I came across an article recently and it is sadly a very widespread paper found on many sites. I hesitate to respond to it but it has to be done. Impertinent individuals are not worth the attention in speaking to but it's worth dealing with this for the sake of the brethren, especially since it is commonly used against Christians, namely "If this law applies, why not that one?", an argument which is often used as a means to silence Christians and those who do not study the Old Testament are doomed to failure of responding to it.
Here is the article in question:
http://www.tickld.com/x/the-next-time-someone-uses-the-bible-to-say-homosexuality-is-a-sin
Basically to give a summary of the article, it is asking an orthodox Jew by the name of Dr Laura Schlessinger a few questions, but it's hard to know whether or not it is silly or serious, but in any case, it has been used by many, including one of my own family members who shall remain anonymous.
Let us be clear on this.
I have said in the past that only the moral law minus the death penalty applies to us, however, there is a better perspective and I can sum it up like this to paraphrase Keith Thompson, "Anything from the New Covenant ratified by the apostles is to be obeyed". See Keith's video on the subject: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrsofbMg8qU
To give a few examples, blasphemy, witchcraft, idolatry, stealing, lying and sexual sins (homosexaulity included BTW) pertaining to morality are ratified in the new covenant and the sins in question should not be committed by Christians, let alone entertained by them as a life to emulate.
The thing that isn't done is putting someone to death under the New Covenant
Also, Not all the laws contained in the article above are ratified under the new covenant. See the following texts:
Lev.1:9, Lev.15:19- 24, Lev. 25:44, Exodus 35:2, Lev. 11:10, Lev. 21:20, Lev. 19:27, Lev 11:6-8, Lev 19:19, Lev.24:10-16, Lev. 20:14
Regarding a menstrating woman, Most wouldn't think to touch them whether they are ignorant of the law or not and most people with or without Christ don't entertain that thought, at least in our culture. I will concede however though there are some disgusting people who practice rainbow kissing (don't ask what that is).
Keep also in mind, childbirth only rendered a mother CEREMONIALLY unclean, not unclean morally. See Leviticus 12:
"12 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to the people of Israel, saying, If a woman conceives and bears a male child, then she shall be unclean seven days. As at the time of her menstruation, she shall be unclean. 3 And on the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. 4 Then she shall continue for thirty-three days in the blood of her purifying. She shall not touch anything holy, nor come into the sanctuary, until the days of her purifying are completed. 5 But if she bears a female child, then she shall be unclean two weeks, as in her menstruation. And she shall continue in the blood of her purifying for sixty-six days.
6 “And when the days of her purifying are completed, whether for a son or for a daughter, she shall bring to the priest at the entrance of the tent of meeting a lamb a year old for a burnt offering, and a pigeon or a turtledove for a sin offering, 7 and he shall offer it before the Lord and make atonement for her. Then she shall be clean from the flow of her blood. This is the law for her who bears a child, either male or female. 8 And if she cannot afford a lamb, then she shall take two turtledoves or two pigeons,[a] one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering. And the priest shall make atonement for her, and she shall be clean.”"
Some of the laws, namely the subject of unclean animals being consumed, be it shellfish or pigs were only unclean for the Israelites to eat, the prohibition for eating said animals is not given to Christians (Except for the consumption of blood which is prohibited from the time after the flood).
It is also important to note that the commands regarding the regulation of slaves has also been removed. The only injunction for Christians regarding slaves is for slaves to obey their masters and masters are to treat their slaves with respect and not oppress them. If there is an opportunity to leave a life of slavery, a person could seek it.
Also, Modern day Jews don't even keep slaves so that law would not be carried out in this day and age, especially in the Western World.
In Leviticus 1, if you actually read it, it says:
"1 The Lord called Moses and spoke to him from the tent of meeting, saying, 2 “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When any one of you brings an offering to the Lord, you shall bring your offering of livestock from the herd or from the flock.
3 “If his offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he shall offer a male without blemish. He shall bring it to the entrance of the tent of meeting, that he may be accepted before the Lord. 4 He shall lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him. 5 Then he shall kill the bull before the Lord, and Aaron's sons the priests shall bring the blood and throw the blood against the sides of the altar that is at the entrance of the tent of meeting. 6 Then he shall flay the burnt offering and cut it into pieces, 7 and the sons of Aaron the priest shall put fire on the altar and arrange wood on the fire. 8 And Aaron's sons the priests shall arrange the pieces, the head, and the fat, on the wood that is on the fire on the altar; 9 but its entrails and its legs he shall wash with water. And the priest shall burn all of it on the altar, as a burnt offering, a food offering[a] with a pleasing aroma to the Lord."
The animal was to be brought to the tent of meeting (later the temple) to give to God as a burnt offering, I hardly think your neighbors are going to complain about the smell if it is in the temple and even if they did they wouldn't be able to object. It isn't a law that applies to Christians anyway so it is inconsequential.
There is also no injunction or command in the New Testament against mixing seed, cattle or clothing materials either, though the reason they were there were to keep the Jews distinct from the nations. Crossbreeding of a sheep with a cow would be an abomination to this day however, but not two different cows like say a Freisian Cow with a Jersey Cow.
The Sabbath in Christ is Jesus Christ himself, he is the Sabbath rest of Christians. If a Christian wants to keep the Sabbath or NOT to keep the Sabbath, that is entirely his or her prerogative. I cannot legislate whether a Messianic Jew should or should not keep the Sabbath, they are free in God to keep it. See Romans 14 and Colossians 2. If a Christian wants to grow or not grow a beard, that's up to them and they are free to trim the temples in Christ.
I don't know the heart of the person who wrote the letter to Dr Schlessinger, but it's a letter that so many have used as a weapon and it should be put to rest.
I recommend looking at previous papers I wrote for further detail:
http://answering-judaism.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/observance-of-torah-demanded-of-gentiles.html
http://answering-judaism.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/observance-of-torah-demanded-of.html
http://answering-judaism.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/observance-of-torah-demanded-of_7.html
http://answering-judaism.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/what-does-acts-15-teach-does-it-teach.html
Any questions feel free to ask me below.
Answering Judaism.
