Cheilev or Cheilev (Hebrew: חֵלֶב) in Judaism is the animal fat which was consumed on the mizbe'ah (altar) as for the korban ritual, and is therefore forbidden to be eaten by Jewish humans. Whereas Shuman are called those fats which were not offered, and therefore kosher for human consumption.
The punishment for eating chelev bemeizid (on purpose) is kares. The atonement for eating it by mistake is to bring a Korban Hattath (atonement sacrifice).
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Terminology
The prohibition on Chelev is only regarding those animal types which were used as Korban: cattle, lamb and goat, which are the only kosher domestic livestock. Fats from avians and deer may be eaten, and different types of bovinae are in state of doubt.
In order that fat should be considered Chelev it must look like a sheet of fats, like a thick fibrous skin that can be removed (see picture). Some tendons and muscles are also removed due to the rabbinic law, since they are neighboring and resolving some Chelev.
The Chelev must be removed by a qualified Menaker in a process called Nikkur (purging).
Kidney fats
The fats surrounding the kidneys are called Chelev haKloyoth, and are considered non kosher.
Abdominal fats
The sheet of fat which is covering the interior of the abdominopelvic cavity is real Chelev, besides at some regions where it is covered with steak, not with skin or tendon. However even where it is covered with meat, there is some fat which is exceptionally still forbidden, since could occasionally get uncovered while the animals walks. Therefore one must be well trained from qualified personnel in order to identify any kosher fat.
Digestive system fats
There are many fats around the digestive organs such as the stomach and intestines, and one must be highly educated and trained in order to identify them.
References
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