First Christian Voices: Practices of the Apostolic Fathers

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First Christian Voices

Moreover, “You will not eat,” he says, “the hare” ( Lev 11:6; Deut 14:7 ). Why? Do not become a corrupter of children, neither resemble such people. For the rabbit multiplies the places of its conception year by year. For as many years as it lives so many places it has. Moreover, “You will not eat the hyena.” 3 He means that you must not be an adulterer, nor a corrupter, nor resemble those who are such. Why? Because that animal changes its sex annually. At one time it is male and at another it is female. Moreover, he has rightly detested the weasel. For he means that you will not be like those who we hear of who commit wickedness with the mouth on account of their uncleanness. Neither will you be joined to those impure women who commit sin with the mouth. For this animal conceives by the mouth. Moses then issued three doctrines with a spiritual significance concerning meats. Yet, they understood them according to fleshly desire as if he had spoken of actual meats. David, however, comprehends the knowledge of the three doctrines and speaks in this way, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,” just as fish go in darkness to the depths, “nor stands in the way of sinners,” just as those who profess to fear the Lord, but go astray like swine, “nor sits in the seat of scoffers,” just as those birds that lie in wait for prey (Ps 1:1). Take a full and firm grasp of this spiritual knowledge. But Moses says still further, “You will eat every split-hoofed animal that ruminates” ( Lev 11:3 ). What does he mean? He means that the one who receives food recognizes Him that nourishes him, and being satisfied by Him is visibly made glad. He spoke well with respect to the commandment.

3 Source unknown.