In Judaism, the concept of 'impure' or 'unclean' animals, plays a prominent role in Jewish law that specifies which foods are allowed (kosher) and which are forbidden to eat. In the Torah, some animals are named as pure or impure, whilst others are classified by other criteria that make them either pure or impure. To be 'pure' an animal must be slaughtered and cleaned according to specific regulations. Land-dwelling animals that both chew the cud and have cloven hooves, are kosher. Camels, hare, pigs and boars are considered unclean animals because they do not meet these characteristics. Date: