The flesh of these you shall not eat, nor shall you touch their carcasses, because they are unclean to you.
מִבְּשָׂרָם֙ לֹ֣א תֹאכֵ֔לוּ וּבְנִבְלָתָ֖ם לֹ֣א תִגָּ֑עוּ טְמֵאִ֥ים הֵ֖ם לָכֶֽם׃
2 Church Fathers comment on this verse
What constitutes impurity? It is sin, evil, greed, and deceit. The Old Testament rituals of purification served as representations of genuine cleansing. Scripture warns, “To corpses, touch them not.” Similarly, sin is like that decaying, lifeless matter.
What is the significance of ‘the divided hoof and the chewing of the cud’? The ‘divided hoof’ represents, in my view, the ability to discern righteous and unrighteous actions. Furthermore, it symbolizes living not solely in the present world but also with an awareness of the age to come, dedicating the necessary aspects of each life stage—both soul and body—and focusing appropriately on what pertains to each. The phrase ‘chewing the cud’ indicates a deep engagement with the Divine teachings. Just as sheep and similar creatures continuously ruminate their food, the devoted and God-fearing individual calls out to the Almighty, expressing, ‘I love Thy law, O Lord; all the day long it is my meditation’ (Ps. 118:97).
As some animals exhibit both a divided hoof and the habit of chewing cud, while others, like donkeys, elk, horses, and more, do not possess these traits, there are those among humankind who embody similar distinctions. Some possess a divided hoof yet do not ruminate, like pigs; others burp up their food without a divided hoof, akin to camels and hares. Thus, we can identify among people those who are exemplary in their pursuit of Divine teachings and excel in virtue, juxtaposed with those who may speak the Divine words without truly understanding or practicing them, resembling the camel. Additionally, there are individuals who have yet to experience godliness or begin their journey in learning the Divine precepts, focusing instead on honorable actions, while some are entirely devoid of faith and completely lack good works.
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS