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This post could have been placed in the category of "Hebrew Language" or "Jewish Theology," but I decided on "Torah."
I continually hear that the dietary laws were for our BEST INTEREST AT THE TIME, as there was no refrigeration to keep pork, etc., during the time of Moses. No matter that there was no refrigeration all the way up into the 20th century. Even so, Yeshua did away with "all that." And, of course, we know now that "all that" includes a whole lot more than the commandments of kashrut. But if the dietary laws were only for physical benefit, and if we can see the same in the other laws, perhaps we can justify those away as well. But what if G-D's ways are higher than ours, and his purposes are beyond our understanding? What if there are physical AND spiritual ramifications to Torah?
Let's start at creation.
In Genesis, the word "va'yitzer" is used to describe the creation of BOTH MAN AND ANIMAL.
In the latter verse, "va'yitzer," from the root "yatzar," is spelled with one "yud." In regard to human beings, however, it is spelled with two. According to the rabbis, this additional "yud" teaches us that man is composed of the physical (the body, through which we gain information and take action) and the spiritual (our connective "circuitry" to G-D). Our body is a partner with our soul in carrying out G-D's mission in the world. If either facet is neglected, the other part suffers also.
In Leviticus, when Torah discusses animals that are forbidden and aniamls that are permitted, we read:
The Hebrew word for "defiled" is "nitmetem," from the root "tameh" (impure), which is usually spelled with an aleph. In the preceding verse, the aleph is missing and corresponds with a different root word meaning "blocked." Could a physical substance cause a physical blockage? We know it can. Could a physical substance cause a spiritual blockage?
But for the will of G-D, food and water would not sustain us. But even the act of eating and drinking, G-D has given us as a tool for growth. When we eat, it seems to us that food is what sustains us. It is for us to realize that we are actually sustained by G-D, who created us to eat in order to challenge us with the ability to see beyond our need for physical nourishment and to the fact that he is the source of all life.
I continually hear that the dietary laws were for our BEST INTEREST AT THE TIME, as there was no refrigeration to keep pork, etc., during the time of Moses. No matter that there was no refrigeration all the way up into the 20th century. Even so, Yeshua did away with "all that." And, of course, we know now that "all that" includes a whole lot more than the commandments of kashrut. But if the dietary laws were only for physical benefit, and if we can see the same in the other laws, perhaps we can justify those away as well. But what if G-D's ways are higher than ours, and his purposes are beyond our understanding? What if there are physical AND spiritual ramifications to Torah?
Let's start at creation.
In Genesis, the word "va'yitzer" is used to describe the creation of BOTH MAN AND ANIMAL.
va'yitzer HaShem Elochim et ha'adam afar min ha'adamah (The and L-RD G-D formed man of the dust of the ground 2:7).....va'yitzer HaShem Elochim min ha'adamah kol chayat hasadeh" (and out of the ground the L-Rd G-D formed every beast of the field 2:19).
In Leviticus, when Torah discusses animals that are forbidden and aniamls that are permitted, we read:
You shall not make yourselves abominable with any creeping thing that creeps, neither shall you make yourselves unclean with them, that you should be defiled with them (Lev 11:43)
Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word of G-D
2 Kings 25:29 - So Yehoiachin changed from his prison garments, and he ate food rewgularly before the king all the days of his life, and as for his provisions, there was a regular portion given him by the king, a portion for each day, all the days of his life.
Isa 55 - Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat. Yes, come buy wine and milk without money and without price.... Listen diligently to me and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance.
Isa 55 - Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat. Yes, come buy wine and milk without money and without price.... Listen diligently to me and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance.
, we did have a rather funny conversation.
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