What does the Holy Bible say about Dietary Law?

Before answering this question there are some things we should understand:

We received the law of the Old Testament, this is the Tradition of the Church which we still follow. Following dietary law is a form of fasting that we do for a multitude of reasons. One, for the glory of the word of God and to show our obedience, love, and trust in God. Another reason being to attain forgiveness of sins (Exodus 34:28; John 3:5-10). Yet another, to follow the steps of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and His saints in their continued fasting and prayer while on earth to attain a heavenly reward. Other reasons include, to ward off and fight evil spirits. (Matt. 17:21) However, according to New Testament law, fasting from certain enumerated animals no longer means they are cursed or unclean.

The best way to approach this answer is to talk to your father of confession, and they will guide you.

What does the Bible say about dietary law?

• In Leviticus 11, clean and unclean foods are as listed and how to decipher between those is included.
• “Now the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying to them, “Speak to the children of Israel, saying, ‘These are the animals which you may eat among all the animals that are on the earth: Among the animals, whatever divides the hoof, having cloven hooves and chewing the cud—that you may eat. Nevertheless these you shall not eat among those that chew the cud or those that have cloven hooves: the camel, because it chews the cud but does not have cloven hooves, is unclean to you; the rock hyrax, because it chews the cud but does not have cloven hooves, is unclean to you; the hare, because it chews the cud but does not have cloven hooves, is unclean to you; and the swine, though it divides the hoof, having cloven hooves, yet does not chew the cud, is unclean to you. Their flesh you shall not eat, and their carcasses you shall not touch. They are unclean to you.”
• He continues saying...“These you may eat of all that are in the water...And these you shall regard as an abomination among the birds...All flying insects that creep on all fours shall be an abomination to you…”
• “This is the law of the animals and the birds and every living creature that moves in the waters, and of every creature that creeps on the earth, to distinguish between the unclean and the clean, and between the animal that may be eaten and the animal that may not be eaten.”
• Read the rest of the chapter for more details, and don’t hesitate to ask a clergy member for clarification.

According the the observation of dietary laws by Gentiles in Acts 15:18-21

• “Known to God from eternity are all His works. Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God, but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood. For Moses has had throughout many generations those who preach him in every city, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”
  • Things polluted by idols: food sacrificed to idols/other religions (eating sacrificial offerings of other religions)
  • Sexual immorality
  • Strangled animals
  • Blood: murder
• It does not negate the observation of law for those who are aware of the it, rather for those who are not (ie Gentiles). Neither does it completely do away with law, rather it sets different standards.
• There are many reasons that some may not be able to follow dietary law. For example, those who live in Muslim countries or cannot afford to buy meat that is slaughtered under Christian regulation.
  • This is where it especially important to discuss with a spiritual father, that according to the law your father may be able to guide you with necessary exceptions.

Regarding what is said in, Colossians 2:16-17:

• “So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.”
  • We shouldn’t judge those who don’t observe dietary law or feast days.
  • This does not mean that we shouldn’t observe dietary law or feast days, rather we should do such things for blessing and understand people that don’t do it out of ignorance or it simply being Gentiles to the law in their own respect.

Regarding what is said in, Acts 10

• “On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending upon him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: Wherein were all manner of four footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean. And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.” (vs. 9-15)
• “Then he said to them, ‘You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean. Therefore I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. I ask, then, for what reason have you sent for me?’” (vs. 28,29)
• The scripture makes it clear that the voice of God was indeed referring to man and not food. Again, the New Testament scripture does not order the abolition of dietary law.

Is there a difference between Tewahdo born believers and converts (Gentiles) concerning the law?

• Our Lord came to fulfill the law, not demolish it. In many cases, such as offering burnt sacrifices, He has replaced, in this example with His own flesh and blood. We should still follow Mosaic dietary laws given that the laws have not been repealed just on the terms that it is written in the Old Testament.
• However, St. Paul teaches to the Romans who are Gentiles to the law that,“One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks.” [Romans 14:5-6 ]
• He also says in Romans 14:3, “Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him.”
  • This is not to say that it is simply our choice to either follow such laws (for they are written for a reason), but in it St. Paul acknowledges that those who have not been raised in the faith have different practices and should not be judged because of it. This scripture is not chiefly pointed at those of us who have grown up knowing the law of the Church, rather to encourage converts. It highlights that there is blessing in observation but for Gentiles there is no fault in not doing so because it is not a known practice.
• Romans 14:14 “I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.”
  • Ultimately, we understand that we follow dietary law not because foods are unclean, rather as stated in the first paragraph to get the blessing from:
    • Honoring the Law of God in Old Testament scriptures which still stands and comprises a deep Tradition of the Church.
    • Following dietary law is a form of fasting.

Regarding turkeys, it has been debated whether they are considered clean (allowed to be eaten) according to Mosaic dietary law. This ambiguity may be because of the different species of turkeys that have been considered. Although the turkey is not explicitly listed as unclean in dietary law, one analysis of the turkey has lead some clergy of the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church to consider it prohibited under dietary law. The law concerning eating animals is written in Leviticus 11, things considered are presence of gizzard, construction of toes, predatory behavior, etc. One should read and decipher the text and most importantly if you doubt it, don’t eat it. This is where we should question our fleshly desires. For, it is better to fast than eat.