The Literal Commandment
These you may eat, whatever is in the water: all that have fins and scales, those in the water, in the seas or in the rivers, you may eat. But whatever is in the seas and in the rivers that does not have fins and scales among all the teeming life of the water, and among all the living creatures that are in the water, they are detestable things to you, and they shall be abhorrent to you; you may not eat of their flesh, and their carcasses you shall detest. Whatever in the water does not have fins and scales is abhorrent to you. (Leviticus 11:9-12)
The literal commandment is that we should not eat water creatures that do not have fins and scales.
Messiah Says
Messiah implicitly affirmed this commandment when He spoke about the Law:
"Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:17-19)
Some have asked about Mark 7:19. Messiah was speaking of ritual impurity resulting from eating bread with unwashed hands. We recommend this detailed study of that passage if you have additional questions.
Pictures of Messiah
G-d created the heaven, the earth, the sea and everything that is in them. (Psalm 146:6) He did so with an intended structure and order. Part of that intended order was that certain creatures were made for food and others were not. This was recognized from the beginning even as early as Noah's time. He recognized the difference between clean and unclean animals. (Genesis 7:2-9).
In a similar manner, there is a certain individual in G-d's order who would save the world from sin: the Messiah Yeshua. There is no other person intended for that purpose. Attempting to find salvation in anyone (or anything) else is akin to eating a fish not intended for food or intending to marry your sister: G-d says 'no'.
How Messiah Fulfilled
We know that Messiah did not sin (Hebrews 4:15), and so we know Messiah fulfilled this commandment by not eating non-kosher (unsuitable) fish.
Traditional Observance
Traditional observance of this commandment is found in its literal sense: not eating non-kosher (unsuitable) fish. The signs that indicate which animals are kosher or not are found in Leviticus 21 and Deuteronomy 14. There are numerous additional and highly detailed stringencies and preparatory steps traditional Judaism has added to the process of determining whether or not fish is suitable for consumption.
Other Notes
We are able to fulfill this commandment today and should not eat non-kosher fish.
This does not mean, however, that non-Jewish believers are required to take on all the traditional Jewish stringencies of this commandment.
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