Deuteronomy 14:1-21

The food laws in Leviticus and Deuteronomy have always been challenging to Christians.  What is the significance of these laws from Deuteronomy 14:1-21?  Ultimately these laws were meant to make a distinction between Israel, who was chosen by God and therefore holy, and the world, which is enslaved to death.  Not only that, but the doing away of the food laws shows that the nations are no longer in exile but brought near through the blood of Christ.