The pig is also unclean; although it has a divided hoof, it does not chew the cud. You are not to eat their meat or touch their carcasses. – Deuteronomy 14:8

Today's Scripture Reading (March 2, 2025): Deuteronomy 14

According to Jewish Philosophy, God gave Moses 613 laws while the prophet met with him on the mountain. And those 613 laws have been divided into three categories. The first is what Jewish philosophers would call "mishpatim." These laws have a rational explanation and would be enacted and enforced in any orderly society. Prohibitions on at least some kinds of murder would be part of this group of laws. Every orderly society prohibits the killing of at least some group of its citizens—the who might vary from culture to culture, but someone cannot be killed without punishment. 

A second group of laws is called "eidot" and is understood if it is explained, but it probably wouldn't be legislated outside of a demand by the Torah that defines these things as wrong. Perhaps prohibitions against adultery would fit into this category. Adultery is wrong because it tears at the fabric of marriage and the family unit around which most societies are built. Explaining that a strong family unit is essential to our society is something we can expound on and explain. Still, outside of a command of God, it is unlikely to be a legal prohibition. At various times and in multiple cultures, adultery has been declared to be illegal. However, in secular cultures, which seem to have moved past the Bible or other religious texts, adultery is not listed as an action that violates the law.

The last group of laws are called "chukim." This group of laws has no logical explanation except that God has prohibited them. It is in this group of laws that food prohibitions are often placed. So, If you wonder why you can't have that "bacon double cheeseburger," it might violate Jewish food laws on two counts (bacon [pig] is prohibited, as is cooking a child in the milk of the mother, which some argue prohibits the use of cheese and beef together), the only answer I can give you is "because God says you can't."

However, it also these laws for which the early church got an exception, and why I occasionally enjoy my bacon cheeseburger.    

It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things (Acts 15:28-29).

With this letter, the Jewish church wiped away the food laws and maybe all laws that are "chukim" and do not appear to violate the law of love.  

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 15