Chelev

Chelev (Hebrew: חֵלֶב‎, kheylev or ẖelev) is the term given to some kinds of animal fats in Judaism.

There is a prohibition in the Torah for Jews and Israelites against eating chelev, a form of animal fat (Leviticus 7:23). Only the chelev of animals that are of the sort from which offerings can be brought in the Tabernacle or Temple are prohibited (Leviticus 7:25). The prohibition of eating chelev is also, in addition to the Torah, one of the 613 commandments that, according to the Talmud, were given to Moses on Mount Sinai.

Hebrew Bible

Hebrew language

In the Hebrew language the word for fat is (Hebrew: חֵלֶב‎ kheylev or ẖelev, often transliterated khelev or chelev) in the Hebrew Bible this is first used for the "fats" of Abel's offering, and most often used for fats of animal sacrifices on the altar of the Tabernacle or Temple. The same word is also used in the phrase "the fat of the land."

Rabbinical interpretation

The punishment for eating chelev bemeizid (on purpose) is kareth. The atonement for eating it by mistake is to bring a korban hattath (atonement sacrifice).