Are There Any Other Religions That Follow Kosher Dietary Laws? A Look at Christian Churches and Ancient Egyptian Priests

Kosher dietary laws have gained significant attention for their adherence by adherents of the Jewish faith. However, some Christian churches and ancient Egyptian priests also followed these practices, driven by beliefs in ritual purity and religious duty. This article explores the practices of these groups and the reasons behind their adherence to kosher dietary laws. It places a focus on the Worldwide Church of God and how its offshoots continue to follow these practices, alongside an in-depth examination of the dietary laws of ancient Egyptian priests.

Christian Churches and Kosher Dietary Laws

Believing that the Mosaic Law also applies to Christians, certain Christian denominations follow kosher dietary laws as part of their belief system. Among them is the Worldwide Church of God, which was a prominent example of such a church. The magazine The Plain Truth served as a key publication for this organization, known for its adherence to Mosaic Law. At the height of its existence, followers of the Worldwide Church of God had to abstain from consuming pork and seafood as part of their religious practice. However, after the organization rebranded as Grace Communion International, it no longer follows Mosaic Law. Nonetheless, some sects that broke away from this organization continue to maintain the kosher dietary laws and prohibit their members from consuming pork and seafood.

Ancient Egyptian Priests' Dietary Laws and Ritual Purity

Dietary laws and ritual purity played a significant role in the lives of ancient Egyptian priests. These religious practices were more stringent than those observed by the general populace. Let's explore the specific dietary rules and food prohibitions that priests had to follow.

1. Strict Dietary Rules for Greek Observers

According to Greek writers such as Herodotus and Plutarch, Egyptian priests followed strict dietary rules, particularly for rituals and acts of purification. These rules were more rigorous than those for the average Egyptian. Some examples of these rules include:

Legumes such as beans and lentils were prohibited. Certain meats, especially pork and mutton, were off-limits. Avoidance of certain fish and other seafood. Avoidance of onions and garlic. Some types of salt were also prohibited in certain contexts.

2. Reasons for Prohibitions

Some foods were banned due to symbolic connections to deities or associations with bodily impurities. For instance, legumes were thought to be connected to bodily waste products, and certain meats were prohibited due to their sacred status. Seasonal and regional variations in dietary restrictions were also observed.

3. Contextual Restrictions Based on Occasions and Purity Concepts

Many of the dietary restrictions were context-dependent, tied to specific seasons, regions, and religious festivals. For example, the New Kingdom Religious Ephemeris Calendar of Lucky and Unlucky Days listed foods to be avoided on certain days. This demonstrates the strong emphasis on maintaining ritual purity through diet.

4. Contrast with the General Population

The diets of priests were more restricted compared to the average Egyptian. However, when not performing rituals, priests had the opportunity to enjoy a rich and varied diet, including offerings made to the gods. This allowed them to indulge in more diverse and luxurious foods.

5. Regional Variations

Different temples and regions within Egypt had their own specific dietary taboos related to local deities, indicating the adaptability and region-specific nature of these practices.

6. Evolution Over Time

During later periods, particularly in Ptolemaic and Roman times, the dietary restrictions became more elaborate, with greater focus on ritual purity. This evolution reflects the changing religious and cultural contexts in ancient Egypt.

Further Reading and Citations:

[1] Priests Food taboos in ancient Egypt: A case study from Dakahlia governorate. [2] _266323_a603898ac740d812b92447bff1bdbea1.pdf [3] Egyptian priests lived on junk food diet, emphasizing the evolution of diet. [4] Ancient Egyptian Food Prohibitions, detailing the specific food restrictions. [5] Ancient Egyptian Food Prohibitions - The Ancient Near East Today, offering modern interpretations. [6] Influence of the traditional food culture of Ancient Egypt on the transition of cuisine and food culture of contemporary Egypt, Journal of Ethnic Foods. [7] Ancient Egyptian cuisine - Wikipedia, a comprehensive overview. [8] Were the Ancient Egyptians Vegetarians — CSA Reviving Community, discussing dietary patterns from different perspectives.