Leviticus 11

God establishes the extensive laws concerning clean and unclean animals to be eaten. The primary rule for land animals is that they must both chew the cud and have a completely divided (cloven) hoof. Rules are also given for sea creatures (must have fins and scales) and birds (specific forbidden species). These dietary laws were a key way God set the Israelites apart from other nations, teaching them about holiness and discipline through their daily lives.