singular beast, The

Jews, Christians & the pig

Claudine Fabre-Vassas

401 pages  |  ~11 hrs

Buy on Amazon

singular beast, The

Jews, Christians & the pig

By Claudine Fabre-Vassas

In this profound exploration of cultural symbolism and religious identity, anthropologist Claudine Fabre-Vassas examines how a single animal has shaped the spiritual and social boundaries between communities for centuries. The pig emerges as far more than livestock in this scholarly investigation, revealing itself as a powerful symbol that has both united and divided European societies from medieval times to the present day.

Fabre-Vassas traces the intricate web of folklore, religious practices, and cultural taboos surrounding pig breeding, slaughter, and consumption across Europe, from Spain to Scandinavia. She uncovers how these practices became deeply intertwined with Christian and Jewish identities, creating lasting divisions and misunderstandings between communities. The author reveals how myths and rituals developed around this creature that occupies a unique position in human society, simultaneously viewed as family member and sustenance.

Through careful historical analysis, the book illuminates how religious dietary laws and cultural practices evolved into tools for defining group identity and otherness. Fabre-Vassas demonstrates how seemingly simple food choices became vehicles for expressing complex spiritual beliefs and social hierarchies, showing how symbols continue to shape ethnic and religious consciousness.

This comprehensive study offers readers insight into the hidden forces that have influenced European spiritual and cultural development, revealing how everyday practices carry profound meaning in the formation of religious identity and community belonging.

What You'll Discover

  • ✓ Explore Judaism, relations, christianity
  • ✓ Explore Cuisine (Porc)
  • ✓ Explore Swine
  • ✓ Explore Symbolik
  • ✓ Explore Geschichte
  • ✓ Explore Folklore
  • ✓ Explore Antijudaismus
  • ✓ Explore Kashrut

Topics

Judaism, relations, christianity Cuisine (Porc) Swine Symbolik Geschichte Folklore Antijudaismus Kashrut Blood accusation History Animaux Interfaith relations Antisemitism Food habits Cooking (Pork) Swine, folklore Social aspects Relations Jews Social aspects of Swine Christianity and other religions Juifs Christentum Aspect social Habitudes alimentaires Antisemitismus Symbolic aspects of Animals Symbolic aspects Christianisme Varkensvlees Voedingsgewoonten Christianity Christianity and other religions, judaism Judaïsme Animals Christians Judaism Histoire Dietary laws Schwein Aspect symbolique Varkens Lois alimentaires In folklore, mythology, & religion Jews, dietary laws Porcs Prejudice Alimentation Animals, symbolic aspects Cookery (Pork) Religious aspects Meurtre rituel Food Feeding Behavior Christenen Joden

Details

Published
1997
Publisher
Columbia University Press
ISBN-10
0231103662
Pages
401
Language
EN
LC Classification
GR730.S9 F3313 1997

Related Books

Cover of Barmen Declaration as a paradigm for a theology of the American church, The

Barmen Declaration as a paradigm for a theology of the American church, The

Robert T. Osborn

1991 • 250p
Cover of broken staff, The

broken staff, The

Frank Edward Manuel

1992 • 363p
Cover of Has God Only One Blessing?

Has God Only One Blessing?

Mary C. Boys

2000 • 416p
Cover of Jewish-Christian relations in the seventeenth century

Jewish-Christian relations in the seventeenth century

Ernestine G. E. van der Wall, Johannes van den Berg

1988 • 224p
Cover of Socialism of Fools

Socialism of Fools

Michele Battini

2016 • 336p
Cover of Meeting of Civilizations, The

Meeting of Civilizations, The

Moshe Ma'oz

2010 • 280p