This parasha enumerates the living beings whose consumption is permitted and those whose consumption is forbidden. These prohibitions apply exclusively to the Israelite people. The Sages explain, by means of a parable, why it is specifically the Israelites who must eat kosher food.

This can be explained by means of a parable. To what is this matter comparable? It is comparable to a doctor who went to visit two ill people. He saw one of them in danger [i.e., close to death]. He said to the members of his household: Give him any food he requests. He saw the other one, who was destined to survive. He said to the members of his household: He may eat this kind of food, but he may not eat that kind of food. They said to the doctor: What is this? You told this one that he may eat any food that he requests, but you told the other one not to eat such and such. The doctor said to them: Concerning the one who will live, I said: Eat this but do not eat that. But concerning the one who will die, I said to them: Give him anything he requests, because he is going to die soon anyway [so there is no reason to deprive him]. So too, the Holy One, blessed be He, permitted worshippers of stars and constellations to eat repugnant creatures and creeping animals. But to the Israelites, who are destined to live in the World to Come, He said: “This you may eat,” and “these you shall not eat.” Why? Because they are destined to live in the World to Come, as it is stated: “But you, who cleave to the Lord your God, all of you live today” (Deuteronomy 4:4). (Tanĥuma, Shemini)