Disquisitio philol. de Iudaeorum odio et abstinentia a porcina, eiusque c ausis

§. IV.

It is asked, therefore, what was the cause for why the Jews detested this animal so much? Ancient and modern scholars diverge into far different paths here, and there are more divisions of opinion than there are mouths of the rich Nile. Two very learned men have already preceded me in some part, the one SAMUEL BOCHART (op. cit. p. 698.), the other JOHN SPENCER (On Hebrew Ritual Laws, Book I, ch. 7, segm. 4, p. 131. sq.); but they have also left behind a notable gleaning, to say nothing of the fact that I do not agree with the latter in all things, as will become clear from what follows. We shall review the various opinions through the induction of authors.

I. LAMPRIAS in PLUTARCH, Symposium, Book IV, ch. 5, invented four causes for this abstinence, which argue that he was little skilled in Jewish matters.

(1) Because they think that this meat induces leprosy: το δε ὑειον κρεας οἱ ἀνδρες ἀφιστανται δοκουσιν ὁτι μαλιστα δε βαρβαροι τας ἐπιλευκιας και λεπρας δυσχεραιουσι, και τη προσβολη τα τοιαυτα κατα βοσκεσθαι παθη τους ἀνθρωπους οἰονται. πασαν δ᾽ ὑν ὑπο την γαστερα λεπρας ἀναπλεων και φωσιχων ἐξανθηματων ὁρωμεν. Men abstain from PORK because barbarians are especially abhorrent of vitiligo and leprosy, which they believe are contracted by eating these meats. Indeed, we see the pig full of leprosy and scabies-like pustules under its belly.

(2) Because the pig's food is unclean, and because it delights in mud.

(3) Because the eyes of pigs are broken and fixed upon the ground, so that they see none of the things that are above, nor ever see the sky.

(4) Because Adonis was killed by a pig; Adonis, however, is the same as Bacchus, in whose honor he ridiculously thinks the Feast of Tabernacles is celebrated, because the rites of that festival agree with the sacred rites of Bacchus a).

a) Plutarch did this intentionally to prove that the Jews performed sacred rites for Bacchus. His very long testimony is read in the famous BUDDEUS, Ecclesiastical History of the Old Testament, Vol. I, p. 681 sq. An elegant and learned Dissertation by J. G. LAKEMACHER on certain rites is also available.