Clean Meat and Clean Animals

We are often asked, “What do you with alpacas?” which is quickly followed by, “Do you eat them?”

There are several ways to answer the latter question.

I could respond by noting that South American natives often eat their alpacas.

Or I could mention that there are no laws prohibiting me from eating my alpacas. But I would also point out that those will be some ultra expensive alpaca burgers!

However, I prefer to use the Bible as my authority on dietary information.

The Bible divides animals into clean animals and unclean animals. This designation has nothing to do with their hygienic state or their moral state. It also has nothing to do with their intrinsic value. Instead, the words clean and unclean refer to a state of ritual purity and ritual impurity, respectively.

In Leviticus 11:3-4, I am told that I can eat “whatever has a split hoof completely divided” and “chewing the cud”. I am also told that I should not eat “the camel because it chews the cud, but does not have a split hoof.”

What does this mean to me?

Chewing the cud is in reference to ruminant animals that bring up the contents of their stomachs into their mouth to chew some more and to thoroughly digest their food. Alpacas definitely chew their cuds.

But, what about the split hoof? At first glance, alpacas appear to have a split hoof. However, their feet are not completely wrapped with a hard covering that is totally split from front to back like sheep, goats and cows. Instead, alpacas have two padded toes. Thus, alpacas do not have a split hoof.

Furthermore, the Bible specifically states that the camel is an unclean animal. This reference is for all members of the camelid family confirming that alpaca meat is not clean meat.

So now I have Biblical evidence that I should not eat my alpacas – not that I ever could anyway.

Just one look into their precious faces makes me thrilled that the Creator of these adorable creatures wants me to use them for purposes other than food.

If you are Christian or Jewish, or if you just want to learn more about Biblical dietary information, I highly suggest that you read the book, “Holy Cow!” by Hope Egan.

She investigates the original meaning behind commonly misunderstood food Bible passages, and she reconciles the Old Testament and New Testament food passages extremely well.

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