher, and even an upright and trustworthy person is also spoken of as being a “kosher” individual (Dr. Morris Golomb). The opposite of Kosher is treifah (unkosher).

ANIMALS

The dietary Laws of GOD permits us to eat only those four-legged animals (quadruped) that have a split hoof and that bring up its cud. They are otherwise known as ruminants. These two conditions must be met before an animal can be considered kosher, for the text says: “Whatsoever parteth the hoof, and is clovenfooted, and cheweth the cud, among the beasts, that shall ye eat” (Lev. 11:3). See also Deut. 14:6.

In Deut. 14:4-5, ten species of animals are mentioned as kosher, for the text says: “These are the beasts which ye shall eat: the ox, the sheep, and the goat, the hart, and the roebuck, and the fallow deer, and the wild goat, and the pygarg, and the wild ox, and the chamois.”

The Talmud explains that since there are far more non-kosher animals than kosher, the Torah enumerates the animals that are kosher. And according to Rambam (Forbidden Foods 1:8): “There are not in the entire universe any animals that are permitted to be eaten except for the ten species enumerated in the Torah.”

The stomach of these ruminants consist of four chambers, namely the rumen, the reticulum from which the food they eat is redigested upward; the omasum to which it then returns; and the abomasum. The cud then passes from the chambers to the duodenum.

It would be seen that the hart, roebuck and fallow deer are all of the deer family, and most of these permitted animals tend to live on vegetation and domesticated. They are herbivorous whereas most forbidden animals tend to be carnivorous (meat – eating) and wild. They are animals that prey on other animals.

It is also noteworthy that animals who chew their cud generally have longer intestines than carnivorous animals, and so take more time to digest their foods. Carnivorous animals, on the other hand, are said to have shorter intestines which makes for quick digestion of the meat they eat and this becomes quickly transferred into the blood, the carrier of the animal instinct. These animals display savage habits and often use their undivided hoofs as a weapon rather than just feet to stand on.

Among the many animals categorized as unclean and defiled and unfit for consumption, four are specifically mentioned in the Law of GOD, such as the carmel, the coney, the hare and the swine. These animals, like others in the unclean and defiled category do not meet the two conditions that must be met before an animal can be considered kosher. For the text says: “Nevertheless these shall ye not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the hoof: as the camel, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you. And the coney, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you. And the hare, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you. And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be clovenfooted, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you” (Lev. 11:4-7). See also Deut. 14:7-8.

It did not end there. The text also says: “Of their flesh shall ye not eat, and their carcase shall ye not touch; they are unclean to you” (Lev. 11:8). See also Deut. 14:8.

To bring it nearer home. Coney and hare are in the rabbit family, and swine, of course, is the pig. We are all too familiar with the carmel. However, the world eats these forbidden animals with relish. A Covenant child does not understand the observance of the dietary Laws as an attempt to prevent him from partaking of culinary pleasure. As noted earlier, GOD’s dietary Laws are observed by a Covenant child as a matter of faith because it is Commanded by GOD.

For the perishing European, American, Nigerian or other worldling, the pig meat, often nicely called pork or ham or peperoni, is the most delectable meat, and as if to mock or despise the Almighty GOD and His Laws which they conveniently claim to apply only to literal Israel, one may find inscribed on a luxury bus in the United States of America, an inscription written boldly, “It’s like heaven when I’m eating pork,” without any compunction whatsoever. It is a blasphemy! One can then see into what depth of perversion people have sunk. Yet the text says: “They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst, eating swine's flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the LORD” (Isa. 66:17). It also says: “A people that provoketh Me to anger continually to My face; that sacrificeth in gardens, and burneth incense upon altars of brick; Which remain among the graves, and lodge in the monuments, which eat swine's flesh, and broth of abominable things is in their vessels” (Isa. 65:3-4). And in the Law, it is clearly written as stated above: “Of their flesh shall ye not eat, and their carcase shall ye not touch; they are unclean to you.”

FOWLS

The Bible does not mention the kosher fowls, neither does it lay down any specific rules for identifying kosher fowls as it does for quadruped (ruminants). It only enumerates the non-kosher species and they are twenty-four in number. The text says: “And these are they which ye shall have in abomination among the fowls; they shall not be eaten, they are an abomination: the eagle, and the ossifrage, and the ospray, And the vulture, and the kite after his kind; Every raven after his kind; And the owl, and the night hawk, and the cuckow, and the hawk after his kind, And the little owl, and the cormorant, and the great owl, And the swan, and the pelican, and the gier eagle, And the stork, the heron after her kind, and the lapwing, and the bat. All fowls that creep, going upon all four, shall be an abomination unto you” (Lev. 11:13-20). See also Deut. 14:12-18. Deut. 14:13 mentions a bird named glede, in addition.

From the above list, it would be seen that birds of prey are forbidden as food and it is believed that a person who eats the flesh of birds with such cruel habits may be similarly affected spiritually and otherwise.

Not only is the meat of a non-kosher animal or bird (fowl) forbidden, its milk and eggs are forbidden as well. The eggs of non-kosher birds are usually identified by their shape. They are mostly usually round instead of oval. Also, unlike that of clean birds, their yolk is usually outside the white part.

In the absence of specific laid down rules for identifying kosher fowls, the Jews (who had direct experience with GOD) eat only those birds that through the generations have been traditionally identified as kosher, such as chicken, duck, turkey, geese, capon, dove and pigeon. The kosher status of some species such as quail and the pheasant (which many scholars maintain are not the same as the quail and pheasant mentioned in the Torah), the Guinea hen, peacock and various species of wild geese, are the subject of Talmudic response, and remain in doubt. It would, nonetheless, appear that the Guinea hen is kosher.

However, it is generally understood that for a fowl to be permitted to be eaten, it must have a projecting claw, a crop, and a gizzard or stomach that can readily be peeled off its inner lining.

STEPS TO EATING KOSHER MEAT

The first step to eating kosher meat is to ensure that the meat comes from a four-legged animal (ruminant) that the Bible permits one to eat. The second step is to ensure that the animal is slaughtered according to rabbinical Law by a qualified butcher. A qualified butcher is called a “Shochet” in Hebrew.

In Deut. 12:21, we read: “If the place which the LORD thy God hath chosen to put his name there be too far from thee, then thou shalt kill of thy herd and of thy flock, which the LORD hath given thee, as I have commanded thee, and thou shalt eat in thy gates whatsoever thy soul lusteth after.”

The Torah merely states that we can slaughter (kill) our herd (cattle) and of our flock without elaboration. The details of how to slaughter was, it is said, taught by Moses, the servant of GOD, and transmitted orally, until it was transcribed in the Mishnah and Talmud.

The process of slaughtering is called “shechitah,” and the butcher (Shochet) must be someone who is learned in the laws of shechitah and highly skilled, well trained and pious individual who possesses an exact knowledge of the anatomy, organs, and diseases of the animals he slaughters.

Before slaughtering is performed, the Shochet ensures that the animal’s neck area is clean, free of mud, pebbles, dirt and sand in order not to impair the slaughtering process. His slaughtering knife (chalef) must be very sharp and perfectly free of any nicks or defects on the cutting edge in order to cause as little pain as possible to the animal.

In animals, both the trachea (wind pipe) and esophagus (food pipe) are severed by cutting in the prescribed area. In fowl, it is sufficient that either one of these be cut. The cut must sever the entire or major portion of the organ, and must be performed with continuous strokes, without pressure or hesitation in order not to render the slaughtering a strangulation, and make the animal unkosher.

Hunting animals for food is forbidden by Jewish Law, and killing for sport and not for food is also forbidden as a violation of the precepts of kindness to animals and of regard for life. A kosher animal killed by a trap becomes unkosher because its death was caused by strangulation.

A kosher animal or fowl that dies of its own is made unkosher because its blood remained in it, for the text says: “And every soul that eateth that which died of itself, or that which was torn with beasts, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger, he shall both wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even: then shall he be clean. But if he wash them not, nor bathe his flesh; then he shall bear his iniquity” (Lev. 17:15-16). This is just as electrocuted chickens are considered strangulated. Most frozen chickens processed in whole or part in millions and billions and exported to parts of the world from around the world are unkosher because they were electrocuted and not slaughtered according to the law of shechitah. The blood in the chickens did not flow out as Commanded in the dietary Law of GOD. The text says: “And whatsoever man there be of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among you, which hunteth and catcheth any beast or fowl that may be eaten; he shall even pour out the blood thereof, and cover it with dust” (Lev. 17:13). See also Deut. 12:16, 24; 15:23. The text also says: “For her blood is in the midst of her; she set it upon the top of a rock; she poured it not upon the ground, to cover it with dust” (Ezek.24:7).

The third step to eating kosher meat is to ensure after slaughtering that the animal is thoroughly examined by the shochet for any possible disease, infection, injury or any other defect which makes the animal treifah (unkosher). This examination is called b’dikah. The lungs are first examined before they are removed from the chest cavity. The examiner opens the diaphragm and inserts his hand into the cavity, passing his hand over the lobes of the lung as he determines whether or not there are adhesions on the lungs, and whether or not the lungs are properly formed. The lungs are then carefully removed from the body cavity and examined once again externally. This examination will confirm that each lung is free of any defect. When this is found to be free of any defect, the lungs are described not only as kosher, but by the Hebrew term “chalak” (perfectly smooth). See “Kashruth, A comprehensive background and reference guide to the principles of kashruth,” by Rabbi Yacov Lipschutz (1988).

The injuries and diseases that render an animal forbidden are defects that affects all the major organs, which are either missing, perforated, torn, poisoned, broken or injured in a fall. Included are the brain, heart, spinal column, jaw, crop in fowl, esophagus, lungs, trachea, liver, gall bladder, spleen, kidney, womb, intestines, omasum, abomasum, rumen, reticulum, legs, ribs, and hide. Sometimes legs of chickens require examination because of certain diseases that affect the legs of fowls. Also, the intestines of fowls do have abscesses and sometimes may have to be examined. The veins, blood vessels and certain tendons must be removed.

FATS

Other forbidden portions include the fat portions (chai’lev) and must be removed. The Talmud specifies the location of the forbidden fats as the fat of the stomachs (omasum, abomasum and rumen). Also included are the fat covering the kidneys and body cavity over the hind legs or the loins, and the diaphragm upon which the liver rests. The liver must be scraped clean of fats; the membrane and cords of the spleen, both the membrane and all the fats in which the meat is embedded are removed from the hanging tender (a muscle which hangs beyond the diaphragm near the kidneys); the intestines must be scraped clean of all the forbidden fats and membranes; fats and cords are removed from “ox tails” at the point where it is attached to the animal. In the area of the lower mid-section, the navel, there are several areas which require removal of the membranes covering the skirt steaks. Fats and connecting tissues are removed from the meat of the navel area, commonly referred to as the plate or pastrami piece.

It is important that these forbidden fats are removed, for the text says: “Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, Ye shall eat no manner of fat, of ox, or of sheep, or of goat. And the fat of the beast that dieth of itself, and the fat of that which is torn with beasts, may be used in any other use: but ye shall in no wise eat of it. For whosoever eateth the fat of the beast, of which men offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD, even the soul that eateth it shall be cut off from his people” (Lev. 17:23-25). It is an everlasting prohibition, for the text says: “It shall be a perpetual statute for your generations throughout all your dwellings, that ye eat neither fat nor blood” (Lev. 3:17).

Not included in this prohibition are species of animals not fit for the sacrifices offered unto GOD, for example, antelope, deer, gazelle etc.

The loins, rump, flank and shank are to be removed. But the neck, chuck, ribs, shoulder, brisket, foreshank and short plate are kosher.

Also forbidden is the “gid hanashe” (sciatic nerve), which comes from the rear of the spinal column and branches down through the entire hind leg, for the text says: “Therefore the children of Israel eat not of the sinew which shrank, which is upon the hollow of the thigh, unto this day: because he touched the hollow of Jacob's thigh in the sinew that shrank” (Gen. 32:32).

BLOOD

Eating of the blood of all animals and fowls in whatever form is forbidden by the Law of GOD, whether the blood is in liquid form or is part of the muscle, tissue, bone or fat. The text says: “Moreover ye shall eat no manner of blood, whether it be of fowl or of beast, in any of your dwellings. Whatsoever soul it be that eateth any manner of blood, even that soul shall be cut off from his people” (Lev. 7:26-27). The text says: “And whatsoever man there be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among you, that eateth any manner of blood; I will even set my face against that soul that eateth blood, and will cut him off from among his people. For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul. Therefore I said unto the children of Israel, No soul of you shall eat blood, neither shall any stranger that sojourneth among you eat blood. And whatsoever man there be of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among you, which hunteth and catcheth any beast or fowl that may be eaten; he shall even pour out the blood thereof, and cover it with dust. For it is the life of all flesh; the blood of it is for the life thereof: therefore I said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall eat the blood of no manner of flesh: for the life of all flesh is the blood thereof: whosoever eateth it shall be cut off” (Lev. 17:10-14). The text says: “But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat” (Gen. 9:4). The text says: “Only ye shall not eat the blood; ye shall pour it upon the earth as water. ….Only be sure that thou eat not the blood: for the blood is the life; and thou mayest not eat the life with the flesh. Thou shalt not eat it; thou shalt pour it upon the earth as water. Thou shalt not eat it; that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, when thou shalt do that which is right in the sight of the LORD” (Deut. 12:16, 23-25). The text says: “Only thou shalt not eat the blood thereof; thou shalt pour it upon the ground as water” (Deut. 15:23). The text says: “Ye shall not eat anything with the blood….” (Lev. 19:26). The text says: “It shall be a perpetual statute for your generations throughout all your dwellings, that ye eat neither fat nor blood” (Lev. 3:17). And the text says: “Then they told Saul, saying, Behold, the people sin against the LORD, in that they eat with the blood. And he said, Ye have transgressed: roll a great stone unto me this day” (1 Sam. 14:33).

The blood of fish and insects is not included in this prohibition. It is important to note that mincemeat or ground meat used in making gala, pies or sausages, corned beef and the like, is often ground with the blood in the meat because those who mince or grind them do not drain out the blood from the meat before mincing or grinding, as most people in the world do not keep kosher. It is therefore, only safe to buy from certified kosher sources.

The extraction of the blood from the meat is commonly referred to as “koshering” or “kashering” the meat, and the procedure for extracting the blood from meat may be done by either broiling or salting.

THE KOSHERING PROCEDURE – BY BROILING

To broil is to directly expose to radiant heat, like to grill or roast. The intensity of the heat extracts the blood from the tissue. Although the intensity of the heat extracts the blood from the tissue and removes any blood on the surface, it is traditional to rinse the meat with cold water before broiling. It is also traditional to sprinkle a few grains of salt on the meat to aid in the extraction.

When frozen meat is to be kosher-broiled, it must first be thawed out (defrosted) before koshering. The fire used for broiling may be from a flame, coal etc., and the heat source should be below the meat preferably. Microwave is not a flame and is not used for broiling, and residential ovens are not suitable for kosher-broiling process, because they permit the meat to lay in the blood which gathers in the grooves of the grill. Meat that is kosher broiled is to be placed on a rack, fork, knife, spit or a grate and the extracted blood must flow from the meat unimpeded.

The meat should be left to broil until the entire piece is half- broiled. Once the entire piece is half-broiled, the blood has been extracted, and the meat is kosher. This stage is reached when no more fluid exudes from the piece being roasted and its surface has become dry. While the meat is broiling, it is permissible to turn the meat over occasionally so that it will be evenly broiled.

Due to the excessive amount of blood in the natural composition of liver, it must be kosher broiled for it to be kosher, and it must not be kosher-broiled together with other types of meat, since the flow of blood from the liver is far greater than that of other meat.

Medical practitioners often prescribe eating of liver for patients who lack blood. Such a prescription must never be accepted by GOD’s Covenant children. If liver must be eaten as a source of blood, it must be kosher broiled. Otherwise GOD will set His face against the eater to cut him off from among His people.

The typical outdoor barbecue grill fired by coal or gas flame may also be used for kosher broiling.

The blood and all the drippings during the broiling are non-kosher, and the pan used to collect the drippings becomes non-kosher as well, and should not be used for other foods. In order to avoid cleaning and scraping the pan, some people line it with aluminum foil, and merely discard the foil after use. Some use disposable aluminum pans.

After the meat is kosher-broiled, it is traditional to rinse the surface with cold water as a precautionary measure, to wash off any residual blood on the surface. It should be rinsed three times. See generally Rabbi Yacov Lipschutz (Ibid).

One must note well that as liver, owing to its high blood content cannot be koshered by salting, but by roasting (broiling), so is meat which has been left for 72 hours (three days) without it being soaked in cool water. It is always preferable to kosher broil meat within 72 hours of slaughtering (shechitah). Otherwise, chances are that the blood would congeal in the capillaries to a point where it can no longer be assumed that the salting will completely extract it.

One must also note well that before roasting a whole liver, it must be cut length wise and across its width. The side of the cuts must be turned downwards during the roasting so that the free flow of blood is assured. When roasting part of a liver, the liver of a fowl, or a piece of meat, cutting is not required.

If one wishes to examine the liver during roasting to see whether it is ready, one must first cool it with water and then cut it open with a knife. The spit, knife or fork which was stuck into the liver or meat during the roasting is treifah as it absorbed some blood during the process. The same for the rack or grate. Consequently, it must be koshered through heating until red hot before it may again be used for roasting or in connection with anything kosher.

KOSHERING BY SALTING

Drawing out the blood from meat, fat and bones, is effected by way of salting. The main utensils needed for koshering are: (a) a vessel in which the meat is soaked before salting (b) a board on which the meat is placed after having been salted and (c) a vessel in which the meat is rinsed after salting (unless rinsing it under running water is preferred.

Two kinds of board may be used: a solid board or a board with holes. Where a solid board is used, it must be placed in a slanting position so that the blood drained from the meat may flow away freely. However, where the surface is made of very smooth material, such as formica, it need not be put in a slanting position. A board with holes need not be put in a slanting position, but it must be raised slightly so that the holes will not be blocked up.

Regarding vessel for rinsing after salting, even a kosher vessel may be used for this purpose, provided that it will be cleansed with cold or lukewarm water after it has been used for rinsing.

It is important to know on what day and at what hour slaughtering (shechitah) took place, since salting is effective only if meat is soaked in water within 72 hours from the time of slaughtering. If the meat had been soaked and was left to be salted at a later time, it has to be soaked a second time prior to salting. The second soaking must take place within 72 hours of the first soaking. The point has been made earlier that meat which has not been soaked in water within 72 hours from the time of slaughtering, can be koshered only by roasting over an open fire, and not by salting. The point has also been made earlier that frozen meat must be defrosted before koshering. It would be added, however, that for a speedy defrosting, lukewarm water may be used.

Koshering of meat is done in three stages:

Soaking of the meat in water: The meat is soaked in water in order to wash away the blood which is on the surface. Salting helps only to draw out the blood which is inside the meat. Soaking is also necessary in order to make the meat tender so that salting will be effective. Before soaking, one has to examine the meat for any red, black or blue marks which would indicate that blood had gathered in the respective places. Such areas would have to be either cut away or at least cut into, and all visible blood would have to be washed away. The entire meat must be submerged in water. The water for soaking must not be ice-cold, i.e., so cold that the hand cannot bear it for a long time. If the water is very cold, one must let it stand until it reaches normal temperature, or alternatively, add some warm water to take off the chill before the meat is put into the vessel. Cold water stiffens the meat, making the tissues unsuitable for blood extraction. Hot water causes the blood to flow and be reabsorbed in the tissue, and it can no longer be koshered. The normal time for soaking is thirty minutes. Meat may be left in water for more than thirty minutes, up to a maximum of just under twenty- four hours (one day). Meat left in water for twenty-four hours is treifah. After soaking, the meat is rinsed again. This rinsing washes off the soak-water and any blood that may have remained in the residue of that water. Any blood still found on it must be rubbed off. The meat is then taken out of the water, and inspected to ascertain that all surface blood has in fact, been removed. The inner parts of a hen needs special attention as clots of blood are frequently found there even after soaking, and it is essential that these should be removed before salting. After the meat has been taken out of water, the water is then permitted to drip from the meat, in order to ensure that the salt which will be strewn or sprinkled on the meat will not dissolve immediately. Even so, the surface of the meat must not be allowed to be completely dry, as the salt will not be effective and adhere to the meat when the meat is dry.

Salting the meat: The meat is to be covered with salt that is coarse enough for the granules to perform the extraction, and not dissolve on the surface. Therefore, powdered and table salt which may dissolve too quickly are unsuitable for the koshering process. Also unsuitable is salt that is excessively thick eg., rock salt or pellets, since these do not dissolve and penetrate the surface and there is no extraction. A flake type salt of medium coarseness is most suitable for koshering, and is commonly referred to as “kosher salt.” Fine salt may be used where this is unobtainable. All sides of the meat and all cracks, flaps and cuts in the meat are to be salted. Not a single area of the meat should be left without salt. The salt need not be heaped up like snow. It will suffice if it has the appearance of frost on a roof top. See Practical Guide To kashruth, by Rabbi S. Wagschall (1972). The same applies when koshering hens and other fowl. On the koshering board, the meat must be placed in a position where it can drain freely, and permit the free flow of blood. Bones bare of meat are put on the board in a place where no meat or blood flowing from the meat will touch them. This is because bones have less blood than meat. The same applies to eggs found inside a hen. It is usual to put bones and eggs at the top or on the side of the koshering board. On koshering a hen or other fowls, the hollow part must be turned downwards.

Pieces of meat may touch one another during salting. Therefore, if there is insufficient room on the koshering board, one may pile pieces on top of the other. This is permitted because while the blood is being extracted from a cut of meat, that cut will not absorb the blood being extracted from the other pieces. The meat must not be placed on a flat surface that is either not perforated or not on the incline (slanted) as this would inhibit the free flow of blood from the meat.

The meat must lie in salt for a full hour. Meat may be left in salt for more than one hour and up to a maximum of just under twelve hours.

Rinsing the meat: After the salting period, the meat is then thoroughly rinsed of all blood and salt containing blood to be removed three times in cool or lukewarm water.

One must take care that blood drawn out of meat should not come in contact with anything kosher. The same applies to the salt used for koshering and which now contains blood.

KOSHERING HENS AND OTHER FOWLS

Heated water is never used in the plucking or defeathering process, since the use of hot water would make a fowl unfit for koshering. Meat must not be heated before salting. One must not also hold the fowl over a large fire for burning off the feathers. The same rules for draining blood apply to hens and other fowls.

Eggs found inside a hen, whether with or without shell, require salting. They must be placed on the koshering board away from the meat or bones.

BLOOD SPOTS IN EGGS

Any red spot in the yolk or any red substance in the white of an egg, must be regarded as a blood spot. White or yellow substances do not matter but any brown substance must be viewed with caution. A blood spot on a fertilized egg is a sign of the possible beginning of the formation of a chicken embryo, and therefore, both the blood and the entire egg are forbidden. In order to avoid a situation where the blood spot is found after the egg has been mixed with other eggs, that is, when the mixture consists of the spotted egg and two or more additional eggs, it is universal kashruth practice to examine each egg individually before use. It is risky to sip a raw egg from its shell as one may injest blood in the process.

MEAT AND MILK

Meat and milk are not to be eaten together. This prohibition is based upon the passage: “You shall not cook a kid in its mother’s milk” (Ex. 23:19; 34:26; Deut. 14:21. This includes the meat and milk of all domestic kosher animals. The Talmud states that since this passage is repeated thrice, each passage indicates a distinct prohibition. Therefore, it is derived that (a) it is forbidden to cook a mixture of meat and milk of domestic animals, and if cooked (b) it may not be eaten; and (c) no benefit whatsoever may be derived from it.

A time period must elapse before one may eat dairy foods after having eaten meat. A dairy is food containing or produced from milk (e.g., milk, cheese, butter, margarine, ice cream). The length of the interval is generally accepted to be six hours counting from the time when the last meaty food was eaten. After eating milky food, cream-cheese or butter, waiting is not necessary before eating meaty food, but cleaning of hands and mouth is required as by rinsing or drinking a liquid and by eating or chewing some solid food. But after eating processed cheese, eating of meaty food must be delayed by six hours as when one ate meat.

Utensils used for cooking meat are usually kept apart from utensils used for dairy.

Note that any kosher animal that dies of its own is forbidden to be eaten. Again the text says: “And every soul that eateth that which died of itself, or that which was torn with beasts, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger, he shall both wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even: then shall he be clean” (Lev. 17:15-16). See also Deut. 14:21. The text also says: “That which dieth of itself, or is torn with beasts, he shall not eat to defile himself therewith: I am the LORD” (Lev. 22:8). The Prophet Ezekiel said of himself: “Then said I, Ah Lord GOD! behold, my soul hath not been polluted: for from my youth up even till now have I not eaten of that which dieth of itself, or is torn in pieces; neither came there abominable flesh into my mouth” (Ezek. 4:14). And of the Priests, it is also said: “The priests shall not eat of anything that is dead of itself, or torn, whether it be fowl or beast” (Ezek. 44:31). Again see Ex. 22:31.

FISH

For a fish to be kosher, it must have both fins and scales, not only one or the other, for the text says: “These shall ye eat of all that are in the waters: whatsoever hath fins and scales in the waters, in the seas, and in the rivers, them shall ye eat. And all that have not fins and scales in the seas, and in the rivers, of all that move in the waters, and of any living thing which is in the waters, they shall be an abomination unto you: They shall be even an abomination unto you; ye shall not eat of their flesh, but ye shall have their carcases in abomination. Whatsoever hath no fins nor scales in the waters, that shall be an abomination unto you” (Lev. 11:9-12). Also Deut. 14:9-10 where the word “unclean” is used, for the text says” These ye shall eat of all that are in the waters: all that have fins and scales shall ye eat: And whatsoever hath not fins and scales ye may not eat; it is unclean unto you.”

The Talmud says that all fish that have kosher scales have fins. The converse is not true, however. The presence of fins is not an indication that there are scales.

Fish are a pareve (neutral) food. The entire fish, including the blood may be eaten and requires no special preparation. Since fish are neither meat nor dairy, they may be eaten before and after any food (See Rabbi Yacov Lipschutz, ibid). The laws of slaughtering do not apply to fish, according to Num. 11:22, wherein we read: “Shall the flocks and the herds be slain for them, to suffice them? Or shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, to suffice them?”

The prohibited fishes and sea food include cat fish, eel, shark, whale, clam, crab, frog, lobster, octopus, oyster, scallop, shrimp (prawn), crayfish, lump fish, sturgeon, sword fish, turbot (European flat fish), monk fish, sculpins etc. Since crustaceans and mollusks (shell fish) have no scales, they are not kosher, as are marine mammals: seals, dolphins, porpoises and whales. Snail is also not kosher (Lev. 11:30).

Kosher fishes include cod, salmon, tuna, anchovy, blue fish, butter fish, carp, flounder, mackerel, sardine, fluke, haddock, halibut, herring, pike, porgy, red snapper, sea brass, shad, smelt, sole, trout, weak fish, white fish, barracuda etc.

FRIUTS AND VEGETABLES

All fresh edible fruits and vegetables are kosher, and all unprocessed grains and cereals are kosher. We must be inspired by the story of Daniel and his company, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, faithful Jews, who were not prepared to trade their Jewish identity for defiled Gentile culinary pleasure in the king’s court in Babylon. They were true to their GOD and observed His dietary Laws even in the land of captivity. They would rather eat vegetables than eat defiled food to please king Nebuchadnezzer and his courtiers. Here is their story: “And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes; Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans. And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king. Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego. But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs. And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? Then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king. Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants. So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days. And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat. Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse” (Dan. 1:3-16). Amazing Indeed! Because they were obedient, they found favour in the sight of GOD and man. How about you and I?

CREEPING CREATURES

It is written in the Law of GOD as follows: “All fowls that creep, going upon all four, shall be an abomination unto you. Yet these may ye eat of every flying creeping thing that goeth upon all four, which have legs above their feet, to leap withal upon the earth; Even these of them ye may eat; the locust after his kind, and the bald locust after his kind, and the beetle after his kind, and the grasshopper after his kind. But all other flying creeping things, which have four feet, shall be an abomination unto you. And for these ye shall be unclean: whosoever toucheth the carcase of them shall be unclean until the even. And whosoever beareth ought of the carcase of them shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even. The carcases of every beast which divideth the hoof, and is not clovenfooted, nor cheweth the cud, are unclean unto you: every one that toucheth them shall be unclean. And whatsoever goeth upon his paws, among all manner of beasts that go on all four, those are unclean unto you: whoso toucheth their carcase shall be unclean until the even. And he that beareth the carcase of them shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even: they are unclean unto you. These also shall be unclean unto you among the creeping things that creep upon the earth; the weasel, and the mouse, and the tortoise after his kind, And the ferret, and the chameleon, and the lizard, and the snail, and the mole. These are unclean to you among all that creep: whosoever doth touch them, when they be dead, shall be unclean until the even. And upon whatsoever any of them, when they are dead, doth fall, it shall be unclean; whether it be any vessel of wood, or raiment, or skin, or sack, whatsoever vessel it be, wherein any work is done, it must be put into water, and it shall be unclean until the even; so it shall be cleansed. And every earthen vessel, whereinto any of them falleth, whatsoever is in it shall be unclean; and ye shall break it. Of all meat which may be eaten, that on which such water cometh shall be unclean: and all drink that may be drunk in every such vessel shall be unclean. And everything whereupon any part of their carcase falleth shall be unclean; whether it be oven, or ranges for pots, they shall be broken down: for they are unclean, and shall be unclean unto you. Nevertheless a fountain or pit, wherein there is plenty of water, shall be clean: but that which toucheth their carcase shall be unclean. And if any part of their carcase fall upon any sowing seed which is to be sown, it shall be clean. But if any water be put upon the seed, and any part of their carcase fall thereon, it shall be unclean unto you. And if any beast, of which ye may eat, die; he that toucheth the carcase thereof shall be unclean until the even. And he that eateth of the carcase of it shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even: he also that beareth the carcase of it shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even. And every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth shall be an abomination; it shall not be eaten. Whatsoever goeth upon the belly, and whatsoever goeth upon all four, or whatsoever hath more feet among all creeping things that creep upon the earth, them ye shall not eat; for they are an abomination. Ye shall not make yourselves abominable with any creeping thing that creepeth, neither shall ye make yourselves unclean with them, that ye should be defiled thereby. For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. For I am the LORD that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy. This is the law of the beasts, and of the fowl, and of every living creature that moveth in the waters, and of every creature that creepeth upon the earth: To make a difference between the unclean and the clean, and between the beast that may be eaten and the beast that may not be eaten” (Lev. 11:21-47).

John the immerser (Baptist?) did eat locust, for the text says: “And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey” (Mk. 1:6). See also Matt. 3:4.

YAHSHUA AND THE DIETARY LAWS

The position of latter day Christendom regarding GOD’s dietary Laws is that believers in Yahshua have no need for these Laws, and that a believer is at liberty to eat whatever he desires to eat. They rule that the dietary Laws are Old Testament, Mosaic, nailed to the cross and have been passed away.

This position is largely informed by Christendom’s interpretation of the statement of Yahshua as recorded in the gospels thus: “And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man. Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying? But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable. And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding? Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies” (Matt. 15:10-11, 16-19).

Mark’s version reads thus: “And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand: There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man. If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable. And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him; Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats? And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man” (Mk. 7:14-23).

The flawed interpretation of these statements of Yahshua as giving a clean bill of health to everything created, and so, kosher for consumption, arises from its unfortunate grace, no-law salvation disposition. It is a latter day somersault from the Apostolic strict tradition of adherence to GOD’s dietary Laws. They are therefore, quick to take Yahshua’s statements out of the very context in which he made them and from which the statements derive colour. The context of Yahshua’s statements clearly had nothing to do with GOD’s dietary Laws which clearly states: “This is the law of the beasts, and of the fowl, and of every living creature that moveth in the waters, and of every creature that creepeth upon the earth: To make a difference between the unclean and the clean, and between the beast that may be eaten and the beast that may not be eaten” (Lev. 11:46-47).

The Almighty GOD is a holy GOD. He does not change, as is Yahshua who is His express image. The text says: “For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed” (Mal. 3:6). The text also says: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (Jas. 1:17). The text further says: “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever” (Heb. 13:8).

“Holiness” is the identity of the Almighty GOD. Everything of and about Him is Holy. His name is the Holy One of Israel (Blessed be He) (Isa. 43:3; 30:11; 17:7; Jer. 51:5). He has always demanded that those who accept Him as GOD must be holy because He is holy.

As noted earlier on, in giving the dietary Laws GOD Commanded very clearly: “Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God….I am the LORD your God, which have separated you from other people. Ye shall therefore put difference between clean beasts and unclean, and between unclean fowls and clean: and ye shall not make your souls abominable by beast, or by fowl, or by any manner of living thing that creepeth on the ground, which I have separated from you as unclean. And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the LORD am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine” (Lev. 20:7, 24-26). He had Commanded earlier: “Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy” (Lev. 19:2). And also: “For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. For I am the LORD that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy” (Lev. 11:44-45). He further Commanded: “And ye shall be holy men unto me: neither shall ye eat any flesh that is torn of beasts in the field; ye shall cast it to the dogs” (Ex. 22:31).

As also noted earlier on, it is clear that dietary Laws help man to develop the divine quality of holiness in GOD’s Covenant children, as well as foster the bond of holiness between GOD and His Covenant children. A Covenant child sets himself apart from the world to link himself to GOD.

The classification of animals as clean and unclean was by GOD Himself who created them and gave them their nature and features. As Noah was Commanded by GOD before the flood saying: “Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female: and of beasts that are not clean by two, the male and his female. Of fowls also of the air by sevens, the male and the female; to keep seed alive upon the face of all the earth” (Gen. 7:2-3). These Laws well predate Moses and the children of Israel. They are creation Laws. And so, it is stated even in the book of Revelation: “And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird” (Rev. 18:2).

Yahshua’s statements as reproduced above were only part of a broader narrative. It began with the Scribes (Law teachers) and Pharisees confronting Yahshua with the question: “Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?” (Mk. 7:5). And in Matt. 15:1-2, it is also recorded: “Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they wash not their hands when they eat bread.” The context was clearly eating of food with unwashed hands. And so to conclude his statements, Yahshua said: “These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man” (Matt. 15:20).

To take Yahshua’s statements made in another context as meaning the annulment of GOD’s dietary Laws is to take it to absurd levels. To say it the way it is, it is not only mischievous but also blasphemous to suggest that Yahshua annulled GOD’s holy Laws of diet. It seeks to make Yahshua a Minister of sin. GOD forbid! It is inconceivable that a holy and unchangeable GOD will rule one diet or the other as unholy and unclean yesterday and then turn around today and call it clean and holy. Again this is blasphemy. That is not the nature of a holy and unchangeable GOD whose words are pure words and who does not break His Covenant. The text says: “The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times” (Ps. 12:6).

The dietary Laws are part of the body of GOD’s Covenant Laws. They are part of the Statutes (Chukim) of GOD. Of the 613 Laws of GOD, the dietary Laws account for fifty. The all-knowing GOD does not break His Covenant or alter His Law for all eternity, just as He spoke concerning Yahshua in David: “My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips” (Ps. 89:34).

Yahshua declared early in his earthly ministry saying: “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:17-19). And also: “And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail” (Lk. 16:17). The Prophet Isaiah prophesied thus: “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever” (Isa. 40:8). See also 1 Pet. 1:25.

Since heaven and earth are still with us, Yahshua would have contradicted himself if by his statements regarding eating food with unwashed hands he meant that GOD’s holy Laws of diet have been done away with. GOD forbid!

To buttress my point further, Yahshua told the parable of the dragnet and said: “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth” (Matt. 13:47-50). Implicit in this parable is that there are clean fishes and there are unclean fishes. The unclean are unfit to be gathered into the vessel and are described in the parable as “bad.” How then could Yahshua be said to have given a clean bill of health to every fish?

THE DIETARY LAWS - THE APOSTLES OF YAHSHUA AND THE EARLY CHURCH

It must be realized that the Apostle Peter was part of the narrative on the question as to why Yahshua’s disciples ate with unwashed hands. Peter was Yahshua’s chief Apostle. Were Yahshua’s statements in Matt. 15 and Mk. 7 to have meant giving a clean bill of health to all animals and fowls, it follows that Yahshua would have left such an example for his disciples since they walked daily with him and ate the same food. Yahshua did not mean the blasphemy which latter day Christendom ascribe to him. Therefore, he left no such example.

Many years after Yahshua ascended to heaven, the Apostle Peter had an encounter with GOD in which he fell into a trance and was shown a sheet let down from heaven containing unclean animals and fowls and a voice thrice came to him saying: “Rise, Peter, kill and eat.” Peter protested and said: “Not so, LORD: For I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean” (Acts 10:14). Peter protested because that was not the example that Yahshua left for him and his fellow Apostles. While the Apostle Peter thought on the meaning of the vision, it dawned on him that the animals and fowls shown to him were only symbols and not literal or real animals. The animal symbols represented the Gentiles. The Jewish orientation always saw the Gentiles as unclean and uncircumcised people and would have nothing to do with them. But GOD told Peter: “What GOD hath cleansed, that call not thou common” (Acts 10:15). The spirit of GOD directed him to go with the men sent from Cornelius, a Gentile (Verses 19-20). Making reference to the vision at the home of Cornelius while he ministered the good news to him and members of his household, Peter said: “And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but GOD hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean” (Verse 28). The Apostle Peter did not say that GOD had shown him that all animals and fowls are now clean and permitted to be eaten.

Concerning the Gentiles, it was said by Peter: “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of GOD: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy” (1 Pet. 2:9-10).

Many false preachers claim that Yahshua cleansed all animals and fowls other than the pig because, in one of his many miracles, he drove devils which possessed two men, into a herd of swine, for the text says: “And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way. And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of GOD? Art thou come hither to torment us before the time? And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding. So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine. And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters” (Matt. 8:28-32).

Such preachers are satan’s agents who beguile unsuspecting GOD’s children, for the text says: “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light” (2 Cor. 11:13-14).

The ignorant should not be a teacher of the Word of GOD, for the text says: “My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation” (Jas. 3:1). Unfortunately, the vast majority of Christendom’s latter day preachers are false preachers and teachers as foretold earlier and many follow their pernicious ways, for the text says: “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of” (2 Pet. 2:1-2).

Historians report that the first century AD believers in Yahshua (called the Nazarean Sect or heretical Sect), observed GOD’s dietary Laws as other Jews. The likes of Hans Kuung and others so report. See Hans Kuung, “Christianity – Essence, History, and Future,” p. 71 (1994). The Apostle Paul made reference to this Sect when he said: “But this I do admit to you: I worship the God of our fathers in accordance with the Way (which they call a sect). I continue to believe everything that accords with the Torah and everything written in the Prophets” (Acts 24:14, Complete Jewish Bible, CJB).

The warning by the Apostles to Gentiles who turned to GOD to abstain from eating strangled meat and blood lend credence to historians’ report. The text says: “But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood” (Acts 15:20). Also 21:25.

GOD’S DIETARY LAWS AND THE LETTERS OF THE APOSTLE PAUL

The Apostle Peter warned early about the writings of the Apostle Paul whose Letters (Epistles) have remained a source of controversy to date. Peter warned: “And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness” (2 Pet. 3:15-17).

The warning of the Apostle Peter was timely, and ought to serve as a note of caution to believers in the name, and especially Preachers, to be careful how they interpret the Apostle Paul and his Letters especially when there appear to be a disharmony between his writings and the Laws of GOD and the teachings of Yahshua, the Messiah. But why would a lying preacher bother about seeming disharmony apparent in the Apostle’s Letters when the Preacher suffers the disease of ignorance of the Laws of GOD and the meaning and import of the teachings of Yahshua? Or when the Preacher is a victim of his own ignorance because he is quarter-baked and hates careful study of the Word of GOD, made worse by a disincentive to research into church history? A Preacher afflicted by the double disease of ignorance and a jaundiced mind-set of “No-Law” salvation can do no better. He lacks the capacity to see a red flag in the seeming or apparent disharmony.

Although the Apostle Peter was the first to take Yahshua’s message of salvation to the Gentiles when he ministered to Cornelius and his household who were Gentiles (Acts 10), the Apostle Paul was specifically called to take and spread the message among the Gentiles. He was the Apostle of the Gentiles, for the text says: “But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel” (Acts 9:15). See also 22:21. The text also says: “… that the gospel of the uncircumcision (Gentiles) was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision (Jews) was unto Peter” (Gal. 2:7). And speaking of himself, he said: “For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office” (Rom. 11:13).

The Apostle Paul knew the Laws of GOD and he observed them as a follower and servant of Yahshua. He spoke of himself thus: “Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee” (Phil. 3:5).

The Apostle Paul lived and operated in a very difficult era. He lived and operated in a world where the Gentiles had no notion of the true GOD, the GOD of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and Yahshua, His salvation. A world pervaded by idolatory, where the question was not “who is your GOD?” but “how many gods” do you have?” It was a polytheistic world. The Apostle’s challenge was how to penetrate the cast-iron curtain of the Gentile world with the message of GOD and His salvation, for as he told the Ephesians: “Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: … Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world” (Eph. 2:2, 11-12).

Paul’s mantra or motto became: “Win them, bring them in by hook or crook, for the end justifies the means.” The text says: “For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner? And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? Whose damnation is just” (Rom. 3:7-8).

The Good News Translation (GNT) renders it thus: “But what if my untruths serves GOD’s glory by making His truth stand out more clearly? Why should I still be condemned as a sinner? Why not say, then, ‘Let us do evil so that good may come?’ Some people, indeed, have insulted me by accusing me of saying this very thing! They will be condemned as they should be” (Rom. 3:7-8, GNT). A very serious matter, indeed! Even as clear as Paul expressed his methods here, false and lying Christian preachers still deny that the Apostle Paul spoke lies to Gentiles, as his situation permitted, in order to bring them to GOD.

To the Corinthian Gentiles, the Apostle Paul wrote: “For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you. Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain” (1 Cor. 9:19-24). He also wrote: “But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile” (2 Cor. 12:16). The Good News Translation renders it thus: “You will agree, then, that I was not a burden to you. But someone will say that I was crafty, and trapped you with lies” (2 Cor. 12:16, GNT). To be “crafty” is to be skilled in deception, cunning, tricky, artful etc. “Guile” is the use of tricks to deceive someone, shrewdness as demonstrated by being skilled in deception, trickery, cunning etc.

In his effort to save some by all means, the Apostle Paul was an acrobat and sometimes turned somersault. He became Chameleonic and did not maintain consistent positions depending on what situation, audience, question or issue he was addressing at the relevant time, all for the gospel sake. He knew just what he was doing and was deliberate in style and approach.

To illustrate: To the Galatian Gentiles, Paul wrote: “Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace” (Gal. 5:2-4). To the Corinthians, he wrote: “Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God” (1 Cor. 7:19). And to the Romans, he wrote: “For there is no respect of persons with GOD. For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified” (Rom. 2:11-13).

The above statements, addressed to different audiences to meet different situations, seem irreconcilable and confusing. But he was deliberate. If one takes the Galatian statement in isolation, one comes away thinking that there is neither need for circumcision nor the keeping of the Laws of GOD. But then, to the Corinthians, he said that whether one is a Jew (Circumcision) or a Gentile (Uncircumcision), what is of importance is that one keeps the Commandments of GOD. And then, to the Romans, he makes clear that justification comes from obedience to the Laws of GOD. Amazing indeed!

In all these, the Apostle Paul’s style was not, as would be seen shortly, any different from the style of the Elders of the Sect in Jerusalem. Paul was always confident that a Gentile convert is able to stand as he continues his journey with GOD and the unvarnished truth is unraveled unto him every Shabbat.

This was consistent with what James and the other Apostles, including Peter, did, in order to resolve the dispute over whether Gentiles who turned to GOD must be circumcised, as a pre-condition, if they are to be saved. In resolving the problem, the Apostle James (Yahshua’s brother), had the last word when he said: “But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath day” (Acts 15:20-21).

Reference to Moses is reference to the Law, and as long as a Gentile convert attends Synagogue where the Law and the Prophets are customarily read every Shabbat, the scales will drop from his eyes. He will know the truth. The Apostles knew certainly that circumcision, physical and of the heart (spiritual) are an indispensable requirement for a Covenant child, but they advisedly did not wish to be unduly overbearing on the would-be Gentile converts as that would inhibit and slow down the conversion of the Gentiles. They were then asked to simply obey only a few prohibitions commonplace among the Gentiles, which were basic in true GOD worship. The text says: “Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem. But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and sat down. And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on. … For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every Sabbath day.…” (Acts 13:13-15, 27).

That was the scheme of the Apostle Paul. Given the above background, it becomes easy to interpret the Apostle Paul and to understand his Letters.

It was therefore, typical for the Apostle Paul to say such a thing as: “I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean” (Rom. 14:14). This statement is clearly one of the Apostle Paul’s many untruths (lies), told to address a situation among the Roman (Gentile) converts where some who were weak regarding eating certain unclean foods were being judged by others who kept kosher, as though the weak ones were unwanted among the people of GOD. In order not to run the risk of losing such weak converts after a difficult and daunting effort to bring them in, in the first place, Paul wrote to the congregation in the terms quoted above. Paul knew that the weak ones had not yet stood. We would recall what he said of himself: “To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak…” (1 Cor. 9:22).

Paul knew that they would stand in the process of time. He knew that GOD is able to make them stand when His spirit takes hold of them. He warned that nobody had the right to judge anyone. Hear him: “Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? To his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for GOD is able to make him stand” (Rom. 14:4). He had said earlier: “Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for GOD hath received him” (Rom. 14:1-3).

The irrefragable truth is that GOD has designated certain foods as unclean and unfit for His peoples’ consumption. We have shown that unclean foods make one unholy and abominable to GOD. We have shown that the dietary Laws are part and parcel of the 613 Laws of GOD and account for fifty of them. These laws are meant to last as long as we have heaven and earth (Matt.5: 18). They are meant to last forever.

In his Letter to the Colossians, the Apostle Paul wrote: “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the Sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ” (Col. 2:14-17).

The ignorant and lying Preachers understand Paul to be saying in the reproduced texts that the eternal Laws of GOD as respects diet, celebration of Shabbats, New Moons and other appointed Feasts of GOD have been nailed to the cross. Sad indeed. Anyway, we are here concerned with GOD’s dietary Laws. Suffice it, however, to say that the essence of all the laws of GOD is to be like Yahshua who is the unseen image of GOD who brought true knowledge of GOD to man, hence the saying: “Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ” (Col. 2:17).

Yahshua obeyed all the laws of GOD including the dietary laws in order to be fit as a lamb without blemish. He was the true lamb without blemish. The slightest infraction of GOD’s law, however little, is sin and causes blemish to the soul. The example of Yahshua was obedience and holiness. His chief apostle, Peter, would therefore, protest the voice urging him to rise, kill and eat what is unclean and defiling to the soul, until he understood that the meaning of his vision transcended the literal unclean animals.

To be like Yahshua is therefore, to obey all the laws of GOD in the very example of Yahshua. This is otherwise known as the “faith of Yahshua,” as it is said: “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of GOD, and the faith of Jesus” (Rev. 14:12).

The Apostle Paul admonished his son in the LORD, Timothy, as follows: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15).

That Yahshua’s death on the tree blotted out the handwriting of Ordinances that were against and contrary to the Gentiles, is beyond dispute. His death took away the enmity between the Jews and Gentiles. Gentiles are no longer strangers and aliens to the Commonwealth of Israel and to GOD’s Covenants of promise. Both now, have equal access to GOD, for the text says: “For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto GOD in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of GOD” (Eph. 2:14-19). Paul had before reminded the Gentiles of their estrangement when he said to the Ephesians: “Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without GOD in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ” (Eph. 2:11-13).

The Apostle Peter made an allusion to those Ordinances when he said to his Gentile audience: “Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but GOD hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean” (Acts 10:28). It was such Laws that segregated between the Jew and Gentile that Yahshua took out of the way and nailed to the tree. GOD’s desire to preserve a people for His name and give them a distinct identity in a world pervaded by idolatory was responsible for the permission of such laws, in the first place, as when the Scripture says: “Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee … Lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they go a whoring after their gods, and do sacrifice unto their gods, and one call thee, and thou eat of his sacrifice; And thou take of their daughters unto thy sons, and their daughters go a whoring after their gods, and make thy sons go a whoring after their gods” Ex. 34:12, 15-16). See also Ex. 23:32-33; Deut. 7:3-4; 1 Kgs. 11:2. It was not the same Laws, the smallest details of which Yahshua said, cannot be done away with as long as heaven and earth last (Matt. 5:18).

The diet Laws, as those of the Shabbat, New Moon, GOD’s appointed Feasts (holy days), are part of the entrenched Laws of GOD in His ladder of salvation and cannot be done away with. Indeed, the full meaning, reality and substance of these Laws is the kingdom of GOD where their observance lead and are fulfilled. Their observance in this world are a shadow of the real thing. Yahshua taught his disciples to say in prayer: “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” (Matt. 6:10).

As adumbrated above, the purpose of GOD’s Laws is to make GOD’s children to conform to the image (body) of Yahshua. The text says: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love GOD, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren” (Rom. 8:28-29). The text also says: “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth” (Rom. 10:4). The text further says: “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith” (Gal. 3:24).

It is inconceivable that GOD will require man to keep His Law in abeyance until His kingdom comes where man will keep them. There is no such thing as a suspension of the keeping of GOD’s Laws until the His kingdom comes. In truth, it is the keeping of the Laws on earth that is man’s passport to GOD’s kingdom. What about the prophecy which says: “For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain. And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD. And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh” (Isa. 66:22-24). And Yahshua said: “And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of GOD with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched” (Mk. 9:43-48).

The unholy has no part in the kingdom of GOD because he is abominable in the sight of GOD. The text says: “Blessed are they that do his Commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie” (Rev. 22:14-15). The text also says: “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death…. And there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life” (Rev. 21:8, 27).

One of the Apostle Paul’s co-workers in his missionary work in Ephesus was Epaphras, who is a native of Colossae, which lies 192 kilometres (120 miles) east of Ephesus. Paul sent Epaphras back to his home region where he preached the gospel and established churches in Colossae and in the nearby towns of Laodicia and Hierapolis. The Colossian church met in the house of Philemon. The church in Laodicia met in the house of Nymphas, for the text says: “Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house” (Col. 4:15).

Epaphras reported to Paul, who was on appeal to Caesar in Rome and in prison, that the church in Colossae was under attack from certain persons whose teachings threatened to subvert the faith of the young believers in Colossae. Paul then wrote a personal Letter (Epistle) to strengthen them in the faith. Paul wrote from prison (Philemon 1:22). He sent the Letter, along with the Letters (Epistles) to Philemon and to the Ephesians with Tychicus, accompanied by Onesimus,, for the text says: “All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord” (Col. 4:7). The text also says: “I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds: Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me: Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels” (Philemon 1:10-12).

Research confirms that there were Jews in Colossae who taught the traditional form of Judaism with the addition of their own special interest in spiritual experiences, in particular, heavenly visions of angelic worship. They emphasized mystical emphasis within Judaism. History tells us that many thousands of Jews lived in the region of Colossae. Their ancestors moved there more than two centuries earlier, from Babylonia. They were descendants of Jews Nebuchadnezzer had led away into exile centuries earlier, for the text says: “And he carried away all Jerusalem, and all the princes, and all the mighty men of valour, even ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and smiths: none remained, save the poorest sort of the people of the land” (2 Kgs. 24:14).

These Jews were sent to the region of Colossae by the king as military colonists to pacify a rebellious area of his empire. By the Apostle Paul’s day, the Jewish Community in Collosae was large, well established, and prosperous. They claimed to worship the same GOD and believed in the same Old Testament Scriptures as the Colossian Congregation. They picked hole in the way in which the Colossian believers observed the dietary Laws, the Shabbat, New Moons and other appointed Feasts of GOD, hence the text in Paul’s Letter thus: “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the Sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ” (Col. 2:14-17).

By Paul’s Letter, they were being encouraged to be steadfast in the faith, however imperfect their observances, and not allow themselves to be deceived through philosophy, for the text says: “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ” (Col. 2:8). Again, it was convenient for Paul to put it the way he saw fit knowing that growth and perfection in the things of GOD is a process and only a function of time.

The Apostle Paul himself was Torah observant and obeyed GOD’s Laws. It was his custom, as was written concerning Yahshua, to observe the Shabbat, for the text says: “Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three Sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures” (Acts 17:1-2). See also Acts 13:5, 14-15, 42-44; 16:13; 18:4; 9:20; 14:1; 19:8.

It had been written of Yahshua thus: “And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up for to read” (Lk. 4:16).

Paul also observed GOD’s appointed Feasts, for the text says: “But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if GOD will. And he sailed from Ephesus” (Acts 18:21). And also: “For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost” (Acts 20:16). See also Acts 27:9.

A Torah observant Apostle like Paul who understood that obedience to GOD’s eternal Laws is a desideratum for eternal salvation, cannot be seen to advice Gentile converts to abandon the very Laws of GOD for which they were grafted into the Jewish olive tree to obey, for their salvation. Such an unfortunate suggestion by Christendom’s too numerous false preachers is not only mischievous, but also exposes the depth of their ignorance of the Word of GOD and Church history. Amazingly, even the false preachers who are victims of the same malaise of ignorance also accuse others of ignorance of the word of GOD. They reference the text in the book of Hosea where it is stated: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge ….” (Hos. 4:6).

Interestingly, the complete text of the verse says: “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 will also forget thy children” (Hos. 4:6). And the opening text of Hosea chapter 4 says: “Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of GOD in the land. By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood. Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish, with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven; yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away. Yet let no man strive, nor reprove another: for thy people are as they that strive with the priest. Therefore shalt thou fall in the day, and the prophet also shall fall with thee in the night, and I will destroy thy mother” (Hos. 4:1-5).

As is often the trademark of false preachers, they take only a little portion of a text out of context and assign their own meaning to it. The law of GOD is “knowledge.” It is also “wisdom” and “understanding.” So it is said: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Prov. 1:7). And: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding” (Prov. 9:10).

Any honest interpreter can see clearly that the text is about abandonment of the Law of GOD by the people and the priests. A preacher who preaches a perverted version of grace and that GOD’s laws are Old Testament and have been passed away or nailed to the cross, is an ignoramus. He is himself in the pool of ignorance. He has no knowledge and has no business preaching to anyone about ignorance. He is a blind leader of the blind, for the text says: “Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch” (Matt. 15:14).

GOD is one (Echad). He is GOD not only of the Jews but also of the Gentiles, for the text says: “Is He the GOD of the Jews only? Is He not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also” (Rom. 3:29). GOD operates on the principle of one Law for the Jew and the Gentile, for the text says: “One ordinance shall be both for you of the congregation, and also for the stranger that sojourneth with you, an ordinance forever in your generations: as ye are, so shall the stranger be before the LORD. One law and one manner shall be for you, and for the stranger that sojourneth with you” (Num. 15:15-16). And also: “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Gal. 3:27-29). See also Ex. 12:49; Num 9:14; 15:29 etc. See further Jn. 10:16; 17:20-21; Rom. 10:12; 1Cor. 12:13; Gal. 5:6; Eph. 2:14-16; 4:4, 15; Col 3:11.

We find the following record in the Letter (Epistle) of the Apostle Paul to Timothy: “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which GOD hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of GOD is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of GOD and prayer” (1 Tim. 4:1-5).

We have shown that the dietary Laws are part and parcel of the Covenantal 613 Laws of GOD. There is only one lawgiver, for the text says: “For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; He will save us” (Isa. 33:22). The text also says: “There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?” (Jas. 4:12).

The GOD of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is that Lawgiver. The dietary Law is His doctrine. It is not the doctrine of devils. Observance of GOD’s dietary Laws does not amount to giving heed to seducing spirits.

We have shown that the Apostles of Yahshua and the early church observed the dietary Laws because they are the Laws of GOD and obedience to them fostered the bond of holiness between them and the holy GOD whose Law clearly says that consumption of unclean foods makes people abominable to GOD.

In the entire gamut of GOD’s 613 Laws, there is not one Law which prohibits marriage. The Apostle Paul’s reference to marriage can therefore, not be a reference to GOD’s Laws. If anything, it is a foreshadowing and foretelling of celibacy practiced by the Catholic church whereby its priests are forbidden to marry.

In truth, every creature of GOD is good because GOD created them and they serve His purposes, even where such purposes confound man, for there is no unrighteousness in the Perfect GOD. The text says: “To shew that the LORD is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him” (Ps. 92:15). It says: “The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his work” (Ps. 145:17). The text also says: “Wherefore now let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts” (2 Chron. 19:7). And the text further says: “And GOD saw every thing that He had made, and, behold, it was very good….” (Gen. 1:31). The text says: “Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself; That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish” (Isa. 44:24-25).

Yet the same GOD who created them designated some as clean and fit for consumption by the man He created, and others as unclean and unfit for consumption. Man is GOD’s creation and only the Creator knows what is good for man’s consumption. The text says: “Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being His counsellor hath taught Him? With whom took He counsel, and who instructed Him, and taught Him in the path of judgment, and taught Him knowledge, and shewed to Him the way of understanding?” (Isa. 40:13-14). And as it is said: “Shall any teach GOD knowledge? Seeing He judgeth those that are high” (Job. 21:22). And it is also said: “Behold, GOD exalteth by His power: who teacheth like Him? Who hath enjoined Him His way? Or who can say, Thou hast wrought iniquity?” (Job. 36:22-23).

Timothy’s mother was a Jewess, and his father, a Greek, for the text says: “Then

came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek” (Acts 16:1). Timothy was with the Apostle Paul in his missionary journeys and they suffered persecution together. He was Paul’s son in the Lord. In his Epistle (Letter) to the Corinthians, Paul said of Timothy: “For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church” (1 Cor. 4:17). He also said: “Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do” (1 Cor. 16:10).

Timothy was a co-preacher with Paul, for the text says: “For the Son of GOD, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea” (2 Cor. 1:19). And we read further: “But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's. But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel” (Phil. 2:19-22). We also read: “And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of GOD, and our fellow labourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith” (1 Thess. 3:2). And we further read: “Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you” (Rom. 16:21).

In 2 Cor. 1:8-10, the Apostle Paul describes a time of violent persecution in Asia (the location of Ephesus) in which he and Timothy felt as if the sentence of death had been passed on them, for the text says: “For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in GOD which raiseth the dead: Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us.”

The Apostle Paul’s Epistle to Timothy and the exhortations and instructions therein were meant to be transmitted to the Gentile world. As two like-minded persons, co-labourers and in the relationship of son and father, Timothy was as good as Paul, in the ministry to the Gentiles, minded to bring to GOD, as many of them as are possible by hook or crook (all means).

Paul’s statement, “For every creature of GOD is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of GOD and prayer,” is a repetition of one of his (Paul’s) convenient lies, told for the gospel’s sake. He had told a lie to the same effect to the Roman Gentiles, when he said: “I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean” (Rom. 14:14).

This is just as he wrote to Titus: “Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled” (Tit. 1:15). Titus was also Paul’s son in the Lord, and a co-labourer in GOD’s vineyard. He too was like-minded with Paul. The text says: “To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from GOD the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour” (Titus 1:4). It also says: “Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ” (2 Cor. 8:23). The text further says: “I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? Walked we not in the same spirit? Walked we not in the same steps?” (2 Cor. 12:18).

We have already shown how that statement is a lie, being out of tune and inconsistent with the Law of GOD and the words of Yahshua who said: “For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled” (matt. 5:18). See also Lk. 16:17. It is a convenient lie, and all it seeks to achieve is to bring to GOD, a Gentile who naturally has no inhibition towards diet, keep such a Gentile and have GOD have him stand (give him understanding) in the new faith as he attends Synagogue every Shabbat and hears Moses (the Law) and the Prophets read and preached. Then GOD’s unvarnished truth would dawn on him. The scales would fall from his eyes.

Put another way, the Apostle Paul was, in those words said to Timothy and Titus, simply instructing them to deploy all means necessary to bring Gentiles to GOD as he (Paul) did.

CONCLUSION

To be condemned to eat for food anything designated by GOD as unclean and defiled is a mark of punishment from GOD. It shows that one is detestable to GOD, just as GOD said to disobedient Israel: “Rejoice not, O Israel, for joy, as other people: for thou hast gone a whoring from thy GOD, thou hast loved a reward upon every cornfloor. The floor and the winepress shall not feed them, and the new wine shall fail in her. They shall not dwell in the LORD'S land; but Ephraim shall return to Egypt, and they shall eat unclean things in Assyria” (Hos. 9:1-3).

And it is said: “And the LORD said, Even thus shall the children of Israel eat their defiled bread among the Gentiles, whither I will drive them” (Ezek. 4:13).

In summation, obedience to GOD’s dietary Laws is ultimately for the good and well-being of man. It sets him apart as holy and acceptable unto GOD. The Laws are not to be understood as an attempt to prevent him from partaking of culinary pleasure. If anything, it is an affirmation of GOD’s Covenant. The one who keeps kosher and obeys all aspects of GOD’s Covenant Laws is one who understands the sublime task of realizing the highest ideal of GOD’s Covenant children to lead mundane life in such a manner as would merit the status of belonging to a kingdom of Priests and a holy nation, as it is written: “Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel” (Ex. 19:5-6); and as it is said: “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy” (1 Pet. 2:9-10).

It is said: “Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required. Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart” (Ps. 40:6-8). See also Heb. 10:5. To do the will of GOD (that is, to obey His laws) (Matt. 7:21-23) is what GOD requires of man. If the Law of GOD is not man’s delight, his sacrifices and offerings are meaningless.

By The Apostle (Justice) Paul Madubochi

Note: This message contains sacred literature. Please do not deface or discard