Do Messianic Jews Eat Pork? Examining Kosher Dietary Laws

Messianic Judaism is a movement that combines Christian faith with elements of Jewish identity and practice. An ongoing question is what stance Messianic Jews take on following traditional Jewish kosher dietary restrictions, especially regarding pork consumption. Do Messianic believers keep kosher? Let’s take an in-depth look.

Messianic Judaism emerged in the 1960s and 1970s as a way for Jewish people to embrace belief in Jesus as the Messiah while retaining their Jewish identity Messianic congregations celebrate Jewish holidays and traditions with Yeshua (Jesus) as the focal point,

There are an estimated 350,000 Messianic Jews worldwide today, with over 200 Messianic synagogues in the U.S. alone. Messianic Jews are theological cousins to Christianity, yet with a uniquely Jewish cultural flavor.

Part of that cultural flavor involves navigating the Jewish dietary laws of kashrut (kosher). But Messianic believers hold diverse perspectives on keeping kosher.

What is Kosher?

Kashrut is the set of Jewish dietary regulations based on biblical commandments and rabbinic interpretations. Foods that meet these requirements are deemed kosher. The word “kosher” means fit or proper according to Jewish law.

The Torah lists certain animals that are permissible and forbidden for consumption by the ancient Israelites. Kosher land mammals must chew cud and have cloven hooves. This excludes pigs, rabbits, camels etc. Birds of prey are also prohibited.

Fish must have fins and scales to be considered kosher. Shellfish like shrimp, lobster, oysters and clams are not kosher. Amphibians and reptiles are off limits too.

Beyond the kosher species there are many rules around food prep – like not mixing meat and dairy, proper slaughter methods avoiding blood, use of separate utensils etc. Observant Jews only eat meat certified as kosher.

Pork is one of the main forbidden foods in Judaism. The pig is considered an unclean animal unfit for Jewish consumption.

Do Messianic Jews Eat Pork?

With this background on kosher laws, do Messianic Jews eat pork or view it as prohibited? There is a range of opinion on this issue within the Messianic community.

A 2021 survey of Messianic Jews found:

• 18% said they keep kosher and don’t eat pork
• 26% don’t eat pork but aren’t fully kosher
• 56% have no prohibition against pork

So while the majority do eat pork, a significant 44% still avoid it. This shows Messianic dietary practice around pork varies widely based on individual choice.

Messianic Jews also differ in their reasons behind avoiding pork:

• Some see it as obedience to biblical commandments
• Others view pork abstention as important for Jewish identity
• Many avoid pork when in presence of more observant Jewish people out of respect
• A minority believe the kosher pig prohibition remains spiritually relevant

But a slim majority of Messianic Jews see no problem with eating pork from a religious standpoint. They view kashrut laws as part of the obsolete “Jewish law” parts of the Old Testament.

Do Messianic Jews Keep Kosher Overall?

While pork abstention is common in Messianic circles, keeping fully kosher is rarer. Only about 20% make an effort to observe the full array of kosher laws.

This stems from the Messianic belief that Christians are not required to follow the Jewish ritual law. Messianic theology is aligned with the Apostle Paul’s teaching that Jewish and Gentile believers are saved by grace not law.

So for most Messianic Jews, strict kosher observance is seen as optional – and the complex rabbinic additions overly legalistic. At the same time, many do incorporate selected kosher practices into their lives as a way to stay connected to their Jewish heritage.

Reasons Some Messianic Jews Avoid Pork

While not universal, abstention from pork is common in the Messianic community compared to mainstream Christianity. Here are some motivations behind this avoidance:

Jewish Identity – For Messianic Jews, not eating pork is intricately tied to cultural identity. Avoiding “unkosher” foods is an expression of Jewishness.

Evangelism – Some Messianics are concerned that eating pork alienates unsaved Jewish people and erects barriers to sharing the Gospel. Restricting pork assists evangelism.

Torah Observance – A minority of Messianics still follow all Mosaic laws, including dietary instructions, as an expression of their biblical faith. For them, kosher is everlasting divine decree.

Health – Modern health wisdom recognizes risks associated with excessive pork intake. Some Messianic Jews consider the biblical pig prohibition wise guidance for physical well-being.

Tradition – Not eating pork connects Messianic Jews to centuries of family and community practice. Avoiding pork is honoring tradition.

Spiritual Discipline – For some Messianics, abstaining from pork represents spiritual self-discipline before God and distinction from mainstream culture.

These factors make pork abstention, if not full kosher keeping, a meaningful identity marker for a segment of Messianic believers.

Do All Messianic Congregations Follow Kosher?

Messianic Jewish congregations reflect the diversity of kosher observance found among individual adherents. Some Messianic synagogues require kosher standards for food served at gatherings and events.

But many Messianic congregations do not keep kosher. They serve dishes like pulled pork at potlucks or have church lunches at non-kosher restaurants. Personal adherence to kosher law is considered a matter of individual conscience and calling.

This represents the spectrum found in Messianic Judaism as a whole – individuals, families and congregations run the gamut from strict kosher keeping to no dietary restrictions at all.

Controversies Around Messianic Jewish Pork Consumption

Within Judaism, there is criticism of Messianic pork consumption from two directions:

Rabbinic Jews say Messianics can’t claim to be Jewish while violating fundamental precepts like kosher. Eating pork undermines their Jewish identity.

Hebrew Roots adherents argue that Mosaic dietary commands are eternal. Messianics flouting kosher show lack of obedience to God’s Word.

Messianics counter that salvation comes through faith in Christ alone – not law adherence. For them, the New Covenant frees both Jews and Gentiles from rigid legalism. Their identity stems from Yeshua-centered faith, not food rules.

This debate around Messianic Jewish dietary practice highlights deeper theological rifts about law and grace, works vs faith, freedom vs obligation.

Do All Messianic Jews Eat Pork? A Recap:

• Around half of Messianic Jews have no objection to eating pork
• The other half abstain from pork, with 20% keeping fully kosher
• Reasons for avoiding pork include identity, evangelism, health and tradition
• Most Messianic congregations don’t require kosher standards
• Eating pork is controversial and critiqued by both Jews and Hebrew Roots adherents