Does YAH Care What Meats We Eat?

Understanding Clean and Unclean Animals in Scripture

The Bible makes a clear distinction between clean and unclean animals, specifying that certain meats are "unclean" or unfit for human consumption. These guidelines, given by Yahuah, include prohibitions against consuming pork, shellfish, and various other animals, sea creatures, and birds. Far from being merely ceremonial, these dietary laws reflect Yahuah's design for the animals He created and for the well-being of our digestive systems.

The Spiritual Significance of Clean and Unclean

In Scripture, the terms "clean" and "unclean" go beyond physical cleanliness. They are deeply connected to the concepts of purity and holiness as defined by Yahuah. The commandments concerning clean and unclean animals were not only important for dietary reasons but also for worship and obedience to Yahuah's will. The distinctions between clean and unclean animals are part of a broader call to holiness:

“For I am Yahuah your Elohim. And you shall set yourselves apart, and you shall be set-apart, for I am set-apart” (Leviticus 11:44, TS2009).

Yahuah's commandments are designed to guide His people in living a life that reflects His holiness. While the specific reasons for these dietary laws are not always fully explained, they are understood as beneficial and aligned with Yahuah's intention for His people:

“To guard the commands of Yahuah and His laws which I command you today for your good” (Deuteronomy 10:13, TS2009).

Clean and Unclean Animals: A Closer Look

The distinctions between clean and unclean animals are detailed in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14. These passages provide comprehensive instructions on which animals are permissible to eat and which are not:

• Land Animals: Clean animals must have cloven hooves and chew the cud. Examples include cattle, sheep, and deer. Unclean animals, such as pigs and rabbits, either do not have cloven hooves or do not chew the cud, making them unsuitable for consumption (Leviticus 11:3-7; Deuteronomy 14:6-8).

• Sea Creatures: Only fish with both fins and scales are considered clean. This includes fish like bass, cod, and salmon. Sea creatures like shellfish, shrimp, and catfish, which lack either fins or scales, are deemed unclean (Leviticus 11:9-12; Deuteronomy 14:9-10).

• Birds: Clean birds include those that do not prey on others, such as chicken, turkey, and quail. Birds of prey and scavengers, like eagles, vultures, and ravens, are considered unclean (Leviticus 11:13-19; Deuteronomy 14:11-20).

These dietary guidelines were established by Yahuah long before the Law of Moses and were observed even in the time of Noah, where distinctions between clean and unclean animals were recognized (Genesis 7:2).

The Importance of Obedience and Holiness

Obedience to Yahuah's dietary laws is not just about physical health but also about spiritual purity and holiness. Yahuah's care for what we eat stems from His desire for our well-being and spiritual wholeness. The Torah repeatedly emphasizes that these laws were given for our good and are a reflection of Yahuah's loving care for His people:

“And Yahuah commanded us to do all these laws, to fear Yahuah our Elohim, for our good always, to keep us alive, as it is today” (Deuteronomy 6:24, TS2009).

Yahuah's commandments are timeless, and while modern agricultural practices and cooking methods may change our perceptions of food, they do not alter the fundamental distinctions Yahuah established in creation.

Full Torah Instructions on Clean and Unclean Animals

To understand the full context of Yahuah's instructions regarding clean and unclean animals, it's essential to read the entire passages from the Torah. Below are the key chapters:

• Leviticus 11: This chapter provides a detailed list of clean and unclean animals, fish, birds, and insects. It also discusses the consequences of coming into contact with unclean animals.

• Deuteronomy 14:3-21: This passage reiterates the laws concerning clean and unclean animals, emphasizing the importance of maintaining dietary purity as a part of living a holy life before Yahuah.

Here is the full text from Leviticus 11 (TS2009):

"And Yahuah spoke to Mosheh and to Aharon, saying to them, “Speak to the children of Yisra’ĕl, saying, ‘These are the living creatures which you do eat among all the beasts that are on the earth: Whatever has a split hoof completely divided, chewing the cud, among the beasts, that you do eat. But, among those that chew the cud or those that have a split hoof completely divided, you do not eat: such as these: the camel, because it chews the cud but does not have a split hoof, it is unclean to you; and the rabbit, because it chews the cud but does not have a split hoof, it is unclean to you; and the hare, because it chews the cud but does not have a split hoof, it is unclean to you; and the pig, though it has a split hoof, completely divided, yet does not chew the cud, it is unclean to you. Their flesh you do not eat, and their carcasses you do not touch. They are unclean to you. These you do eat of all that are in the waters: anyone that has fins and scales in the waters, in the seas, or in the rivers, that you do eat. But all that have not fins and scales in the seas and in the rivers, all that move in the waters or any living being which is in the waters, they are an abomination to you. They are an abomination to you – of their flesh you do not eat, and their carcasses you abominate. All that have not fins or scales in the waters are an abomination to you."'” (Leviticus 11:1-12, TS2009).

The full chapter goes on to describe the clean and unclean birds, creeping creatures, and the laws regarding touching unclean carcasses. It concludes with a reiteration of Yahuah's call to holiness:

"For I am Yahuah who is bringing you up out of the land of Mitsrayim, to be your Elohim. And you shall be set-apart, for I am set-apart." (Leviticus 11:45, TS2009).

Deuteronomy 14 provides a similar summary of these laws, reinforcing the importance of dietary purity as part of the covenant relationship with Yahuah.

Clean Land Animals

These animals have cloven hooves and chew the cud.

1. Cattle (Oxen, Cow, Bull)
   Leviticus 11:3, Deuteronomy 14:4
   “Whatever has a split hoof completely divided, chewing the cud, among the beasts, that you do eat.”

2. Sheep
   Leviticus 11:3, Deuteronomy 14:4
   “These are the beasts which you do eat: ox, sheep…”

3. Goat
   Leviticus 11:3, Deuteronomy 14:4
   “Ox, sheep, and goat…”

4. Deer (Fallow Deer, Roe Deer)
   Deuteronomy 14:5
   “Deer, gazelle, and roebuck…”

5. Gazelle
   Deuteronomy 14:5
   “Gazelle, and roebuck…”

6. Roe Deer (Roebuck)
   Deuteronomy 14:5
   “Gazelle, roebuck, and wild goat…”

7. Wild Goat (Ibex)
   Deuteronomy 14:5
   “Roebuck, wild goat, and mountain goat…”

8. Mountain Goat (Chamois)
   Deuteronomy 14:5
   “Wild goat, mountain goat, and antelope…”

9. Antelope
   Deuteronomy 14:5
   “Mountain goat, antelope, and mountain sheep.”

10. Mountain Sheep
    Deuteronomy 14:5
    “Antelope, and mountain sheep.”

Clean Sea Creatures

These creatures live in the water and have both fins and scales.

1. Bass
   Leviticus 11:9, Deuteronomy 14:9
   “These you do eat of all that are in the waters: all that have fins and scales…”

2. Cod
   Leviticus 11:9, Deuteronomy 14:9
   “All that have fins and scales in the seas, in the rivers…”

3. Salmon
   Leviticus 11:9, Deuteronomy 14:9
   “All that have fins and scales in the waters…”

4. Trout
   Leviticus 11:9, Deuteronomy 14:9
   “In the seas and in the rivers, all that have fins and scales…”

5. Tilapia
   Leviticus 11:9, Deuteronomy 14:9
   “These you do eat of all that are in the waters: all that have fins and scales…”

Clean Birds

These are birds that are not predators or scavengers.

1. Chicken
   Deuteronomy 14:11
   “Any clean bird you do eat.”

2. Turkey
   Deuteronomy 14:11
   “Any clean bird you do eat.”

3. Quail
   Deuteronomy 14:11
   “Any clean bird you do eat.”

4. Dove
   Leviticus 12:8, Genesis 15:9
   “Any clean bird you do eat.”

5. Pigeon
   Leviticus 12:8, Genesis 15:9
   “Any clean bird you do eat.”

Unclean Land Animals

These are animals that either do not chew the cud or do not have a split hoof.

1. Camel
   Leviticus 11:4, Deuteronomy 14:7
   “The camel, because it chews the cud but does not have a split hoof, it is unclean to you.”

2. Rock Badger (Hyrax/Cony)
   Leviticus 11:5, Deuteronomy 14:7
   “The rock badger, because it chews the cud but does not have a split hoof, it is unclean to you.”

3. Rabbit (Hare)
   Leviticus 11:6, Deuteronomy 14:7
   “The hare, because it chews the cud but does not have a split hoof, it is unclean to you.”

4. Pig (Swine)
   Leviticus 11:7, Deuteronomy 14:8
   “The pig, though it has a split hoof, completely divided, yet does not chew the cud, it is unclean to you.”

Unclean Sea Creatures

These are creatures in the water that do not have both fins and scales.

1. All Shellfish (e.g., shrimp, crabs, lobsters, oysters)
   Leviticus 11:10-12, Deuteronomy 14:10
   “But all that have not fins and scales in the seas and in the rivers, of all that move in the waters or of any living being which is in the waters, they are an abomination to you.”

2. Catfish
   Leviticus 11:10-12, Deuteronomy 14:10
   “But all that have not fins and scales in the seas and in the rivers…”

3. Sharks
   Leviticus 11:10-12, Deuteronomy 14:10
   “All that have not fins and scales in the waters…”

Unclean Birds

These are birds that are predators, scavengers, or otherwise deemed unclean.

1. Eagle
   Leviticus 11:13, Deuteronomy 14:12
   “These you do abominate among the birds, they are not eaten, they are an abomination: the eagle…”

2. Vulture
   Leviticus 11:14, Deuteronomy 14:13
   “The black vulture, and the bearded vulture…”

3. Kite (Buzzard/Falcon)
   Leviticus 11:14, Deuteronomy 14:13
   “The kite, and the falcon after its kind…”

4. Raven
   Leviticus 11:15, Deuteronomy 14:14
   “Every raven after its kind…”

5. Ostrich
   Leviticus 11:16, Deuteronomy 14:15
   “The ostrich, and the nighthawk…”

6. Owl (Great Owl, Little Owl)
   Leviticus 11:16-17, Deuteronomy 14:15-16
   “The owl, the cormorant, and the great owl…”

7. Hawk
   Leviticus 11:16, Deuteronomy 14:15
   “The hawk after its kind…”

8. Cormorant
   Leviticus 11:17, Deuteronomy 14:17
   “The cormorant, and the pelican…”

9. Pelican
   Leviticus 11:18, Deuteronomy 14:17
   “The pelican, and the vulture…”

10. Stork
    Leviticus 11:19, Deuteronomy 14:18
    “The stork, the heron after its kind…”

11. Heron
    Leviticus 11:19, Deuteronomy 14:18
    “The heron after its kind…”

12. Bat
    Leviticus 11:19, Deuteronomy 14:18
    “And the bat.”

Unclean Flying Insects

These are insects that walk on all fours, except those with jointed legs above their feet for hopping.

1. Beetles, Flies, etc. (all insects except locusts, crickets, and grasshoppers)
   Leviticus 11:20-23
   “All flying insects that creep on all fours is an abomination to you.”

2. Unclean Creeping Creatures

These are various creeping creatures that are considered unclean.

1. Mole
   Leviticus 11:29-30
   “These are unclean to you among the creeping creatures that creep on the earth: the mole, the mouse, and the tortoise after its kind…”

2. Mouse
   Leviticus 11:29, Deuteronomy 14:7
   “The mouse…”

3. Lizard
   Leviticus 11:29-30
   “The gecko, the land crocodile, the sand reptile, the sand lizard, and the chameleon…”

4. Weasel
   Leviticus 11:29
   “The weasel…”

5. Rat
   Leviticus 11:29
   “The rat…”

6. Chameleon
   Leviticus 11:30
   “The chameleon…”

Yahuah's care about what animals we consume is rooted in His desire for our well-being and spiritual purity. His instructions on clean and unclean meats are given out of love, aiming for our health and spiritual wholeness. By adhering to these guidelines, we align ourselves with Yahuah's will and design, embracing the holiness He calls us to live out in every aspect of our lives.