But these are they of which ye shall not eat: the eagle, and the ossifrage, and the ospray,
This prohibition belongs to the Mosaic law that divided creatures into clean and unclean and forbade eating those classed as unclean. Among the birds thus forbidden were the eagle, the ossifrage, and the ospray. The same law likewise forbade swine and certain other animals whose flesh was unfit for food. The command was not an arbitrary exercise of authority but was given to preserve the life and health of the people.
The flesh of the forbidden creatures pollutes the blood and shortens life, while the simple and healthful food permitted keeps the blood pure. That permitted food preserves the faculties of mind and body. In specifying what might be eaten, the law named the animals least objectionable for food. Later Jewish leaders and Pharisees distorted these rules by adding excessive requirements and carrying the prohibitions of eating and drinking to unreasonable lengths. They strained water to remove even the smallest insect, and by such exactions made life a burden of ceremonies and restrictions that kept the mind under continual strain over what was clean and unclean.
This prohibition belongs to the Mosaic law that divided creatures into clean and unclean and forbade eating those classed as unclean. Among the birds thus forbidden were the eagle, the ossifrage, and the ospray. The same law likewise forbade swine and certain other animals whose flesh was unfit for food. The command was not an arbitrary exercise of authority but was given to preserve the life and health of the people.
The flesh of the forbidden creatures pollutes the blood and shortens life, while the simple and healthful food permitted keeps the blood pure. That permitted food preserves the faculties of mind and body. In specifying what might be eaten, the law named the animals least objectionable for food. Later Jewish leaders and Pharisees distorted these rules by adding excessive requirements and carrying the prohibitions of eating and drinking to unreasonable lengths. They strained water to remove even the smallest insect, and by such exactions made life a burden of ceremonies and restrictions that kept the mind under continual strain over what was clean and unclean.