Why is this important? For Jews whose heritage has been obscured from them, it aids in the restoration of their birthright as sons or daughters of Israel. For Gentile believers in Yeshua who may otherwise be tempted to covet Jewishness (see “Am I Really a Gentile?”), it helps to affirm their birthright as the recipients of the blessings of Israel (Genesis 12:1-3), and keeps them strong in their identity as fellow-citizens with Jewish believers in the Household of God (Ephesians 2:19).

This “Fast Foundations” article was originally published in Messianic Jewish Issues.

The very thought of “Israel” can transport us to a foreign and mystical land. We are enamored with its beauty and power; captivated by its historical and spiritual meaning; fixated upon our minds’ fantastic images of an exotic and distant world. We send it money and humanitarian aid, we lobby for its support by our policymakers, and we pray for its peace, petition for its prosperity, and intercede for its salvation. And yet…

… there is no such place as a land called “Israel.” It is a figment of our imagination.

Yes, there is a God-given, Jewish homeland, and it lies in the Middle East.

Yes, there is a modern State of Israel that many mistakenly fancy as “Palestine.”

Yes, half of all the world’s fourteen million Jews live on a very real parcel of land only twice the size of the state of Rhode Island…

… yet Scripture never calls this place “Israel”—and the mere thought of such a place is obstructing our view. Indeed, “Israel” is not a place at all, but a people—and you can find us almost anywhere… including the Land that belongs to Israel, promised to us by Adonai our God.

“Israel” is not a place, but the name given to our father, Jacob, whose all-night wrestling match with God pictures the Jewish peoples’ struggle to follow only Him. (Genesis 35:10)

“Israel” is not a place, but the birthright of the sons of Jacob, whom Adonai set apart as His chosen people, though we are scattered throughout the nations of the earth. (Exodus 19:5-6)

“Israel” is not a place, but the spiritual heritage of every single Jewish person—the one who works in the cubicle across the aisle; the one who lives in the house down the street.

“Israel” is not a place, but every Messianic Jew—each Jewish believer in Yeshua who lives a Jewish lifestyle according to Scripture, and a sold-out life for the Good News of Messiah, our Master.

“Israel” is not a where, but a who, and we are in great need of your prayers, friendship and aid. The Jewish people living in what is presently considered the Land of Israel do indeed need your help, and desperately need to be turned toward the Messiah, Yeshua. But don’t just gaze longingly toward a land past the horizon in order to find an “Israel” to know, care for, and love. On the contrary, we are in your towns and cities, your workplaces and communities, the circles in which you move, and the ones you temporarily brush up against. We may know Yeshua, or we may not; but either way, we need to know you. Please—pray for the peace of Jerusalem; but don’t forget your own neighborhood, or the Messianic Jewish ministry from which you receive spiritual nourishment.

Look!  Here I am!  See me, children of God… I am Israel!

When Adonai gave Israel the Torah and established her as a nation, He also set apart the priesthood—a select group of people within Israel, chosen solely by bloodline, who would serve the entire community by facilitating the relationship between God and the rest of the nation.  The priests were forbidden from taking part in certain things that were permitted for the rest of Israel (i.e., Le.21:1-6, De.18:1-2), and the people of Israel were forbidden from performing and participating in the service and lifestyle of the priests (i.e., Ex.30:31-33, Nu.1:47-53, 3:10, 18:1-7, Le. 22:9-10).  There was a clear line that Adonai Himself drew between the priests and the people of Israel so that each could maintain their distinct yet mutually beneficial roles within a single, unified community.

In Exodus 19:5-6, Adonai issues a most unusual decree.  He says to all the people of Israel, “If you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”  So if the role of the priests within Israel is to act as mediators between Adonai and the people of Israel—set apart from within the nation to perform a sacred duty on behalf of all—what, then, does it mean that the nation of Israel (the Jewish people) as a whole is to be “a kingdom of priests and a holy nation… among all the peoples… [of] the earth”?  Adonai says, “I have called you in righteousness… and I will appoint you as a covenant to the people, as a light to the nations… O Jacob (Israel), my servant….” (Isaiah 42:6, 44:2, cf. 41:8, 42:1)  Is it possible that Adonai’s ancient plan to distinguish the Jewish people from all the nations of the earth is still in effect?  In the same way that the priests were distinguished from all the people of Israel, might the Jewish people still be set apart to perform the sacred duty of uniquely facilitating the restoration of all peoples to their Creator?  Could this be what the Master Yeshua meant when he said that “salvation is from the Jews”? (Jn.4:22)

As individuals, all believers in the Messiah Yeshua are “one in [Him]… Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise”—and in this respect, “there is neither Jew nor [Gentile].” (Ga.3:28-29)  And yet, a unique distinction remains for the Jewish people “to whom belongs the adoption as sons and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Torah and the temple service and the promises….” (Ro.9:3-4).  Let us wholeheartedly embrace the irrevocable, uncommon calling that God has sovereignly made to an imperfect, singular people for the greater, common good.  Like priests to a people, the Jewish people have a responsibility to serve the needs of the many nations of the earth… to facilitate the reconciliation of all people to God.  May “all Israel… be saved” (Ro.11:26) so that she will become the Messianic nation she was always meant to be, finally able to fulfill her role as “a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” to all mankind.  “For if their rejection be the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?” (Ro.11:15)

A: It was not until after The Flood, when Adonai made the covenant with Noah, that animals were even considered by God to be “food.”  This was a universal provision for all humankind, “Every creeping thing that is alive, to you it is for food… only flesh with its life — its blood — you are not [to] eat.” (Genesis 9:3-4, YLT)

But after Adonai delivered Israel from Egypt and gave her the covenant of Torah, he included a special update to the ”food laws” for her, as recorded in Leviticus 11, 20:25-26, and Deuteronomy 14:3-21.  As per these new instructions, the people of Israel were to distinguish between the kinds of animals that were permitted and forbidden for them as “food.”  The reason Israel was given these exceptional food laws is clearly explained in Leviticus 20:26, “And you are [to] be holy to Me; for I, Adonai, am holy; and I separate you from the [other] peoples to become Mine.” (YLT)  According to Exodus 33:16, Moshe clearly understood that the people of Israel were “distinguished… from all the people who are on the face of the [earth].” (NAS)  The Torah’s food laws — like the Torah itself — was given to sanctify and set Israel apart for its unique role among the nations.

Abstension from eating the forbidden animals according to Torah is therefore an enduring identity marker, a teacher of holiness, and an issue of covenantal faithfulness for the people of Israel — the Jewish people — Messianic, or otherwise.