Torah portion of Shemini

In this Shabbat’s Torah portion of Shemini (Leviticus 9:1–11:47), God introduces the laws of Kosher and identifies which animals are permissible and forbidden for consumption. Land animals must have split hooves and chew their cud, and fish must have fins and scales. Insects, reptiles, amphibians, and worms are forbidden except for four types of locusts. Birds are permissible except for 24 non-Kosher species listed in this Torah portion. These rules may seem outdated and difficult to observe;