Recent Questions Addressed by Robert D. Klika, B.S,. of Set Apart Ministries, Inc. [Retired]  Registered Food Sanitarian

Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection June, 2010

Set Apart Ministries received a question via email about what this site teaches about dietary cautions.

http://www.theisraelofgodrc.com/CUPL.html

How much of these foods do we eat and what is a scale insect, and what is L-cysteine and carmine?

I reviewed the list- very extensive. Some items are 'unclean' because the mfg. cannot guarantee that there are no pork products- Pork enzymes, gelatins, lard, etc. Some definitely contain pork and are not acceptable.

It is interesting that Jell-o products are ‘unclean’ though most of them contain the (K) &/or (D) symbols. Many of the other brand gelatins and marshmallows also have the (K) symbol.

L-cysteine is an amino acid used (and made) by the body for protein production. It may be derived from pork products as well as other sources.

Cochineal and Carmine (red pigment) may be derived from insects (scale beetle on cactus leaves) as well as other sources.

Canthaxanthin (pigment) may be derived from crustaceans (shellfish) or insects or other sources.

These enzymes, pigments, flavorings, etc. are minute additives in these foods. They have been determined to not be Kosher by various Rabbinical councils (they don’t all agree).

We need to first examine the reason behind the food laws. There is a physical health issue component, however I have come to the understanding that the food laws are more for a spiritual health instruction (Kingdom of Death vs.

Kingdom of Life issues.) than physical health. The food laws were not intended to be a burden- ‘don’t eat’- without specific details on properly handling or avoiding most prohibited items. (i.e. –drain the blood and cover it -simple.

Rabbinic Kashrut slaughter makes it almost impossible to have meat that is fit to consume- burdensome). Does Leviticus direct that all food must have Rabbinical oversight during production and processing? No!

The question comes down to “Do we follow the Levitical (Biblical) food laws or the more restrictive Rabbinical (man-made) interpretations?”

We need to avoid the obvious prohibited items- pork, shellfish, bottom-feeder fish, scavengers, etc. Is it necessary to avoid foods that ‘might’ have derivatives or additives that come from these items, even when they are indistinguishable from items made from ‘clean’ sources? I’m not convinced that this is required or necessary. Sha’ul exhorts us to not get caught up in the controversy of foods for sale in the marketplace but he also admonishes us to not place a stumbling block in front of our brothers. We should never secretly or carelessly feed anything to another that may offend their understanding. Tolerance and hospitality demand that we be respectful of opinions and practices that may not agree with our halachah but are still within the general understanding of Torah.

I do not eat mushrooms anymore because they do not have seeds and are generally found growing in dead or decaying matter (Kingdom of Death issues). However seedless grapes, watermelon, and oranges are not an issue for me.

Are we to follow the Levitical rules out of obedience (love) or the Rabbinical rules out of fear (control)? I believe that our Father wants us to respond in obedience out of love for Him rather than fearing Him as a God who is out to get us for every misstep.

I believe that we need to prayerfully discern what His will is for us in regards to the food laws. This is not a salvation issue. It is about our relationship with Yah. If we spend all of our time concerned about the minute details of the food we eat our focus will be taken off of what He is teaching us and we will not be able to enjoy His rest and provision.

In His Grace, Bob

Robert D. Klika, B.S. Set Apart Ministries, Inc. June, 2010