Why do Jews not eat Pork?

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Why do Jews not eat pork?

According to the Jewish law, pork is banned from consumption. Pork according to them is classified as ‘non-kosher food,. Kosher meat is the one prepared from ruminant animals which possess split hooves like in sheep, cows, deer and goats. Meat of camel and pigs do not come under kosher. classification Although pigs do have split hooves, they are not ruminant.

In the words of Maimonides, a Jewish philosopher, the only way to keep the body healthy is by avoiding pork although the dietary laws have existed against pork. He says that pigs are unclean and dirty hence, it is not good to use them for food. The Islamic law also stresses on prohibition of pork for food purpose. According to a quote in the Old Testament, people should not eat the flesh of swine and not even touch their dead bodies, Jews strictly follow not eating pork.

It is also believed that it is not good for nomadics to eat food that takes very long time to be cooked. The long time for cooking is needed to remove trichinosis bacteria that generally exist in pork. As Jews were known to be nomadic tribes during early times, they too avoided pork for this reason. The other reason for Jews to avoid pork was on health grounds. A little bit of the meat if taken as raw might lead to illness.

Pigs were important in pagan feasts. As Jews avoided pork, they were avoided by the pagan neighbours. Another reason for Jews to keep away from pork was their inability to use water to keep the pigs protected from skin bacteria. Due to lack of water in desert region, Jews could not afford to eat pork. Pigs are avoided for the reason that they will be unclean by eating human stools.The Quran also said that pigs are unclean that is why they are avoided by Jews as food.

Author: Hari M

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2 Responses

  1. carlos

    February 17, 2012 12:29 pm

    The Quran also said that pigs are unclean that is why they are avoided by Jews as food. The Quran is a muslim bible and not jew

    Reply
    • hoppity

      May 30, 2013 4:37 pm

      The 4th paragraph puts the dietary laws in the context of other belief systems. It is nulle part saying that the Quran is a Jewish text.

      Personally I thought this was a very informative article.

      Reply

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