In this article we examine the subjects of Vegetarianism and the dietary laws in Scripture. Let me deal with vegetarianism first.

Millions of people do not eat meat for a variety of reasons:

• It is against their religion (Hinduism).
• Man's original diet according to Genesis 1:29 did not include meat.
• Meat from diseased animals can be a danger to one's health, and it is difficult to be sure that the meat bought in the market place is disease free.
• Meat is a major source of cholesterol, a fatty substance found in animal tissues, thought to cause hardening of the arteries.
• Meat is expensive and the money spent on it could more profitably be spent on fruit and vegetables.
• Meat is difficult to digest etc.

There are other reasons, but these are amongst the main ones. We do not publish literature as to the advantages or disadvantages of eating meat. However, there are certain meats which YaHuWaH the Almighty Elohim of Israel has forbidden His followers to eat. This is discussed later. Our observations concerning vegetarianism are as follows.

• The Scriptures do not forbid believers from eating clean meats (from animals that chew the cud and have the cloven hoof, or fish that have scales and fins).
• Most Israelites in Bible times (the prophets, patriarchs, apostles and the Savior) ate meat. The Bible has scores of texts to prove this point. See John 21:13 where the record states that the Messiah even ate fish after His resurrection. YaHuWaH - as stated - has not forbidden His people from eating meat. He even symbolically talks of giving us "a feast of fat things full of marrow" (the choicest parts of a meat dish) at the great spiritual banquet still to be held in the future (Isaiah 25:6-8).
• Most of the offerings made to the Most High on His Sabbaths were meat offerings, of which the priests partook (Leviticus chapters 2, 6, 7, 9, 10, 14 and Numbers chapters 28 and 29). Those animal sacrifices represented YaHuWaH 's Son, YAHUSHUA the Messiah whose "flesh" we believers symbolically partake of at each communion service. (John 6:53-56)
• Vegetarianism as a spiritual requirement originated in heathen India, where multiplied millions are strict vegetarians. We note that even after thousands of years of vegetarianism there is no evidence that Indians are any healthier than other nations. Their neighbors the meat-eating Moslems of Pakistan, for example, live just as long as the vegetarian Hindus of India: and both countries have the same climate. The Indians are no healthier, stronger or long-lived than their Moslem neighbors. Neither do Indians excel in sport when competing in the Olympic Games.

We make it a point of duty not to go beyond the Scriptures. You will see from the above arguments that a believer in YaHuWaH is allowed to eat clean meats; and no one should judge him/her - least of all a vegetarian.

Unclean Meats

There are, however, certain meats which are strictly forbidden in the Bible. YaHuWaH 's law tells us about clean and unclean meats. I quote a whole chapter:

Many Christians do not keep these commandments. They believe that the text such as Mark 7:15 give them full permission to eat all kinds of meat: pigs, rabbits, horses, mice, dogs, cats, shell fish, lobsters and prawns. They are mistaken. These Christians have completely missed the point of this text and have also ignored vital prophecies in Isaiah where the Most High categorically states that on the Day of Judgement He is going to destroy eaters of unclean meats - the mouse and the swine. I quote the prophecies:

The Judgment Day is still future and it is unlikely that YaHuWaH would punish the generation before Calvary for eating swine's flesh and then forgive the generation after Calvary for eating the same things. Such an inconsistent Judgment would create chaos in people's minds for all time. You may therefore be certain that eating unclean meat (swine and mouse etc.) is still a sin and will be punished on the Day of Judgment.

What then of these words of YAHUSHUA?

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.

Because of these facts unclean meats should not be eaten;
especially in view of the coming Day of Judgment.

Remember the Divine Warning:

"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 YaHuWaH."

Conclusion

• Vegetarianism is not taught in the Scriptures. It may or may not have advantages: most certainly they are not evident in vegetarian nations such as India. Indians are no healthier or long-lived than other nations.
• According to the Scriptures, believers are allowed to eat the flesh (but not the blood or the fat) of clean animals: animals that chew the cud and are cloven footed. Clean animals include cattle, sheep, goats and deer. Animals such as the pig, the horse, the rabbit, the mouse and the snake are unclean. They do not have those two qualifying points. Fish which have scales and fins are clean. Shell fish are unclean. Birds of prey are unclean. See Leviticus 11 for further details.
• Unclean animals are still unclean. Dogs, cats, pigs, rabbits, rats and mice have not been cleansed. They are still unclean animals: and eating their flesh will bring down judgment on the eater.