Clean Food Policy

Our clean food policy is based on the dietary laws given by Yahweh in the Torah. These guidelines are not merely ceremonial but represent wisdom for healthy living and obedience to our Creator. All meals during Feast of Tabernacles 2025 will strictly follow these biblical guidelines as outlined in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14

"You shall not eat any abomination. These are the animals you may eat: the ox, the sheep, the goat..." - Deuteronomy 14:3-4

🍖 Clean Meats - What We Serve

According to Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14, these are the clean animals we will serve:

🐄 Land Animals

  • Cattle (Beef)
  • Sheep
  • Goats (Chevron)
  • Deer (Venison)
  • Gazelle, Roebuck (Other clean wild animals)

Criteria: Animals that both chew cud AND have split hooves

🐔 Birds

  • Chicken
  • Turkey (Including turkey bacon and sausage)
  • Duck
  • Goose
  • Dove, Pigeon (Clean birds)
  • Quail (Small game birds)

Criteria: Birds that are not birds of prey or scavengers

🐟 Fish & Seafood

  • Salmon
  • Tuna
  • Bass, Trout (Fresh water fish)
  • Cod, Haddock (Salt water fish)
  • Sardines, Anchovies (Small fish with scales)
  • Mackerel (Ocean fish)

Criteria: Fish that have BOTH fins AND scales

🚫 Unclean Foods - What We Avoid

The following foods are considered unclean according to Scripture and will NOT be served:

🐷 Forbidden Land Animals

  • Pork: Bacon, ham, pork chops, sausage, pepperoni, gelatin
  • Rabbit: Does not chew cud
  • Rodents: Mice, rats, squirrels
  • Carnivores: Bears, lions, dogs, cats
  • Rock Badger: Chews cud but no split hoof

Note: We use turkey bacon/sausage as clean alternatives

🦅 Forbidden Birds

  • Birds of Prey: Eagles, hawks, falcons
  • Scavengers: Vultures, buzzards
  • Water Birds: Pelicans, cormorants
  • Night Birds: Owls, nighthawks
  • Ostrich: Listed as unclean

🦐 Forbidden Seafood

  • Shellfish: Shrimp, lobster, crab
  • Mollusks: Clams, oysters, mussels
  • Scaleless Fish: Catfish, eels, sharks
  • Sea Mammals: Whales, dolphins
  • Squid & Octopus: No fins or scales

🐛 Other Forbidden Foods

  • Most Insects: (Except locusts, grasshoppers, crickets)
  • Blood: From any animal

🛒 Shopping Guidelines

When purchasing food for our community meals, please follow these guidelines:

Reading Labels

  • Look for hidden pork products (gelatin, lard)
  • Check for clean kosher certification when uncertain

Common Substitutions

  • Bacon: Use turkey bacon instead
  • Sausage: Use turkey or beef sausage
  • Gelatin: Use fish or plant-based alternatives
  • Lard: Use vegetable oils or butter

Safe Brands & Sources

  • Look for kosher-certified products
  • Know your trusted suppliers
  • When in doubt, ask the meal coordinators

📖 Scripture References

For complete understanding, please study these biblical passages:

Leviticus 11

The comprehensive list of clean and unclean animals, including land animals, birds, and sea creatures.

"These you may eat of all that are in the waters: whatever has fins and scales in the waters, in the seas or in the rivers—that you may eat." - Leviticus 11:9

Deuteronomy 14:3-21

Restatement of dietary laws with additional context and reasoning.

"For you are a holy people to Yahweh your Elohim, and Yahweh has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples who are on the face of the earth." - Deuteronomy 14:2

❓ Questions & Clarifications

If you have questions about whether a specific food is clean or unclean:

  • Consult the meal coordinator (Krysten Lucas) or elders
  • Reference the complete biblical passages
  • When in doubt, choose clearly clean alternatives
  • Ask for guidance rather than assume

Our goal is to honor Yahweh through obedience to His dietary laws while ensuring everyone enjoys delicious, nourishing meals during our celebration.