Origin
Jews have been following the dietary laws and dietary customs of Judaism since the days of Moses. The dietary laws, referred to as Kashrut and known in English as “keeping kosher”, involve keeping oneself separate from and avoiding the consumption of certain animals and prohibited substances, including pork. In the Bible, Leviticus 11:7 states that “And the pig, because it divides the hoof, yet does not chew the cud, is unclean for you. You shall not eat of their flesh, and you shall not touch their carcasses”. This commandment is seen as a symbolic reflection of Judaism’s emphasis on cleanliness and the rejection of materialistic indulgence and waste.
The basis of kosher dietary laws surround the notion of separating “clean” and “unclean” animals, and preserving a higher level of holiness in terms of what is eaten. The Bible explained to the Jewish people which types of animals may be eaten and which are forbidden, as well as defined specific grains, fruits and vegetables as permissible or forbidden. As such, abstaining from pork is seen as a mark of observance and reverence to God, and a practice of maintaining one’s purity before Him.
Nutritional Benefits
Regarding strict observance of the dietary laws, many are aware of the nutritional benefits of avoiding pork consumption. Pork is high in unhealthy fat and cholesterol. In addition, due to improper rearing and cooking practices, it is associated with the risk of contracting trichinosis, a deadly parasite found in some kinds of wild animals, such as wild pigs and certain species of bears. Furthermore, pork is contaminated with a host of other diseases, viruses and bacteria, thereby making it a source of food that is not beneficial to the health of human beings.
In comparison to other types of meat, such as chicken, beef and lamb, which are raised in a humane and healthy manner, pork is of little nutritional value. The raising and production of pork is expensive and the meat is laden with excess fat, hormones, and other chemicals. Additionally, cooking pork thoroughly kills any parasites but also generates cholesterol-filled greases and other offensive smells.
Religious Practices
From a religious perspective, pork-eating is considered highly offensive by the religious communities of certain religions. In Judaism, the Torah particularly forbids it. This religious tradition has been passed down from generation to generation, and is considered a major pillar of the faith. Moreover, in many regards, pork-eating is seen as a direct violation of the normative tenets of Judaism, specifically because it entails the consumption of what is considered an “unclean” animal. The avoidance of pork, then, is seen as an exercise in faith and an enactment of the divine will expressed through the Torah.
Moreover, partaking in the consumption of pork can be viewed as an act of rebellion against the Almighty, particularly since it is seen as a symbol of tempting one’s appetite and succumbing to the forces of evil. Consuming pork is also seen as a means of counteracting the basic principles of Judaism and its emphasis on purification and striving for the highest degree of holiness.
Contemporary Issues
In today’s modern era, especially in Israel, the issue of eating pork has become a controversial one. Whereas some religious authorities advocate for observance of the traditional laws that forbid its consumption, others advocate for it on the grounds of personal freedom. The latter group disputes the notion that pork is unhealthy or unclean and argues that it is an infringement on their religious and personal freedom for the Torah to prohibit them from consuming a certain food item.
Furthermore, with the rise of nationalistic and militarist movements in the 20th century, many felt that pork was symbolic of Jewish emancipation from religious constraints and a declaration of autonomy and liberation from ancient rituals and obligations. To this day, the kosher and non-kosher dichotomy continues to urge debate.
Effects of Industrialization
The advent of the industrial revolution further propelled the issue of pork-eating. With the mass production of pork-based products, and their increased availability in the market, the ability to consume pork became easier than ever before. Additionally, the ease with which processed, pre-packaged pork products could be consumed encouraged a large number of people to partake in the eating of such products. This compounded with the promotion of pork as an inexpensive and practical source of protein, only further encouraged people to break away from the dietary laws identified in the Torah and indulge in pork. Consequently, this has led to an overall rise in the consumption of pork all around the world.
Oftentimes, the argument of convenience is the deciding factor which persuades many people to disregard the dietary laws and consume pork. However, the underlying reality is that the consumption of pork defies the will of God and undermines the meaning behind one of the oldest dietary laws still supporting the Jewish people.
Cultural Significance
Notwithstanding, the symbols and rituals surrounding the prohibition against eating pork are ingrained in the culture. In traditional societies, the avoidance of pork has a multidimensional impact and is seen as a protective measure for maintaining one’s purity, physical health, as well as social and spiritual boundaries. The avoidance of pork is not limited to the physical ingredients of a meal but is also linked to safeguarding one’s emotional and spiritual health.
Moreover, the argument is made that the observance of the dietary laws serves to help preserve the sanctity and the cohesion of the Jewish community. By refusing to eat pork, Jews acquire a sense of belonging and a collective identity, as the act of keeping kosher serves to define and unite members of this faith. Thus, the practice of avoiding pork serves to remind oneself of one’s religious affiliations as well as one’s social obligations.
Environmental Impact
The mass production of pork has had an immense environmental impact. At an industrial level, the production of pork is a large scale energy-intensive activity. Moreover, due to the environmental costs associated with the production and transport of pork, the industry has contributed significantly to the degradation of air, water, and soil quality.
Additionally, industrial-scale pork production is associated with various other environmental issues of concern, such as the displacement and displacement of wildlife, land degradation, and the depletion of natural resources. This further serves to illustrate the need to reduce our reliance on pork for food and shift to a more environmentally sustainable dietary choice.
Social Effects
On a social level, the prohibition against eating pork has deeply impacted the manner in which many Jews perceive the food they consume. To demonstrate this, the notion of “kashrut”, which is the Hebrew term for the Jewish dietary laws, is oftentimes used as an umbrella term for separation from contamination and impurity. As such, it serves to reinforce the idea that one should distance oneself from consuming forbidden substances. By avoiding pork, Jewish individuals are reminded of their inability to “satisfy their desires”, as the pork industry has overtly appealed to largely economic motivations.
Conversely, the consumption of pork has been seen as a way of demonstrating a degree of liberation from the traditional restrictions placed upon Jews by their religion, as the act of consuming pork signals a rejection of the judaic dietary code and its restrictions.
Over time, the issue of pork consumption, and the reasons behind its prohibition, have come to symbolize faith, religious observance and the struggle between personal freedom and obligation to the divine. As such, it is not surprising that the consumption of pork has become a deeply contested ritual in modern cultures and continues to raise moral and ethical questions. The importance of understanding and respecting the perspectives of both those who consume pork and those who do not should not be overstated.
