Seder 83: The "Forbidden Impurity" of Leviticus 11:42-43

 Like chapters 12-15 of Leviticus, Leviticus 11 mentions some ways of contracting ritual impurity.  Specifically, touching or carrying the carcass of an impure animal, or a pure animal that had died of itself, resulted in a minor ritual impurity that could be dealt with by washing one's clothes (verses 24-25,27-28, 31).  Such rules on ritual impurity are connected with protecting the tabernacle or temple from defilement.  

Leviticus 11:42-43 speaks of a different kind of defilement associated with eating meat from impure animals.  Scholar Roy Gane points out that this kind of impurity is associated not with the holiness of the sanctuary, but with the holiness of the people themselves (see verses 44-45).  Gane also observes that the distinction between pure and impure animals predates the covenant at Sinai (Ge 7:2-3, 8-9; 8:20).

This kind of impurity can't be remedied with a simple washing, and it can't be passed along through contact with another person. Assuming this sin was not carried out in a defiant or "high-handed" manner, presumably it could have remedied with a purification offering.  

Gane, a Seventh-day Adventist, also argues that since Christians are also a holy people in covenant with God, the dietary rules of Leviticus 11 continue to have relevance for Christians.  That's a topic for another time.