About this video

• Video Title: Pork Forbidden: Why Judaism And Islam Ban It But Christianity Doesn't
• Channel: The Hidden History
• Speakers: None explicitly named
• Duration: 00:06:31

Overview

This video explores the reasons behind the prohibition of pork in Judaism and Islam, while it is accepted in Christianity. It examines the religious texts, historical context, and geographical factors that contributed to these differing dietary laws among Abrahamic faiths.

Key takeaways

• Religious Texts: The Torah (Judaism) and the Quran (Islam) explicitly forbid the consumption of pork. The criteria for "clean" animals in Judaism, based on Leviticus, include having a cloven hoof and chewing the cud; pigs only meet the first criterion.
• Christianity's Divergence: Early Christianity, influenced by Jesus' teachings and the Apostle Paul's interpretations, shifted focus from external dietary laws to internal faith and spiritual purity. A vision experienced by the Apostle Peter further reinforced this idea that "no food should be called impure."
• Historical and Environmental Factors: The prohibition of pork in Judaism and Islam is linked to the practicalities of raising pigs in the arid Middle East, where they are water-intensive, compete for grain, and pose a higher risk of foodborne illness. Conversely, the cooler, wetter European climate where Christianity spread was more conducive to pig farming and consumption.
• Cultural Adaptation: Christianity's less restrictive food laws allowed it to adapt more easily to local customs and economies in regions where pork was already a staple, such as in Europe.
• Symbolic Significance: The differing stances on pork highlight how religious laws can be shaped by a combination of divine commandment, historical context, environmental realities, and cultural evolution.

Raising pigs in the Middle East presented several practical challenges that likely influenced religious prohibitions:

• Water Consumption: Pigs require a significant amount of water, which is a scarce and precious resource in the arid Middle Eastern climate.
• Dietary Competition: Unlike grazing animals like sheep and cows, pigs consume grains. This meant they were competing directly with humans for food resources.
• Lack of Secondary Products: Pigs do not provide milk or wool, unlike sheep and cows, making them a less efficient livestock investment in that environment.
• Health Risks: In hot climates, pork posed a higher risk of foodborne illnesses, making it a dangerous food source.