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Leviticus 9:1-11:47 Shemini

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Leviticus 3: Shemini


To Hear a Talk based on the Text below:
Shemini
Inauguration of Tabernacle; Death of the Sons of Aaron; Kosher Animals; David and Jerusalem
http://britam.org/Broadcasts/newBAMBI/ParShemini.mp3
(ca. 32 minutes)
Talk includes points not mentioned in the text.


Shemini
s.1
[Leviticus 9:1] AND IT CAME TO PASS ON THE EIGHTH DAY, THAT MOSES CALLED AARON AND HIS SONS, AND  THE ELDERS OF ISRAEL;
  #THE EIGHTH DAY.  Hebrew "Ha-Shmini" which is why this portion is called "Shemini" meaning eight. It was eight days after the inauguration and consecration of the Tabernacle and its appurtenances had been set in progress. 
                 
Rashi explains these passages as concentrating on Aaron.   Aaron was commanded to consecrate himself and his sons so that the people would be aware that they held their Priestly positions by command of the Almighty and not through self-election.  Aaron was commanded to sacrifice a bull-calf as a sin-offering  (Leviticus 9:8) to atone for whatever part he may have played in producing the golden bull-calf.  Through offering the sacrifices the Glory of the Almighty was supposed to appear to them, to elevate and uplift them (Leviticus 9:4).           
 
[Leviticus 9:2] AND HE SAID UNTO AARON, TAKE THEE A YOUNG CALF FOR A SIN OFFERING, AND A RAM FOR A  BURNT OFFERING, WITHOUT BLEMISH, AND OFFER THEM BEFORE THE LORD.                     
 
[Leviticus 9:3] AND UNTO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL THOU
SHALT SPEAK, SAYING, TAKE YE A KID OF THE GOATS  FOR A SIN OFFERING; AND A CALF AND A LAMB, BOTH OF THE FIRST YEAR, WITHOUT BLEMISH, FOR A BURNT OFFERING;                     
 
[Leviticus 9:4] ALSO A BULLOCK AND A RAM FOR PEACE OFFERINGS, TO SACRIFICE BEFORE THE LORD; AND A MEAT OFFERING MINGLED WITH OIL: FOR TO DAY THE LORD WILL APPEAR UNTO YOU.                     
 
[Leviticus 9:5] AND THEY BROUGHT THAT WHICH MOSES COMMANDED BEFORE THE TABERNACLE OF THE CONGREGATION: AND ALL THE CONGREGATION DREW NEAR AND STOOD BEFORE THE LORD.                     
 
[Leviticus 9:6] AND MOSES SAID, THIS IS THE THING WHICH THE LORD COMMANDED THAT YE SHOULD DO: AND THE GLORY OF THE LORD SHALL APPEAR UNTO YOU.                     
 
[Leviticus 9:7] AND MOSES SAID UNTO AARON, GO UNTO THE ALTAR, AND OFFER THY SIN OFFERING, AND THY BURNT OFFERING, AND MAKE AN ATONEMENT FOR THYSELF, AND FOR THE PEOPLE: AND OFFER THE OFFERING OF THE PEOPLE, AND MAKE AN ATONEMENT FOR THEM; AS THE LORD COMMANDED.                     
 
[Leviticus 9:8] AARON THEREFORE WENT UNTO THE ALTAR, AND SLEW THE CALF OF THE SIN OFFERING, WHICH WAS FOR HIMSELF.                     
 
[Leviticus 9:9] AND THE SONS OF AARON BROUGHT THE BLOOD UNTO HIM: AND HE DIPPED HIS FINGER IN THE BLOOD, AND PUT IT UPON THE HORNS OF THE ALTAR, AND POURED OUT THE BLOOD AT THE BOTTOM OF THE ALTAR:                     
 
[Leviticus 9:10] BUT THE FAT, AND THE KIDNEYS, AND THE
CAUL ABOVE THE LIVER OF THE SIN OFFERING, HE BURNT UPON THE ALTAR; AS THE LORD COMMANDED MOSES.                     
 
[Leviticus 9:11] AND THE FLESH AND THE HIDE HE BURNT WITH FIRE WITHOUT THE CAMP.                     
 
[Leviticus 9:12] AND HE SLEW THE BURNT OFFERING; AND AARON'S SONS PRESENTED UNTO HIM THE BLOOD,  WHICH HE SPRINKLED ROUND ABOUT UPON THE ALTAR.                     
 
[Leviticus 9:13] AND THEY PRESENTED THE BURNT OFFERING UNTO HIM, WITH THE PIECES THEREOF, AND THE HEAD: AND HE BURNT THEM UPON THE ALTAR.                     
 
[Leviticus 9:14] AND HE DID WASH THE INWARDS AND THE LEGS, AND BURNT THEM UPON THE BURNT OFFERING  ON THE ALTAR.                     
 
[Leviticus 9:15] AND HE BROUGHT THE PEOPLE'S OFFERING, AND TOOK THE GOAT, WHICH WAS THE SIN OFFERING  FOR THE PEOPLE, AND SLEW IT, AND OFFERED IT FOR SIN, AS THE FIRST.                     
 
[Leviticus 9:16] AND HE BROUGHT THE BURNT OFFERING, AND OFFERED IT ACCORDING TO THE MANNER.  

 
s.2
The dtails of how the sacrifice was carried out are given.
 
[Leviticus 9:17] AND HE BROUGHT THE MEAT OFFERING, AND TOOK AN HANDFUL THEREOF, AND BURNT IT UPON THE ALTAR, BESIDE THE BURNT SACRIFICE OF THE MORNING.                     
 
[Leviticus 9:18] HE SLEW ALSO THE BULLOCK AND THE RAM FOR A SACRIFICE OF PEACE OFFERINGS, WHICH WAS FOR THE PEOPLE: AND AARON'S SONS PRESENTED UNTO HIM THE BLOOD, WHICH HE SPRINKLED UPON THE ALTAR ROUND ABOUT,                     
 
[Leviticus 9:19] AND THE FAT OF THE BULLOCK AND OF THE RAM, THE RUMP, AND THAT WHICH
COVERETH THE INWARDS, AND THE KIDNEYS, AND THE CAUL ABOVE THE LIVER:                     
 
[Leviticus 9:20] AND THEY PUT THE FAT UPON THE BREASTS, AND HE BURNT THE FAT UPON THE ALTAR:                     
 
[Leviticus 9:21] AND THE BREASTS AND THE RIGHT SHOULDER AARON WAVED FOR A WAVE OFFERING BEFORE THE LORD; AS MOSES COMMANDED.                     
 
[Leviticus 9:22] AND AARON LIFTED UP HIS HAND TOWARD THE PEOPLE, AND BLESSED THEM, AND CAME DOWN FROM OFFERING OF THE SIN OFFERING, AND THE BURNT OFFERING, AND PEACE OFFERINGS.                     
 
[Leviticus 9:23] AND MOSES AND AARON WENT INTO THE TABERNACLE OF THE CONGREGATION, AND CAME OUT, AND BLESSED THE PEOPLE: AND THE GLORY OF THE LORD APPEARED UNTO ALL THE PEOPLE.          
           
 
s.3
We are then told how fire came down from heaven and burnt up the meat of sacrifice and the fat from the sacrifice that were both laid out on the altar.
 
[Leviticus 9:24] AND THERE CAME A FIRE OUT FROM BEFORE THE LORD, AND CONSUMED UPON THE ALTAR THE  BURNT OFFERING AND THE FAT: WHICH WHEN ALL THE PEOPLE SAW, THEY SHOUTED, AND FELL ON THEIR FACES.                     
 
[Leviticus 10:1] AND
NADAB AND ABIHU, THE SONS OF AARON, TOOK EITHER OF THEM HIS CENSER, AND PUT FIRE THEREIN, AND PUT INCENSE THEREON, AND OFFERED STRANGE FIRE BEFORE THE LORD, WHICH HE COMMANDED THEM NOT.                     
 
[Leviticus 10:2] AND THERE WENT OUT FIRE FROM THE LORD, AND DEVOURED THEM, AND THEY DIED BEFORE THE LORD. 

What the nature of this strange fire was is not clear.  It appears that they attempted to worship the Almighty in a forbidden way. After this event the Priests are warned upon pain of death (Leviticus 10:9) not to serve at the altar while intoxicated.  We should not worship God through the use of drugs, hypnotism, alcohol, etc or any medium that loosens control over our faculties. We should approach the Almighty within the framework he establishes for us.                
 
[Leviticus 10:3] THEN MOSES SAID UNTO AARON, THIS IS IT THAT THE LORD SPAKE, SAYING, I WILL BE SANCTIFIED IN THEM THAT COME NIGH ME, AND BEFORE ALL THE PEOPLE I WILL BE GLORIFIED. AND AARON HELD HIS PEACE.
 
    ##I WILL BE SANCTIFIED IN THEM THAT COME NIGH ME# They who serve the Almighty and come to represent HIS will or wish to draw closer to HIM may well be more privileged than others are but they will also have a greater obligation.
 #HELD HIS PEACE#.  Hebrew "VaYiDoM" from the word root "DOM" connoting "silence". From here we get the English words "dumb".
 
[Leviticus 10:4] AND MOSES CALLED MISHAEL AND ELZAPHAN, THE SONS OF UZZIEL THE UNCLE OF AARON,  AND SAID UNTO THEM, COME NEAR, CARRY YOUR BRETHREN FROM BEFORE THE SANCTUARY OUT OF THE CAMP.                     
 
[Leviticus 10:5] SO THEY WENT NEAR, AND CARRIED THEM IN THEIR COATS OUT OF THE CAMP; AS MOSES HAD SAID. 

The Sages taught that Nadab and Abihu had been killed by fire penetrating their inner bodies leaving the external corpse intact.                  
 
[Leviticus 10:6] AND MOSES SAID UNTO AARON, AND UNTO ELEAZAR AND UNTO ITHAMAR, HIS SONS, UNCOVER NOT YOUR HEADS, NEITHER REND YOUR CLOTHES; LEST YE DIE, AND LEST WRATH COME UPON ALL THE PEOPLE: BUT LET YOUR BRETHREN, THE WHOLE HOUSE OF ISRAEL, BEWAIL THE BURNING WHICH THE LORD HATH KINDLED.                     
 
[Leviticus 10:7] AND YE SHALL NOT GO OUT FROM THE DOOR OF THE TABERNACLE OF THE CONGREGATION, LEST YE DIE: FOR THE ANOINTING OIL OF THE LORD IS UPON YOU. AND THEY DID ACCORDING TO THE WORD OF MOSES.                     

 
[Leviticus 10:8] AND THE LORD SPAKE UNTO AARON, SAYING,                     
 
[Leviticus 10:9] DO NOT DRINK WINE NOR STRONG DRINK, THOU, NOR THY SONS WITH THEE, WHEN YE GO INTO THE TABERNACLE OF THE CONGREGATION, LEST YE DIE: IT SHALL BE A STATUTE FOR EVER THROUGHOUT YOUR GENERATIONS:                     
 
[Leviticus 10:10] AND THAT YE MAY PUT DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HOLY AND UNHOLY, AND BETWEEN UNCLEAN AND CLEAN;                     
 
[Leviticus 10:11] AND THAT YE MAY TEACH THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL ALL THE STATUTES WHICH THE LORD HATH  SPOKEN UNTO THEM BY THE HAND OF MOSES.                     
 
s.4
[Leviticus 10:12] AND MOSES SPAKE UNTO AARON, AND UNTO ELEAZAR AND UNTO ITHAMAR, HIS SONS THAT WERE LEFT, TAKE THE MEAT OFFERING THAT REMAINETH OF THE OFFERINGS OF THE LORD MADE BY FIRE, AND EAT IT WITHOUT LEAVEN BESIDE THE ALTAR: FOR IT IS MOST HOLY:                     
 
[Leviticus 10:13] AND YE SHALL EAT IT IN THE HOLY PLACE, BECAUSE IT IS THY DUE, AND THY SONS' DUE, OF THE SACRIFICES OF THE LORD MADE BY FIRE: FOR SO I AM COMMANDED.                     
 
[Leviticus 10:14] AND THE WAVE BREAST AND HEAVE SHOULDER SHALL YE EAT IN A CLEAN PLACE; THOU, AND THY SONS, AND THY DAUGHTERS WITH THEE: FOR THEY BE THY DUE, AND THY SONS' DUE, WHICH ARE GIVEN OUT OF THE SACRIFICES OF PEACE OFFERINGS OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL.                     
 
[Leviticus 10:15] THE HEAVE SHOULDER AND THE WAVE BREAST SHALL THEY BRING WITH THE OFFERINGS MADE BY FIRE OF THE FAT, TO WAVE IT FOR A WAVE OFFERING BEFORE THE LORD; AND IT SHALL BE
THINE, AND THY SONS' WITH THEE, BY A STATUTE FOR EVER; AS THE LORD HATH COMMANDED.                     
 
[Leviticus 10:16] AND MOSES DILIGENTLY SOUGHT THE GOAT OF THE SIN OFFERING, AND, BEHOLD, IT WAS BURNT: AND HE WAS ANGRY WITH
ELEAZAR AND ITHAMAR, THE SONS OF AARON WHICH WERE LEFT ALIVE, SAYING,                     
 
s.5
[Leviticus 10:17] WHEREFORE HAVE YE NOT EATEN THE SIN OFFERING IN THE HOLY PLACE, SEEING IT IS MOST  HOLY, AND GOD HATH GIVEN IT YOU TO BEAR THE INIQUITY OF THE CONGREGATION, TO MAKE ATONEMENT FOR THEM BEFORE THE LORD?                     
 
[Leviticus 10:18] BEHOLD, THE BLOOD OF IT WAS NOT BROUGHT IN WITHIN THE HOLY PLACE: YE SHOULD INDEED HAVE EATEN IT IN THE HOLY PLACE, AS I COMMANDED.                     
 
[Leviticus 10:19] AND AARON SAID UNTO MOSES, BEHOLD, THIS DAY HAVE THEY OFFERED THEIR SIN OFFERING  AND THEIR BURNT OFFERING BEFORE THE LORD; AND SUCH THINGS HAVE BEFALLEN ME: AND IF I HAD EATEN THE SIN OFFERING TO DAY, SHOULD IT HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD?                     
 
[Leviticus 10:20] AND WHEN MOSES HEARD THAT, HE WAS CONTENT.                     
 
s.6
[Leviticus 11:1] AND THE LORD
SPAKE UNTO MOSES AND TO AARON, SAYING UNTO THEM,                     
 
[Leviticus 11:2] SPEAK UNTO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, SAYING, THESE ARE THE BEASTS WHICH YE SHALL EAT  AMONG ALL THE BEASTS THAT ARE ON THE EARTH.                     
 
[Leviticus 11:3] WHATSOEVER
PARTETH THE HOOF, AND IS CLOVENFOOTED, AND CHEWETH THE CUD, AMONG THE BEASTS, THAT SHALL YE EAT.                     
 
[Leviticus 11:4] NEVERTHELESS THESE SHALL YE NOT EAT OF THEM THAT CHEW THE CUD, OR OF THEM THAT DIVIDE  THE HOOF: AS THE CAMEL, BECAUSE HE
CHEWETH THE CUD, BUT DIVIDETH NOT THE HOOF; HE IS UNCLEAN UNTO YOU.                     
 
[Leviticus 11:5] AND THE CONEY, BECAUSE HE
CHEWETH THE CUD, BUT DIVIDETH NOT THE HOOF; HE IS UNCLEAN UNTO YOU.                     
 
[Leviticus 11:6] AND THE HARE, BECAUSE HE
CHEWETH THE CUD, BUT DIVIDETH NOT THE HOOF; HE IS UNCLEAN UNTO YOU.                     
 
[Leviticus 11:7] AND THE SWINE, THOUGH HE DIVIDE THE HOOF, AND BE
CLOVENFOOTED, YET HE CHEWETH NOT THE CUD; HE IS UNCLEAN TO YOU.                     
 
[Leviticus 11:8] OF THEIR FLESH SHALL YE NOT EAT, AND THEIR
CARCASE SHALL YE NOT TOUCH; THEY ARE UNCLEAN TO YOU.                     
 
[Leviticus 11:9] THESE SHALL YE EAT OF ALL THAT ARE IN THE WATERS: WHATSOEVER HATH FINS AND SCALES IN THE WATERS, IN THE SEAS, AND IN THE RIVERS, THEM SHALL YE EAT.                     
 
[Leviticus 11:10] AND ALL THAT HAVE NOT FINS AND SCALES IN THE SEAS, AND IN THE RIVERS, OF ALL THAT MOVE IN THE WATERS, AND OF ANY LIVING THING WHICH IS IN THE WATERS, THEY SHALL BE AN ABOMINATION UNTO YOU:                     
 
[Leviticus 11:11] THEY SHALL BE EVEN AN ABOMINATION UNTO YOU; YE SHALL NOT EAT OF THEIR FLESH, BUT YE   SHALL HAVE THEIR
CARCASES IN ABOMINATION.                     
 
[Leviticus 11:12] WHATSOEVER HATH NO FINS NOR SCALES IN THE WATERS, THAT SHALL BE AN ABOMINATION UNTO YOU.                     
 
[Leviticus 11:13] AND THESE ARE THEY WHICH YE SHALL HAVE IN ABOMINATION AMONG THE FOWLS; THEY SHALL NOT BE EATEN, THEY ARE AN ABOMINATION: THE EAGLE, AND THE
OSSIFRAGE, AND THE OSPRAY,                     
 
[Leviticus 11:14] AND THE VULTURE, AND THE KITE AFTER HIS KIND;                     
 
[Leviticus 11:15] EVERY RAVEN AFTER HIS KIND;                     
 
[Leviticus 11:16] AND THE OWL, AND THE NIGHT HAWK, AND THE
CUCKOW, AND THE HAWK AFTER HIS KIND,                     
 
[Leviticus 11:17] AND THE LITTLE OWL, AND THE CORMORANT, AND THE GREAT OWL,                     
 
[Leviticus 11:18] AND THE SWAN, AND THE PELICAN, AND THE
GIER EAGLE,                     
 
[Leviticus 11:19] AND THE STORK, THE HERON AFTER HER KIND, AND THE LAPWING, AND THE BAT.                     
 
[Leviticus 11:20] ALL FOWLS THAT CREEP, GOING UPON ALL FOUR, SHALL BE AN ABOMINATION UNTO YOU.                     
 
[Leviticus 11:21] YET THESE MAY YE EAT OF EVERY FLYING CREEPING THING THAT
GOETH UPON ALL FOUR, WHICH HAVE LEGS ABOVE THEIR FEET, TO LEAP WITHAL UPON THE EARTH;                     
 
[Leviticus 11:22] EVEN THESE OF THEM YE MAY EAT; THE LOCUST AFTER HIS KIND, AND THE BALD LOCUST AFTER HIS KIND, AND THE BEETLE AFTER HIS KIND, AND THE GRASSHOPPER AFTER HIS KIND.                     
 
[Leviticus 11:23] BUT ALL OTHER FLYING CREEPING THINGS, WHICH HAVE FOUR FEET, SHALL BE AN ABOMINATION UNTO YOU.                     
 
[Leviticus 11:24] AND FOR THESE YE SHALL BE UNCLEAN: WHOSOEVER
TOUCHETH THE CARCASE OF THEM SHALL BE UNCLEAN UNTIL THE EVEN.                     
 
[Leviticus 11:25] AND WHOSOEVER
BEARETH OUGHT OF THE CARCASE OF THEM SHALL WASH HIS CLOTHES, AND BE UNCLEAN UNTIL THE EVEN.                     
 
[Leviticus 11:26] THE
CARCASES OF EVERY BEAST WHICH DIVIDETH THE HOOF, AND IS NOT CLOVENFOOTED, NORCHEWETH THE CUD, ARE UNCLEAN UNTO YOU: EVERY ONE THAT TOUCHETH THEM SHALL BE UNCLEAN.                     
 
[Leviticus 11:27] AND WHATSOEVER
GOETH UPON HIS PAWS, AMONG ALL MANNER OF BEASTS THAT GO ON ALL  FOUR, THOSE ARE UNCLEAN UNTO YOU: WHOSO TOUCHETH THEIR CARCASE SHALL BE UNCLEAN UNTIL THE EVEN.                     
 
[Leviticus 11:28] AND HE THAT
BEARETH THE CARCASE OF THEM SHALL WASH HIS CLOTHES, AND BE UNCLEAN UNTIL THE EVEN: THEY ARE UNCLEAN UNTO YOU.                     
 
[Leviticus 11:29] THESE ALSO SHALL BE UNCLEAN UNTO YOU AMONG THE CREEPING THINGS THAT CREEP UPON THE EARTH; THE WEASEL, AND THE MOUSE, AND THE TORTOISE AFTER HIS KIND,                     
 
[Leviticus 11:30] AND THE FERRET, AND THE CHAMELEON, AND THE LIZARD, AND THE SNAIL, AND THE MOLE.                     
 
[Leviticus 11:31] THESE ARE UNCLEAN TO YOU AMONG ALL THAT CREEP: WHOSOEVER DOTH TOUCH THEM, WHEN THEY BE DEAD, SHALL BE UNCLEAN UNTIL THE EVEN.                     
 
[Leviticus 11:32] AND UPON WHATSOEVER ANY OF THEM, WHEN THEY ARE DEAD, DOTH FALL, IT SHALL BE  UNCLEAN; WHETHER IT BE ANY VESSEL OF WOOD, OR RAIMENT, OR SKIN, OR SACK, WHATSOEVER VESSEL IT BE, WHEREIN ANY WORK IS DONE, IT MUST BE PUT INTO WATER, AND IT SHALL BE UNCLEAN UNTIL THE EVEN; SO IT  SHALL BE CLEANSED.                     
 

s.7
[Leviticus 11:33] AND EVERY EARTHEN VESSEL, WHEREINTO ANY OF THEM FALLETH, WHATSOEVER IS IN IT SHALL BE UNCLEAN; AND YE SHALL BREAK IT.                     
 
[Leviticus 11:34] OF ALL MEAT WHICH MAY BE EATEN, THAT ON WHICH SUCH WATER COMETH SHALL BE UNCLEAN: AND ALL DRINK THAT MAY BE DRUNK IN EVERY SUCH VESSEL SHALL BE UNCLEAN.                     
 
[Leviticus 11:35] AND EVERY THING WHEREUPON ANY PART OF THEIR
CARCASE FALLETH SHALL BE UNCLEAN;  WHETHER IT BE OVEN, OR RANGES FOR POTS, THEY SHALL BE BROKEN DOWN: FOR THEY ARE UNCLEAN AND SHALL BE UNCLEAN UNTO YOU.                     
 
[Leviticus 11:36] NEVERTHELESS A FOUNTAIN OR PIT, WHEREIN THERE IS PLENTY OF WATER, SHALL BE CLEAN: BUT THAT WHICH
TOUCHETH THEIR CARCASE SHALL BE UNCLEAN.                     
 
[Leviticus 11:37] AND IF ANY PART OF THEIR
CARCASE FALL UPON ANY SOWING SEED WHICH IS TO BE SOWN, IT SHALL BE CLEAN.                     
 
[Leviticus 11:38] BUT IF ANY WATER BE PUT UPON THE SEED, AND ANY PART OF THEIR
CARCASE FALL THEREON, IT SHALL BE UNCLEAN UNTO YOU.                     
 
[Leviticus 11:39] AND IF ANY BEAST, OF WHICH YE MAY EAT, DIE; HE THAT
TOUCHETH THE CARCASE THEREOF  SHALL BE UNCLEAN UNTIL THE EVEN.                     
 
[Leviticus 11:40] AND HE THAT
EATETH OF THE CARCASE OF IT SHALL WASH HIS CLOTHES, AND BE UNCLEAN UNTIL THE EVEN: HE ALSO THAT BEARETH THE CARCASE OF IT SHALL WASH HIS CLOTHES, AND BE UNCLEAN UNTIL THE                      EVEN.                     
 
[Leviticus 11:41] AND EVERY CREEPING THING THAT
CREEPETH UPON THE EARTH SHALL BE AN ABOMINATION; IT SHALL NOT BE EATEN.                     
 
[Leviticus 11:42] WHATSOEVER
GOETH UPON THE BELLY, AND WHATSOEVER GOETH UPON ALL FOUR, OR WHATSOEVER HATH MORE FEET AMONG ALL CREEPING THINGS THAT CREEP UPON THE EARTH, THEM YE SHALL  NOT EAT; FOR THEY ARE AN ABOMINATION.                     
 
[Leviticus 11:43] YE SHALL NOT MAKE YOURSELVES ABOMINABLE WITH ANY CREEPING THING THAT
CREEPETH, NEITHER SHALL YE MAKE YOURSELVES UNCLEAN WITH THEM, THAT YE SHOULD BE DEFILED THEREBY.                     
 
[Leviticus 11:44] FOR I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD: YE SHALL THEREFORE SANCTIFY YOURSELVES, AND YE SHALL  BE HOLY; FOR I AM HOLY: NEITHER SHALL YE DEFILE YOURSELVES WITH ANY MANNER OF CREEPING THING THAT 
CREEPETH UPON THE EARTH.                     
 
[Leviticus 11:45] FOR I AM THE LORD THAT
BRINGETH YOU UP OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT, TO BE YOUR GOD:  YE SHALL THEREFORE BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.                     
 
[Leviticus 11:46] THIS IS THE LAW OF THE BEASTS, AND OF THE FOWL, AND OF EVERY LIVING CREATURE THAT
MOVETH IN THE WATERS, AND OF EVERY CREATURE THAT CREEPETH UPON THE EARTH:                     
 
[Leviticus 11:47] TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE UNCLEAN AND THE CLEAN, AND BETWEEN THE BEAST THAT MAY BE EATEN AND THE BEAST THAT MAY NOT BE EATEN.                     

 
Unclean animals
http://
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unclean_animals
Judaism

[Extracts Only]

In Judaism, Kashrut (kosher) is the set of dietary laws governing what can or cannot be consumed. These laws are based upon the Torah and the Talmud. According to Jewish law, mammals that both chew their cud (ruminate) and have cloven hooves are kosher[1]. Animals with one characteristic but not the other (the camel, the hyrax and the hare because they have no cloven hooves, and the pig because it does not ruminate) are specifically excluded[2] (Leviticus 11:38).[3] Jews are forbidden from eating pork, as swine are considered to be unclean. In the context of Judaism, the books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy from the Hebrew Bible specify what must not be consumed.

The Book of Leviticus states:
Nevertheless these shall ye not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the hoof: as the camel, because he
cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you.
Leviticus 11:4
 
Mice are forbidden "crawling creatures" (Leviticus 11:29).
Bats are forbidden (Leviticus 11:19).

These are the animals considered to be unclean according to Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14:
Bat
Camel
Chameleon
Coney
Cormorant
Cuckow
Eagle
Ferret
Gier Eagle[1]
Glede
Great Owl[2]
Hare
Hawk
Heron
Kite
Lapwing
Little Owl
Lizard
Mole
Mouse
Night Hawk
Osprey
Ostrich
Ossifrage
Owl
Pelican
Raven
Snail
Stork
Swine
Tortoise
Vulture
Weasel
 
Crabs are considered unclean because they have "neither fins nor scales".

It should be noted that the translations of some of the aforementioned animals from the Hebrew are a matter of dispute in classical Jewish commentaries. With respect to birds the Torah only specifies ones which may not be eaten and the translations of these are also a matter of contention in traditional Jewish texts so it is common practice to eat only birds with a clear tradition of being kosher,
eg. domestic fowl.

Many additional animals are not mentioned specifically by name, but from the characteristics mentioned in the books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy, may also be considered to be unclean.
For example, all shellfish are generally considered unclean.

Leviticus 11:2023 permits certain kinds of "winged swarming things" (i.e. insects) while prohibiting others; however, today rabbis are uncertain as to which insects were specifically permitted, so now all insects are prohibited to be on the safe side.[3] An exception to this is a number of Yemenite communities that have retained their own traditions with respect to kosher locusts. As a result these particular locusts (
Schistocerca gregaria) are considered kosher for the specific community which has the tradition.
Bees' honey is, however, considered kosher[4] because the honey is not made by bees, but is rather collected Nectar and concentrated by bees. There are no exceptions to the rule that any product of a non-kosher animal is also non-kosher, for example gelatin.

In order to eat an animal or bird it must be slaughtered according to Jewish law (
Shechita). This involves cutting the animal's trachea and esophagus, the carotid artery and jugular vein are also severed in this operation as are most arteries and veins leading to and from the brain with a sharp knife that has been thoroughly checked for imperfections beforehand. The cut must be swift and without pause, to avoid tearing, and must be performed by an expert.

Fish and Locusts must be killed before allowed to be eaten, but no particular method has been specified in Jewish law.

The animal must then be determined to be free of
treifot which are 70 different categories of injuries, diseases and abnormalities whose presence renders the animal non-kosher.

Not all parts of the animal may be eaten; certain fats, known as
Chelev, may not be eaten. As much blood as possible must be removed from the meat, either by soaking, salting and rinsing or by broiling over a fire. In addition the sciatic nerve in each leg and the fat surrounding the nerve must be removed.

It is forbidden to cook, eat, or derive any benefit from mixtures of milk and meat (and their by-products). It is also forbidden to cook or eat dairy products together with poultry as a rabbinic injunction against mixing milk and meat.

Examples of Kosher animals

This list contains animals which, while not specified in the Hebrew Bible, are considered to be clean, based on characteristics described in Leviticus 11.
American Bison
Antelope (all species)
Deer (all species)
Goat
Sheep
Pronghorn
Reindeer/caribou
Water Buffalo

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