Leviticus 11

Clean vs. Unclean Animals (vv. 1–23):

Land animals: Clean animals must have divided hooves and chew the cud (e.g., cows, sheep). Unclean animals include pigs, camels, and rabbits.

Water animals: Must have fins and scales to be clean (e.g., fish). Shellfish and other sea creatures without these features are unclean.

Birds: Certain birds (e.g., eagles, vultures, owls) are unclean. Clean birds are not listed but understood by tradition.

Insects: Generally unclean, but locusts, crickets, and grasshoppers are exceptions.

Unclean Animals by Contact (vv. 24–40):

Touching the carcasses of unclean animals makes one ceremonially unclean.

Certain dead animals can defile objects and food, especially if they fall into containers or onto food.

Some exceptions are noted (e.g., running water can cleanse).

Creeping Things (vv. 41–43):

Reptiles and other crawling creatures are considered unclean and not to be eaten.

Purpose of the Laws (vv. 44–47):

The reason for these rules is holiness: "Be holy, for I am holy."

These laws teach Israel to distinguish between clean and unclean, setting them apart as God’s people.

Spiritual Lessons:
Holiness involves daily obedience and awareness of God's standards.

God is concerned not only with worship but with all aspects of life, including diet and health.

These laws also had practical health benefits, though their primary purpose was spiritual separation.

For Christians today, dietary laws are not binding (see Acts 10, Mark 7), but the call to holiness and discernment remains.