The Old Testament contains substantial dietary regulations for the Jewish people. Food that complies with these regulations is commonly known as "kosher." But should Christians follow these regulations? Should Christians eat kosher?

Old Testament Regulations

In Genesis 2:16, God gave to mankind the produce of "any tree in the garden" for food. However, Adam's fall led to the killing of animals (God made garments for Adam and Eve from "skin," Genesis 3:21; Abel's "pleasing sacrifice" of the firstborn of his flock, Genesis 4:4). However, it was not until Noah departed from the ark that God specifically permitted mankind to eat animals. In Genesis 9:3-4, God told Noah: "Every moving thing that is alive shall be food for you; I have given everything to you, as I gave the green plant. But you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood."

God's covenant with the children of Israel changed that. In Leviticus 11, God gives Moses specific commands regarding which animals are "clean" and which are "unclean." The "clean" animals were acceptable for eating; the "unclean" were not. Animals with split hooves that chewed the cud (cows, sheep, goats) were "clean"; others, which either had split hooves (like pigs) or chewed the cud (camels, rabbits, etc.) were "unclean." Insects with jointed legs (locusts, crickets, and grasshoppers) were "clean"; other insects were "unclean."

Several types of birds were designated "unclean" – for example, eagles, vultures, hawks, ravens, and owls (see Leviticus 11:13-19). Any type of fish with fins and scales was acceptable for eating; anything without fins and scales was unacceptable. Thus, shellfish (shrimp, crabs, lobsters, clams, oysters, etc.) were not permitted (Leviticus 11:9-12).

In Deuteronomy, Moses reviewed God's commands for the new generation of Israelites. He repeated the designations of acceptable and unacceptable animals (Deuteronomy 14:3-20), but added two more restrictions. They were not to eat anything "which dies of itself," and they were not to "boil a young goat in its mother's milk" (Deuteronomy 14:21).

The "Rules" of Kosher

As is the case with much Old Testament teaching, the Jewish rabbis expounded and explained the dietary rules over time, developing what could be regarded as the "general rules of Kosher." One website identifies the following "general rules":

1. Certain animals may not be eaten at all. This restriction includes the flesh, organs, eggs and milk of the forbidden animals.

2. Of the animals that may be eaten, the birds and mammals must be killed in accordance with Jewish law.

3. All blood must be drained from meat and poultry or broiled out of it before it is eaten.

4. Certain parts of permitted animals may not be eaten.

5. Fruits and vegetables are permitted but must be inspected for bugs (which cannot be eaten).

6. Meat (the flesh of birds and animals) cannot be eaten with dairy. Fish, eggs, fruits, vegetables and grains can be eaten with either meat or dairy. (According to some views, fish may not be eaten with meat.)

7. Utensils (including pots and pans and other cooking surfaces) that have come into contact with meat may not be used with dairy, and vice versa. Utensils that have come into contact with non-kosher food may not be used with kosher food. This applies only where the contact occurred while the food was hot.

8. Grape products made by non-Jews may not be eaten (https://www.jewfaq.org/kosher_dietary_laws).

The question "should Christians eat kosher" can really be considered in two ways. First, should Christians observe the basic dietary restrictions set forth in Scripture? Second, should Christians observe all of the Jewish teachings on eating kosher as they develop over time?

New Testament Teaching

For Christians, the New Testament always influences our interpretation of the Old Testament. Romans 8:1-4 says that Christians are "set free from the law of sin and death" because Christ's death and resurrection fulfilled the requirement of the Law "in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit."

With particular regard to dietary laws, two New Testament passages are very pertinent. First, in Mark 7:17-23, Jesus tells His disciples that it is not what goes into a person that makes him unclean, but what comes out of him. Mark 7:19 clarifies, "Thereby He declared all foods clean." Later, in Acts 10, Peter receives a similar direction from the Lord. During a vision, Peter sees a sheet with all kinds of animals being lowered to him, with the direction to "Get up, kill and eat." When Peter protests that he has never eaten anything "unholy and unclean," the Lord says, "What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy" (Acts 10:9-16). While the direct application of the vision was to food, Peter understood it even more broadly: that God was eliminating the traditional distinction between Jews and Gentiles.

Finally, at the council of Jerusalem in Acts 15, the early church settled on the degree to which Gentile converts needed to observe Jewish law: "It is my judgment that we do not cause trouble for those from the Gentiles who are turning to God, but that we write to them that they abstain from things contaminated by idols, from acts of sexual immorality, from what has been strangled, and from blood" (Acts 15:19-20).

Thus, the New Testament witness seems clear that the dietary restrictions of the Old Testament are no longer binding for Christians.

So, Should Christians Eat Kosher?

But that only answers part of the question, "Should Christians eat kosher?" For even though Scripture may not require it, following those restrictions may still be beneficial. There may be health reasons for Christians to "eat kosher," but the same could be said for any number of other dietary regimens. Should Christians eat vegan? The Mediterranean diet? Keto? Paleo? The health ramifications of any dietary plan are largely dependent upon the individual's personal health concerns. Thus, health reasons alone are probably not a justification for Christians to "eat kosher."

But are there spiritual benefits? That question, too, seems better directed to the individual in question. If there were clear spiritual benefits for every Christian, would the New Testament have so clearly indicated that "all foods are clean"? However, there may be instances where certain Christians feel led to avoid certain foods. For example, many Christians abstain from alcohol – not because Scripture requires it, but because they believe that abstinence benefits them spiritually.

The same could be true of "eating kosher" (although, to be clear, most Christians who feel led this way are probably not following all of the "general rules" listed above). If an individual believer feels that God is calling them to avoid certain foods, they should do so!

"Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all things for the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31).