And the pig, though it has a divided hoof, does not chew the cud; it is unclean for you. – Leviticus 11:7

Today's Scripture Reading (December 22, 2024): Leviticus 11

I admit that I love bacon. I know that I am not alone. I don’t have it often, but when I do, I enjoy it. Once a month I meet with some friends for breakfast, and the one thing I look forward to is eating some bacon. I know that it isn’t good for me, but once a month I allow myself the experience. I also like pork roast, although I am a little less enthusiastic about ham.

I have a friend who loves his bacon cheeseburgers, or really bacon anything. Bacon wrapped in bacon is an amazing dish. He admits that he would make a lousy Jew. Maybe of all of the food laws, the Jewish prohibition of pig bacon gets the most press, with even fictional characterizations of Jews who are tempted beyond their self-control by the forbidden meat. 

The animal that is forbidden here is actually the wild pig. It is singled out because it is was considered to be an offensive animal in ancient times. But the pig was also known to be the host for several parasitic organisms, including the tapeworm. As a result, it was better to avoid the animal than chance eating it.

It is sometimes good to understand that the Jewish food laws had some practical reasons behind them, and were not just arbitrary decisions made by God. And to understand that even if we don’t understand why something is forbidden, there is likely a solid reason behind the prohibition. 

Life is like that. We don’t always understand the reason why we can’t have something. But sometimes we just have to recognize that not everything we want is necessarily good for us. And that sometimes wisdom is found in deciding what we will or will not eat. 

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Leviticus 12