Kosher? Not Kosher?

by Sipos Richard | Nov 24, 2024 | Law & Mercy, New Testament

We are frequently contacted by believers who ask us a variety of questions about the Commandments, including, and increasingly, about the validity of the “kashrut” laws found in the Old Testament.

Do the food prohibitions, especially those regarding meats as stated in the Torah, still apply to us today under the New Covenant? Do Yeshua and Paul truly release us from the old laws?

Regarding the prohibition of eating meat from dead or stoned animals, as well as the commandment to “not cook a kid in its mother’s milk,” several articles and videos have already been published on our site: Defense of the animals, Do not eat torn animal, Do not eat the meat of the stoned animal.
Here, we will focus on the topic of meats that are prohibited regardless of how the animal was slaughtered. This includes non-ruminant animals without cloven hooves, fish without scales or fins, reptiles, insects, and other creatures considered unclean. We will also briefly touch on the reasons behind the prohibition of certain fats and their spiritual significance within the Body of the Messiah.

If these questions concern you, this teaching is designed to provide clarity.

But before diving into the laws and regulations, the central question—our first answer—is this:

What about your Covenant with Yeshua?

Is the Spirit of the Messiah actively dwelling and working within you? Are you living under the guidance of Ruach HaKodesh, and do the fruits of the Spirit manifest in your life?

The teaching and interpretation of the law are directed solely at those who are in covenant with the Messiah Yahushua through water immersion and who have also received the baptism of the Spirit. Only then can the law truly begin to unfold and operate within you, in alignment with the will of the Messiah. If these foundational conditions are not met, the focus of any dialogue or ministry must shift to much more fundamental issues than dietary laws or other decrees.

It is a serious error to teach the law—or anything else—to those who are unaware of the essence of the second baptism: the experience of being filled with the Holy Spirit. At best, they may have a theoretical understanding, or perhaps they once experienced the Spirit’s guidance but, for some reason, no longer do. In such cases, they might turn to the written law as a substitute, hoping to find some form of guidance or to numb the pain of spiritual disconnection.

Our teachings on the Commandments are never about prescribing what one should or should not do in specific situations. Instead, they testify to how the Living Spirit of the Messiah has fulfilled these Commandments within us. They demonstrate how the Commandments remain valid in this era of Grace and how the Messiah, through His Spirit, brings them to life and makes them work in and through us.

We share how the Commandments have become living and active within our souls and spirits, forming an integral part of our renewed nature. We always stress that the Commandments can and must be understood solely through spiritual rebirth and the transformative work of the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. The law remains valid and essential, yet it is no longer the priority.

Observing and fulfilling the Law is not a prerequisite for receiving the Spirit of Yahushua; rather, it is a natural outcome of His presence in us. It is no longer we who obey the Law through our own efforts, but Ruach HaKodesh who fulfills it in and through us. As the Spirit works within us, the Commandments begin to manifest naturally, and we gradually become aware of their significance as they take root in our hearts. Only then does the knowledge of the Commandments become truly compelling and meaningful. Our curiosity about them should deepen as we grow in spiritual maturity, allowing them to unfold fully within us.

Discipleship is a journey with specific, unavoidable steps that must be taken in the proper order and not skipped or reversed. Paul himself urges the apostles not to overburden new disciples with teachings or practices beyond their capacity to bear. As older, more mature believers, we must exercise discernment in what we share and ensure that our teachings align with the spiritual maturity of our audience.

Just as a kindergarten child is not immediately taught to read, write, or solve arithmetic problems, a newly baptized believer does not need to dive into the deeper teachings of Moses. At least not immediately. For someone who has just come up from the waters of baptism, Noah’s example is sufficient as they navigate their own “post-flood” renewal.

In this early stage, the five basic post-flood laws—which Paul frequently references—are more than enough. These universal principles include abstaining from blood, avoiding meat from strangled animals, refraining from idolatry, resisting blasphemy, maintaining sexual purity, and avoiding murder. These foundational rules provide a clear and manageable starting point for new believers as they begin their walk of faith.

Moses is a heavier spiritual food, while the child requires milk!

In doing so, Paul did not cancel or withdraw the decrees of Moses, but rather put them back to their proper place. While he does not elaborate extensively, it is evident that he views the Mosaic laws as important and fully valid in Christ, to the extent that they are connected to the spiritual maturity of the disciple. It cannot be emphasized enough: no one came to abolish the Commandments, not even Paul, despite the attempts of many Christians to convince themselves and the whole world of the opposite.

We must clarify from the start that, as surprising as it may sound, our goal is not to lead you back to the original Commandments, Feasts, and the original Names – in other words, to the roots given to the Jews, from which most Jews themselves have long since deviated to a very significant extent!

NO! Our primary goal is to make you born again! And if you already are, then fill yourself with the Holy Spirit! And if that has already happened, then allow Ruach HaKodesh to work His fruits and gifts in and through you!

Our goal is to help each person move forward from where they’ve been stuck, often for years. And it is by working in this way that we, too, continue to progress on our own narrow path of discipleship.

Once the goal has been achieved, let Ruach HaKodesh work in you at its own pace and will, so that you receive all the spiritual gifts and weapons that have been promised to us. Only then can we say that everything I’ve just mentioned becomes an integral and inseparable part of the process of sanctification: the continuous and progressive restoration of the original Commandments, Feasts, and Names in our minds and hearts. When we reach the point of feeling an inner need to obey them—with joy and good humor, not out of fear, obligation, conformity, or tradition, and certainly not to earn any reward—then, having already earned the promise of the Crown of Life, EVERYTHING has already been given to us.

We must reject any discussions regarding the commandments or the Scriptures with those who clearly do not seek obedience or spiritual growth, but rather seek to justify themselves by their actions or by their knowledge of the laws and decrees. Furthermore, it is utterly pointless to engage with those who reject or attempt to explain away—using the Word of Elohim as support—why the Holy Spirit and His gifts do not work in them. (They often cite Paul’s words, where he says that the Spirit gives specific gifts to certain people and not to others, etc. However, in the book of Acts, we see that all disciples received certain basic gifts from the outset, without exception, such as the gift of tongues—let’s say personal tongues, since there are indeed several types of tongues, and Paul did assuredly not refer tho this specific and basic one).

Those who do not primarily aspire to the way of life lived by the first disciples in the Acts of the Apostles clearly demonstrate that they are not being guided by the Holy Spirit from within, but rather by the religious spirit of the Pharisees and scribes—the demon of theology, so to speak. We do not wish to teach or discuss the Law of the Torah with such individuals, as we do not want to contribute further to their spiritual downfall. Therefore, I invite anyone who listens to us or reads our teachings merely for the purpose of acquiring knowledge, rather than with the intent of sealing their Covenant with Yeshua, filling themselves with His Spirit, and seeking spiritual renewal, to immediately seek another ministry and burden them with their futile questions. For everything such individuals would learn from me would remain in their minds and never reach their hearts, only worsening their situation for the day of judgment.
Just as King Saul valued sacrificial animals more than obedience to Yahuwah, those who today place more value on observing and studying the Law than on being Born Again and filled with the Holy Spirit will, sooner or later, lose their kingship—that is, their opportunity to receive the Crown of Life.

I am sorry to have to begin our study with such an unfriendly tone, but

when dealing with those who are fanatical about the dry letter of the law, we’d better speak in such a firm and crude manner.

To these ones, we recommend first and foremost all of our teachings that address the essential topics just mentioned, such as our texts and videos titled: The Gospel Decrypted: Discover the Deeper Message of Salvation and Redemption, Shavuot – Pentecost, The Acts of the Disciples, The Essence of the Law, Commandments in Yahushua HaMashiah?, Death penalty (where LIFE begins)

Indeed, our ministry is primarily focused on two very different directions. We deliver two completely opposite messages to two distinct types of believers and Christians. This is why, just as Paul is often accused of being contradictory, we too face similar accusations. Like him, we must convey messages to people at very different spiritual stages. Both sides hear both types of messages, but not all of our messages are intended for everyone. Our warnings, while sometimes seeming quite different, do not contradict each other but rather complement one another. When we find ourselves in the middle ground between two extremes, it is natural that both sides may misinterpret our words and respond in a hostile manner.

So who are these antagonistic Christians?

1. On the one hand, we have the heirs of what is usually called: Pentecostal Revivals. To them, it is not necessary to explain or discuss the importance and nature of the work of the Holy Spirit. The born again brothers and sisters that we meet on our journey come mainly from their ranks. Here people can be born again, but those who despite the deficiencies in the teachings and the mode of operation, nevertheless reach a certain spiritual maturity in these environments are much rarer. In these circles, the main problems are the following:
   The human and spiritual constraint of the operation of the Holy Spirit, the version that turns into madness, in a word: THE FALSE CHARISMATIC (which discourages the other party – which I will mention shortly – from allowing Ruach HaKodesh to act in them, because they are afraid of the counterfeit that they have seen here and which they do not want and reject it). Among these Pentecostals, the rejection and abandonment of the law is an integral part of their teachings and constitutes the pillar of their faith.
   
   
2. The other camp is made up of the rest of the believing masses. There are the followers of the traditional churches, but also those who have returned to the Old Testament, to the law and sometimes even to the original names, but who refuse to accept the functioning of Ruach HaKodesh which is the same today as it was then in the time of the first disciples. As I just described the problem, the reject the Holy Spirit often out of fear of what they saw in the opposing camp (those mentioned above) and reject the original forms of its functioning by justifying themselves by the words of Paul, which they interpret as they please and to their own loss.

The core message directed at both the first and second groups can be encapsulated in a single sentence with two distinct parts:

The Holy Spirit can only operate effectively and sustainably in alignment with the Law, while the Law can only be fulfilled through the active work of Ruach HaKodesh.

Where I perceive a false or forced understanding of the Holy Spirit, it becomes essential to strip away human distortions and refocus on the restoration of the Law. It must be conveyed that Yeshua is the Word made flesh—the Law made flesh. Therefore, His Spirit can only operate in accordance with the Two Fundamental Laws of Love: love for Elohim and love for our neighbor. These are further expanded upon by the Ten Commandments, which in turn are detailed in the 613 to 700 mitzvot, offering practical guidance on how to express love toward Elohim and others.
It is crucial to understand that as long as someone rejects the Law, the Holy Spirit cannot fully manifest or work within them. Over time, if such rejection persists, the Spirit may cease its work, wait, and eventually withdraw entirely as the individual’s rebellion becomes increasingly deliberate.
Let us not grieve the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 4:30
When we practice this kind of ministry, we are often labeled legalists and Pharisees.

When Christians focus solely on applying the Law through human effort—seeking perfection through works or out of fear of the Eternal, much like the approach of Muslims—we must make them envious through the testimony of our lives. We should demonstrate how Ruach HaKodesh works in and through us, revealing His power through speaking in tongues, prophecy, healings, deliverances, and all the fruits of the Spirit described in Galatians 5: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
They, on their part, often label us as false charismatics who collaborate with demonic forces.
They could also easily claim that we practice these things by the power of Beelzebub—just as our Master was accused by their spiritual forebears and leaders – the pharisees of those times.

In any case, everyone can decide for themselves what they are lacking and which side they are on!

Naturally, there is also a third group, a third audience that listens – and remains silent – and does not belong to any of the aforementioned camps. These are none other than the traditional Jews themselves.

After this brief reminder – this little introduction or warning – if you consider your Covenant to be firmly established and the Spirit of the Messiah to be the guiding force in your life, then let us now discuss how the laws of kashrut apply to us, born-again disciples, and how they should operate in the visible world within the Body of the Messiah.

Forbidden foods

Pork, ostrich, rabbit, fish without scales, shellfish, reptiles, and other creatures that are considered unclean are not outright forbidden, but I would say they are definitely worth avoiding.
As we know, Yeshua did not come to abolish the law or the prophets but to fulfill them. Before diving into the study of specific commandments, it’s essential to understand that the dietary laws still hold relevance. We are called to honor them insofar as they do not harm our neighbor or ourselves.

What do I mean by this?
I can harm others if, for example, I am invited into their home because they are thirsty for the Word of Elohim, seeking the Gospel, healing, or spiritual renewal, and they serve me a roast pig as the main course. They may have prepared this meal with love and hospitality, with the purest intentions of their heart. It might not have even crossed their mind that I avoid eating such meats. Since they do not yet have the Spirit of the Messiah within them—who would eventually address this matter in its proper time—this habit of eating such food is perfectly natural for them.

In such a case, if I refuse their hospitality, my hosts could see it as an insult, or at the very least feel saddened. Worse still, I might inadvertently create a sense of guilt in them, which could either turn them off from the entire gospel message or push them toward becoming mere religious legalists rather than born-again disciples. By doing so, I would destroy the potential effectiveness of my ministry, showing that food restrictions are more important than the Good News Yeshua came to proclaim.
In a situation like this, I would temporarily set aside my good biblical habits. Even if I am not a fan of the food in question, I would make an effort to eat it—not for diplomatic reasons, but out of charity. Because indeed,

the Law of Life always prevails over all other commandments

In such extreme situations, preserving life takes precedence over any dietary restrictions. The Torah itself emphasizes the sanctity of life above all else, which is why Jewish rabbis during the Holocaust permitted people to eat anything necessary to survive—be it pork, mice, or rats. The priority was to ensure that individuals and their loved ones could sustain their lives, even if it meant setting aside dietary laws temporarily.

It is important to clarify that this discussion pertains to the laws of kashrut as they are presented in the Torah—the original Commandments given by Elohim through Moses. These laws are distinct from the additional regulations found in rabbinical texts such as the Talmuds, Mishnahs, or Shulchan Aruch. These later writings often impose human interpretations that distort or add to the original intent of the Commandments, lengthening them unnecessarily and thereby corrupting their essence.

For further exploration of these topics, I recommend referring to my teachings: Defense of the animals and Judaism: The Lifebuoy or a Deadly Poison? These delve deeper into the original laws versus their later human distortions, shedding light on how we can honor Elohim’s commandments without falling into the traps of man-made traditions.

However, regarding the harm that legalism can cause, there is another scenario, opposite to the earlier example, which is much less common but that I personally witnessed not long ago. In this case, servants who were clearly born again and filled with the Holy Spirit, but who had not yet accepted the validity of the Commandments, welcomed a woman seeking baptism. This woman had a religious history that included time spent in strongly legalistic pseudo-Christian and pseudo-messianic sects, where abstinence from certain foods was rigidly enforced under threat of exclusion.

She was visibly in need of deliverance, as the spirit of religiosity held her firmly captive. Unfortunately, it never crossed the minds of these born-again—but clearly immature, if not outright foolish—servants that celebrating and sealing this woman’s baptism and Covenant with the Messiah by eating a good pork stew might not be the wisest or most sensitive choice. Yet, that was exactly what they had decided to prepare for her, having already purchased the ingredients for the occasion.

And unfortunately, what should not have happened, naturally did. When the woman politely declined their “delicious” meal—without leaving immediately—these so-called “servants,” instead of recognizing their mistake, had the audacity to tell her that there would be no other food available, whether she liked it or not. They even went as far as accusing her of being a Pharisee, a legalist, and demon-possessed. Unsurprisingly, the woman left shortly afterward. As a result, her Covenant with Yeshua was not sealed—at least, not at that time.

This woman was indeed under demonic influence (at least one), but instead of casting it out, these individuals chose to focus on their little barbecue. They roasted the pig, not the demon. By doing so, they employed the same tool of terror that her former legalistic pastors had used to keep her bound—but in its anti-legalistic form. They essentially exposed her to the opposite extreme of what she had been trying to escape. Who knows what became of her after that? Without her contact information, we were unable to follow up, continue the work, or guide her along the narrow path.

As for these so-called “servants,” we have no further knowledge of them, as we naturally cut ties with them after they rejected our ministry, dismissed our warnings, and refused to accept correction for their actions. Sadly, it appears they have continued in their misguided religious ways, spreading confusion and harm wherever they go. This excessive foolishness also raises the question of whether they were really born again people? I could not judge and I would not dare to do so, but what can be said is that such stubborn and obstinate “antifa” Christians (anti-Pharisees – anarchists – law-breakers) are – on the spiritual level – nothing less than vulgar murderers.

If we can speak of spiritual abortion, that’s precisely what happened here. Let’s hope the woman was eventually born again somewhere else, under better care.

I share this example to illustrate how ministries driven by human self-assumed wisdom, rather than complete submission to the Messiah and the guidance of His Spirit, can cause significant and often irreparable harm.

Now, returning to edible meats: According to the laws of the Torah, the animals permitted for consumption are:

• Mammals: Four-legged, ruminant, and cloven-hoofed animals (e.g., cows, sheep, and goats).
  Prohibited: Pigs (which have cloven hooves but do not chew the cud) and rabbits (which chew the cud but lack cloven hooves).
• Fish: Only fish with both fins and scales are permitted (e.g., carp, salmon).
  Prohibited: Sharks, eels, catfish, and similar species.
• Birds: Permitted birds are those that are not predators or scavengers (e.g., chickens, pigeons, quails).
  Prohibited: Birds of prey or scavengers, such as eagles, hawks, and crows.
• Insects: The only permitted insects are grasshoppers.
  Prohibited: All other insects, such as spiders and beetles.
• Reptiles and amphibians: These are entirely prohibited without exception, including snakes, lizards, and frogs.

In summary, the selection of edible animals was primarily based on principles of purity, holiness, and separation, which shaped the daily life of the people of Israel and their relationship with Elohim. In addition to the biological problems that these animals represent, which we will develop a little further below, this regulation also aims to separate us, to sanctify us from the customs of the pagan peoples among whom we are dispersed. These ordinances are detailed especially in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14.

Verses That Have Been Seriously Misinterpreted

The New Testament includes at least five passages that can be somewhat confusing regarding dietary laws. However, their true meaning differs significantly from the commonly accepted Christian interpretation. One of these passages contains a deliberately mistranslated phrase, seemingly with the intent to distort, dilute, and reject the Word and will of Elohim. This troubling phrase appears in several translations in Mark 7, specifically in the well-known passage about impurity from within:

1. After he had left the crowd and entered the house, his disciples asked him about this parable. “Are you so dull? ”he asked. “Don’t you see that nothing that enters a person from the outside can defile them? For it doesn’t go into their heart but into their stomach, and then out of the body.” (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods clean).

The original text explains that it is the toilet itself that cleanses the body of unclean food. In other words, the digestive system and its processes, along with the act of elimination, cleanse the body—not Yeshua!

This means that if unclean food accidentally enters your stomach due to unforeseen circumstances, obligation, or constraint, it will not lead to spiritual death. The body’s organs, particularly those involved in digestion, are designed to cleanse us of toxins, serving as key components of both the digestive and immune systems.

The translator not only completely misrepresents Yeshua’s intention but also inserts Yeshua as the subject in a context where the original text clearly refers to the stomach, the digestive organs, and the toilet as performing the work of physical cleansing. This distortion shifts the focus away from the clear and practical teaching of the Savior’s words.

Cursed be such a translation!

The concept of “secret places” encompasses septic tanks as well as the most intimate and impure parts of the human body. What kind of cursed spirit could confuse such things with the Most Holy, if not Satan himself? Everyone would be wise to open their Bible right now and examine how this passage is translated. If it is rendered incorrectly, I urge you—exceptionally—to take a pen and cross out this shameful sentence entirely. Better yet, replace your Bible with an earlier, more accurately translated version. For once, I wholeheartedly authorize and even encourage you to mark up and remove this mistranslated passage from your Bible!

The next problematic passage is found in 1 Corinthians chapter 10:

2. Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, for, “The earth is Yahuwah’s, and everything in it.” If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience. But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, both for the sake of the one who told you and for the sake of conscience. 1Corinthians 10:25-28

We must remember that we are in the Greek part of the Roman Empire, specifically in Corinth, at a Greek market, a butcher shop, or even a slaughterhouse. The focus here is clearly on the issue of meat offered to idols—therefore, to demons—rather than the animal it came from. The key point is not to worry about who did what with a particular food, as this poses no harm to us. If I am in Yahushua, I have nothing to fear! Serpents can bite me, I can be given poison to drink, fire can touch my hand—none of it can harm me as long as I am serving Him in His ministry.

The origin of a given food does not matter as long as those around you understand that you are unaware of where it came from. The rejection of such meat is not about potential harm but about making a statement of faith. By refusing to consume meat sacrificed to demons, we symbolically reject any visible manifestations of foreign spirituality. This act is a declaration of faith, not a health precaution.

It is also true that it is not what goes into the mouth that makes one impure. However, this verse in no way permits ignoring the Torah’s prohibitions regarding certain meats.

3. About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.” “Surely not, Yahuwah!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that Elohim has made clean.” This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven. Acts 10:9-16

It’s important to clarify that we are discussing Greece, not, for example, modern-day China and its Wuhan market—where the virus was reportedly said to have originated according to official sources. In that market, people buy and sell animal meat so disgusting for consumption that the mere thought of eating it could make a typical person feel nauseous. While Peter’s vision might evoke images of that infamous Chinese market, that is not what this passage is about.

Like it or not, not all parts of the Bible are meant to be interpreted literally. While most biblical messages are presented literally, there are also parables that are clearly symbolic or figurative. This passage is undoubtedly one of those rare exceptions.

The context of this verse is not about what types of meat can or cannot be eaten but rather about the issue within Judaism at the time, which did not regard Gentiles in a particularly favorable way, to put it mildly. In modern terms, a form of racism had developed among the Jews due to centuries of nearly uninterrupted persecution and rejection by others. This was further exacerbated by a misunderstanding of the concept of Election (as referenced in my article titled Chosen People? Yes, but what for?).

Even the first disciples were not completely free from such attitudes, at least at first. Through this powerful and startling vision, Elohim reveals that anyone purified by the Blood of the Lamb should never again be regarded as impure.

I want to stress: it’s NOBODY, not “nothing.” We’re talking about human beings here, not food, concepts, or music, for example.

So don’t hesitate to sit at the table with them and eat what they have prepared, even if they serve you salami sandwiches.

This parable served to gain acceptance of the new Gentile disciples into the hearts of the early Jewish disciples, who were not yet completely free of their xenophobia.
Furthermore, anyone who carries pagan spirits is indeed repugnant from a spiritual point of view. Thus, the analogy applies to any person or group of people infected by foreign idols, whether they are Greeks or even perverted Jews. It is up to us to pray and work so that these people will be purified in turn by the Blood of Yeshua.

4. The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which Elohim created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. For everything Elohim created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of Elohim and prayer. 1Timothy 4:1-5

Who dares to extend the foods that Elohim created and mentioned here to include all edible things in the world, ignoring the law revealed in the Torah!? The foods that Elohim created to be received with thanksgiving refer solely to those He has permitted us to consume according to His revelation in the Torah!

How could anyone believe that Paul would say something that goes against the Torah?

Consider instead which sects, churches, or heretics forbid marriage—for example, their own priests or even their “followers.” And where does the idea of no longer eating meat and becoming vegetarian come from? They claim that since Yeshua’s sacrifice, we are no longer allowed to eat meat because it can only come from sacrifices offered to Elohim. And since we are forbidden to offer sacrifices after the Crucifixion, they conclude that we must abstain from eating even the meats that the Torah otherwise permits.

Here Paul was addressing such false teachings. In their misguidance, they go far beyond mere overeating; this is only the surface of their much deeper spiritual errors. The Torah plainly states that meat may be slaughtered outside of sacrificial ceremonies: Nevertheless, you may slaughter your animals in any of your towns and eat as much of the meat as you want, as if it were gazelle or deer, according to the blessing Yahuwah your Elohim gives you. Deuteronomy 12:15

Remember what just have been read: “…to abstain from certain foods, which Elohim created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth“. He is speaking about the believers and thus what kind of truth should they know if not the Commandments that include which food to eat and which one to abstain from?

The following misconception arises in Timothy, again from the pen of Paul but in Colossians this time:

5. Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in the Messiah. Colossians 2:16-17

This is the situation I mentioned at the start of the article. Don’t scold someone who is newly born again just because they do something differently from you or differently from what the Torah teaches! If it comes from the sincerity of their childlike heart, let them do it! Otherwise, you risk discouraging them from continuing their journey as a disciple in faith. You might end up raising a rigid, indoctrinated, legalistic Pharisee who will never allow Ruach HaKodesh to guide them from within, or worse, pushing them back into the world they just left, leaving their new condition even worse than before.

Paul also conveys this idea in the following verse:
6. Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for Elohim has accepted them. Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for Yahuwah is able to make them stand. One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. Whoever regards one day as special does so to Yahuwah. Whoever eats meat does so to Yahuwah, for they give thanks to Elohim; and whoever abstains does so to Yahuwah and gives thanks to Elohim. Romans 14:1-6

Who are those who refrain from eating certain things? Those who are weak in faith—newborns! This is not about abolishing the Commandments but about teaching them at the right times and in the right contexts. For a deeper explanation, refer to my two teachings on Paul’s relationship with the law and its apparent contradictions.
Paul and the Law 1, and Paul and the Law 2

Here are some examples of verses that are often deliberately misinterpreted, misused, and cause many to stumble—just as Peter warned us about the words of his fellow servant Paul, which are frequently difficult to understand and which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction. 2 Peter 3:16

“Koshering” Yourself

If there are certain forbidden foods you love and continue to eat, and you can’t imagine living without them, place the matter on Elohim’s altar in full faith. Ask Him to remove the desire from you according to His Will. This principle applies to every aspect of life, not just food, but also to all our habits. Each person must personally identify the things in their life that could pose a potential risk of idolatry.

Here also it is important to remember that it is strongly discouraged to try to force yourself to give up anything in a human way and out of a desire to satisfy the Commandments.

Don’t force yourself to do anything until Yeshua Himself sets you free from it

The goal isn’t endless abstinence but true freedom—freedom from sin and even from the undesirable thoughts themselves, as Yeshua promised in Matthew 5:28. Once you are free, you must stand firm and resist the temptations that may linger for a while, trying to pull you back.

It’s crucial to first recognize the differences, contradictions, and incompatibilities between your current lifestyle and the will of Elohim.

And this is where the Law comes in: “I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law.” Romans 7:7

If something feels natural to you but is forbidden by the Torah, then there’s an issue that needs attention. In such cases, take it to prayer and ask what should become of it and whether the time has come to address it. Often, we focus on something within ourselves that doesn’t function as we would like, without realizing there may be a bigger, more immediate obstacle we need to identify and overcome first. The order of addressing these issues is crucial. Satan may whisper to you to focus on food issues when you may still have unresolved problems of hatred and lack of love in your heart, in order to distract your attention from them.

If the law judges you on a specific point, repentance and deliverance work just as they did when you were first delivered from the world—from the chains that held you most captive—and became a new creation.
Sanctification is a process. Over time, even the smaller, hidden details must rise to the surface to be purified by the Spirit of Yeshua, perfecting us for the Day when we are fully united with Him.

May Ruach HaKodesh give you the clarity to recognize these things and the desire to be freed from them. Then, ask that the blood of Yeshua cleanse you completely and permanently.

If you are born again, this is no longer about casting out a demon but about renewing your soul and your conscience.

May the High Priest of the order of Melchizedek, Yahushua, carry out His sacrificial ministry within our own temples—our hearts. Let us bring all our pigs, rabbits, movies, music, human relationships, and habits, and lay them on the Altar of the Heavenly Temple so that Yahushua may purge us of everything unclean or impure, removing it even from our thoughts. May everything we love that He despises become something we find repulsive as well.

Thus, we rid ourselves of the remaining impurities, becoming more and more sanctified.

This could have been the end of this article, but in what follows, I would like to talk a little more about the reasons known or supposed according to my vision of things concerning the prohibition of certain species of animals as well as their fats.

The Pork: Secrets Revealed

Many have wondered—especially when it comes to pigs—why this animal is included on the forbidden list. It’s immediately clear to most people that pigs are among the most neglected and filthy animals in the world, making it logical to avoid them.

However, in recent decades, modern science has provided even more specific insights into the dangers of consuming pork. Beyond their filthy habits and tendency to eat anything, pigs have a digestive system that is three times shorter than that of cattle. By contrast, oxen and cows are much more selective, consuming only grasses. Additionally, cattle ruminate, which means they chew their food twice before it undergoes final digestion—a process that, according to the Torah, is a key criterion for an animal to be considered pure.

Doctors and dieticians also strongly advise against consuming pork, not only because it is high in fat, which raises cholesterol levels and increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, but also

because its toxin content is significantly higher than that of most animals

It’s that simple!

Well, if you are able to follow the advice of men: secular doctors and atheist coaches of all kinds, then how much more is it worth listening to and following the Word of our Creator, even if these may sometimes seem incomprehensible? There is no doubt that if they come from the Father, these directives serve our best well-being—even if for the moment we do not always understand their meaning. Besides, it is useless to always want to know everything about everything. Do we not have enough confidence in the fact that

the Creator is best placed in the world to decide what is beneficial or not for His own creature?

Do we not have enough faith, and especially wisdom, to recognize that if certain foods were not recommended for the Jews of antiquity, this likely still applies to us today? Or do we imagine ourselves to be healthier and more resilient than those “poor souls” of antiquity, just as we often—mistakenly—regard ourselves as intellectually and cerebrally superior to them, when the reality is quite the opposite?
What image do we have of the Almighty? Would Elohim change His mind constantly, swayed by moods or weather? Who do we take Him for, once again?
Yes indeed, we have the promise of being spared from snake bites and scorpion stings, but woe to those who dare to tempt Yahuwah or abuse the powers granted by the Father, just as Satan tried to tempt Yeshua in the desert.

Our earthly fathers and mothers would never have given us snakes or stones when we asked for bread, would they? If they, as humans, desired only what was good for us, how much more should we honor the Word of our Heavenly Father, ensuring that everything goes well for us while we are bound to our earthly bodies of flesh?

So, we do not always need to know everything about everything!

Have we not had enough time since then to reflect on the consequences of the sin committed by Eve and Adam? They, too, did not need to know what lay hidden behind the concept of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. And yet today, while humanity should fully understand the deep meaning of this mystery—having fallen into this sin—almost no one, not even many disciples, truly grasps its significance. I delve into what this famous Tree of Knowledge truly represented in my article: The Gospel Decrypted: Discover the Deeper Message of Salvation and Redemption

Our duty today, as it should have been for them at the time, is not to ask too many unnecessary questions but to obey unconditionally, even when everything within us resists. Like a soldier in an army or a child before his father.

Personally, I even believe that a potential reason for the prohibition on eating pork could be the cognitive abilities of the animal itself. Many people may not realize this, but alongside monkeys, donkeys, dogs, dolphins, and rats, pigs are among the most intelligent animals in the world. Perhaps this sets them apart—this time in a positive way—from other animals, and as a mark of respect for their abilities, Elohim asks us to spare them.

Pigs have been used for various purposes, such as guarding homes, assisting with mushroom picking—particularly truffles in forests—and even acting as scouts to detect swamps when people needed to flee from enemies. Why would we eat such a remarkably useful animal? Just like we don’t eat our dogs, although there are exceptions, as I mentioned earlier.

As I mentioned at the beginning, if there is no other option—if you find yourself in a critical situation financially or otherwise—do not be foolish. Eat what is available or what is more affordable on the supermarket shelves, even if it contains pork! And of course, pray that your financial situation is restored so that you don’t have to knowingly break the law for too long.

The main thing is to act according to the teaching and guidance of your Master. First, ensure that He is present and active within you. Is the Holy Spirit expressing Himself visibly and audibly through you, for example, through speaking in tongues or prophecy? Only then should you ask Him—above all Him—what, when, and how to do or not to do.

We could also consider the reasons for banning ostrich meat—one of my favorite meats as a child. It’s completely free of fat or cholesterol and, in many ways, seems like one of the healthiest options. Its prohibition may seem unnecessary at first glance. However, perhaps the ostrich’s size, strength, and speed make it unsuitable for domestication and captivity. Could it be that it is harder to manage and coexist with compared to smaller animals?

Keeping ostriches confined on a farm with other animals could lead to unforeseen problems. They might attack smaller animals or even eat chicken eggs. Due to their physical characteristics, ostriches likely tolerate captivity far less well. Other animals, such as goats, sheep, and cows, benefit from human protection and the care of sheepdogs, which safeguard them against predators. For these animals, enclosures provide security and ensure consistent grazing without the need to fend for themselves or manage migration, tasks they lack the cognitive and physical abilities to handle.

In contrast, ostriches likely suffer much more under human captivity, as their size and agility make them unsuited for limited living spaces. For animals that are faster, more agile, or capable of flight, captivity can be a form of cruelty. Domestic life disrupts their biological and psychological balance because it denies them the freedom and space they require to thrive according to the purpose for which they were created.

Elohim, who loves all His creatures, also cares about ensuring that animals have the best possible living conditions.

This is undoubtedly also the reasoning behind the ban on eating rabbit. Rabbits, regardless of breed, are generally very agile creatures capable of running at incredible speeds. Depriving them of this ability through captivity simply makes them unhappy, and over time, the animal becomes sick and depressed. Even though humans have since developed heavier, less agile breeds specifically for convenience and profitability, the principle remains the same.

We must never forget that animals have a very limited capacity to communicate with us. Most lack facial expressions that the human eye and brain can perceive and interpret. When an animal suffers or is unhappy under the care of its master, who will speak up for it? Who will make its distress known?

Elohim Himself does this by warning us well in advance through His laws of prohibition!

Caging certain animals, especially those capable of flying or running long distances, is inherently an act of cruelty. Even modern humans, who increasingly find comfort in inertia—sitting in armchairs or lying in bed watching TV or browsing the Internet—struggle with the thought of imprisonment or forced confinement.

How much greater must the suffering be for a creature that has no inclination or desire for laziness and idleness? For an animal whose physical abilities and instinctive need for movement far surpass even the most active and athletic humans, confinement is a profound and unjust hardship.

Let’s not forget what I discuss in another article: when an animal suffers or senses impending death, it produces stress hormones filled with bitterness, which spread rapidly throughout its body via the bloodstream. This process affects not only its meat but even its milk.

It is therefore essential to slaughter edible animals in a way that they remain unaware of what is happening and experience minimal pain. Techniques such as using razor-sharp blades to reduce stress and approaching the animal from behind can help achieve this. By the time the animal becomes aware of its death, the stress hormones produced in the brain no longer reach the edible parts of its body, as they flow out with the blood through the severed arteries.

This approach benefits everyone: the animal avoids unnecessary suffering, and the human consumer receives high-quality meat. Today, this humane slaughtering method is practiced almost exclusively by Orthodox Jews and Muslims. In this regard, we could take inspiration from both.

However, the nature of the animal in question could also be a reason for its prohibition.

As the popular saying goes: “You are what you eat.” Elohim does not want mankind to take on the characteristics of pigs, rabbits, ostriches, invertebrates, or other creeping vermin. Humanity is already inclined toward such behavior, so there is no point in making the situation worse. This is precisely one of the main objectives of the Redemptive Work: to reshape the fallen and deformed man, led astray by the serpent, so that he may once again be reformed in the image of Elohim, as he was in the beginning.

In the case of reptiles and vermin, the reason is clear, and people instinctively understand that these creatures must be avoided. Most of us feel repulsed at the mere thought of chewing and swallowing such beings. Let us never forget that the fundamental laws are imprinted on the heart of every human being!

What is one of the main characteristics of the rabbit? It is among the animals with the highest libido and sexual activity of all living beings. It is no coincidence that the rabbit is one of the primary symbols of pagan Easter, which is essentially a celebration of fertility.

So, eating rabbit? Does anyone really need to add fuel to the fire, especially men? And take a look for yourselves: which countries are the largest consumers of rabbit meat? Italy and France. I think that says it all! 🙂

As for fish, it has been discovered that scales serve as a detoxification organ. This explains why eating fish without scales is inadvisable, as their toxicity levels are significantly higher than those of unscaled fish.

Concerning invertebrates, humans are wise to avoid them because their influence extends not only to the physical but also to the spiritual and psychological levels. Consuming invertebrates amplifies the phenomenon of a humanity increasingly lacking a backbone—in other words, devoid of moral principles and honesty. The animal that man consumes affects him profoundly, creating an inextricable bond, much like the impact of consuming blood (see also my article: Prohibition of Consuming Blood).

Edible animals, such as lambs, calves, sheep, and cows, exhibit behavior that is consistently peaceful and obedient to their masters. Eating these animals fosters in us the same instinct of submission to our Father.

In contrast, inedible animals are nocturnal, crawl, consume soil, hunt, and wallow in filth. In short, they embody the pagan behaviors and customs of rebellion, anarchy, and witchcraft.

All the Predators are strictly forbidden, and scavengers even more so!
No one should consume meat from an animal killed by another or from rotting flesh. This principle is straightforward and easily understood. Hunting should not become a habit. Although the consumption of deer is not prohibited, it is only practiced in situations of absolute necessity, such as during temporary migrations in a nomadic state. Under normal circumstances, the Jewish people are rooted in the land, leading a sedentary life where they work, care for animals and plants, and avoid killing for sport or “pleasure.” Let us never benefit from what we have not worked for ourselves.
Do not eat the carcass of an animal you find on the road, as it likely belongs to someone else from whom it escaped before dying where you discovered it. We should not take advantage of the misfortunes or losses of others. Additionally, rotting meat is inherently toxic—yet another reason to avoid it entirely.

The Question of Fat

The prohibitions regarding animal fats are also worth examining. The Torah forbids the consumption of fat from four-legged animals, with the exception of the fats of bipedal poultry, which are permitted. Fats contribute to excess cholesterol and, consequently, to obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes. In the warm climate of the Holy Land, the consumption of fats was especially unnecessary, as mild winters required little need for protection from the cold. Fat also serves as the final layer through which toxins are expelled during perspiration, meaning it contains a higher concentration of toxins. Furthermore, most toxins are fat-soluble rather than water-soluble, so an increased fat presence in the body raises the amount of poison within it.

Physical obesity often reflects a deeper emotional struggle, such as a lack of love or rejection experienced by the individual. People frequently turn to fattening foods (like chocolate) as a form of self-reward, leading to weight gain. The modern food industry bears significant responsibility for the rise in obesity, producing harmful products through chemical processes and flooding humanity’s diets with them. Tragically, even today’s disciples are not immune to this issue.

However, obesity often signals a state of spiritual illness in the affected person, particularly believers. Its root causes are frequently linked to inclinations toward the following sins:

Materialism – Gluttony – Debauchery – Waste – Parasitism – Etc.

Being overweight is, quite literally and proportionally, the consequence and visible manifestation of spiritual attachment to money and earthly pleasures.
Let’s not try to embellish it: this is a reality that is evident to most of us. Any secular doctor or psychologist would likely arrive at a similar diagnosis, even without reference to faith or the Bible. However, their version would be more diplomatic, flattering, and humanistic—focused on minimizing personal responsibility and avoiding conflict with the person suffering from it.

The natural and increasingly evident consequence within the body of the Messiah is the growing number of obese and pot-bellied Christian pastors and teachers. Their outward appearance often gives the impression that the buttons on their expensive shirts or jackets—sometimes costing hundreds of euros—are on the verge of bursting under the strain of their stretched fabric. This physical state reflects precisely what they are internally: gluttons, both in their stomachs and in their hearts, whose primary motivation is the pursuit of money and power.

It is no coincidence that they are referred to as “ministers,” a term that should signify servanthood. Tragically, this word—like many others—has long been corrupted by the enemy. These so-called ministers (or servants of God, as they are often called) bear a much closer resemblance to their worldly counterparts, who thrive on corruption at the expense of the people—frequently widows and orphans—than to true ministers who serve according to the Spirit of the Messiah and for the benefit of others.

It is entirely abnormal for disciples, and especially servants of Elohim, to literally resemble fattened pigs

Their counterfeit ministries, along with the small networks and other churches they lead—which are nothing more than vulgar imitations and mockeries of the true Church—resemble the societal structure depicted in George Orwell’s novel Animal Farm, where the ruling class is symbolized by bloated pigs. This stands in stark contrast to the original model of the Body of the Messiah, which grew not in pride or kilograms, but in the number of new disciples each day. These disciples quickly matured and became teachers and ministers themselves.

The authentic model and its account are not found in Orwellian literature but in the Bible, specifically in the Book of Acts.

Anyone who imagines themselves to be an apostle should try to picture what Paul must have looked like after enduring constant persecution, living on the run, facing regular imprisonments, recurring stonings, repeated beatings with rods, and ongoing experiences of deprivation and famine.

Anyone considering themselves a prophet should pray for their spiritual eyes to finally open, truly and fully, so they might at least begin to imagine what John must have looked like in the depths of his prison cell on the island of Patmos. Or what the other John or Elijah might have looked like, each living in the wilderness, clothed in animal skins—kosher ones, of course—and subsisting almost exclusively on locusts and crickets.

And those who claim to be teachers should first quite literally take the form of our Master, who did not preach from the height of a pulpit dressed in designer clothes with expensive, gleaming watches strapped to His wrists. Instead, He traveled across the regions of the Holy Land and had nowhere to lay His head.

To summarize the question of the kashrut

Do not ask ME what YOU can or cannot eat!

On a human level, I should feel very honored that you consider me a credible spiritual authority by turning to me for advice. Unfortunately, more often than not, entirely different feelings arise in me when I am asked this type of question.

I am not anyone’s rabbi, just as no one else can be!

No man — and even less a woman — should be called such, as Yeshua commands us in Matthew 23:8. He is the only Rabbi, and at most, we can only be brothers among ourselves.

I can advise and teach you for a certain time, as I often repeat in my teachings, but like everyone else without exception, I have only one essential task as a disciple: to guide you to the Rabbi, Yahushua. The goal is for you to be born again, freed from evil spirits, and filled with the one good Spirit, the Spirit of Messiah Yahushua: Ruah HaKodesh—the Judge who, after a short time, is the only one with the authority to continue guiding and teaching you from within through the law He applies in us until He returns to take us.

Unfortunately, today, in most cases, we encounter only two types of servants who mislead the masses they claim to lead.
The first type seizes the roles belonging to the Messiah, dictating the law externally like a master to his dog, deceiving themselves and others by pretending to be a rabbi, pastor, apostle, teacher, prophet, or any other grandiose title. These are the small sects and legalistic, Pharisaic communities that are springing up like mushrooms nowadays in reaction to…
The second type of christian spiritual leaders, who hides behind similar titles and are lying to you, claiming that the law is no longer valid and that you no longer need to concern yourself with it, saying it belongs only to the Old Testament and applies only to Jews. Meanwhile, this type of minister exerts spiritual control over their flock, imposing other laws—more, fewer, or partially derived from the Bible—based on the theology of the given company, or so-called church, in question. This includes, among others, the Pentecostal and hyper-charismatic churches and communities I have often mentioned in my teachings.

Because indeed,

It is not the law that should primarily concern you but Ruah HaKodesh

Humbly allow Him to fill you a little more each day, at His own pace and according to His will, so that He Himself ensures the law is upheld within your mind, heart, and innermost being. Ruah HaKodesh is the Living Law itself, the very Oil with which the lamps of the wise virgins must be filled.

Instead of asking me—or even yourself—questions like:
“Should I eat pork or not?”
“How should I celebrate this or that holiday?”
“Can I drink certain beverages, including alcoholic ones?”
“How far can one go in the realm of eroticism?”

I believe most of us should instead ask: “What is still preventing the Holy Spirit from working fully within me?, Am I truly filled with Ruah HaKodesh, and if so, where do I stand in terms of further sanctification?”

Do you desire to receive true spiritual gifts—the ones that operate biblically?
Are you finally disgusted by the fear instilled by the spirit of religiosity, which has discouraged you from seeking true charismatism because of all the false manifestations you’ve seen in fake Pentecostal circuses cultivated by Satan to deprive you and those attending these of what is real?
Aren’t you tired of using the Bible to explain away your spiritual emptiness and incomplete state, clinging to so-called biblical reasons while continuing to fear what you should have long aspired to?

The day you overcome your fears and seek out authentic brothers and sisters in the faith—those who are born again—and begin to speak in true tongues rather than the endless childish mantras like “bah bah bah” or “kas kas kas,” when you genuinely desire to receive the spiritual gifts and weapons as described and demonstrated in the Book of Acts, then after some time, you will rightly ask your elder brothers and sisters how they approach questions of eating and drinking, celebrating festivals, or even the boundaries and ways of intimacy with our spouses within marriage.

At that point, you will no longer hear commandments from the outside, nor will you strive to obey them through human effort. Instead, you will hear the echo of Elohim’s Word already alive within you, confirming what Ruach HaKodesh, the Spirit of Yahushua, has already implanted in your heart.

Also see : Paul and the Law 1, Paul and the Law 2, The Essence of the Law