Religious Season, As Pig Organ Transplants Into Humans Become “Common” Let’s Talk About Religions and Pigs

stock here: I have long knew that some heart repair (not replacement) valves and such were done with Pig Parts. The failed with 7 Pig Kidney transplant, but the 8th made it. I have a problem with this.

They call it a Xenotransplant, and I guess if it has a name, that makes it OK. NOT!

Woman receives pig kidney transplant, walks out of hospital days later: ‘Second chance’

The Bible and the Torah (the first five books of the Bible, central to Jewish law) discuss the relationship between humans and pigs primarily in terms of dietary laws, symbolism, and spiritual lessons. Here’s a breakdown:
In the Torah

Dietary Laws:
    Leviticus 11:7-8 and Deuteronomy 14:8:
        Pigs are explicitly classified as unclean animals because, although they have split hooves, they do not chew the cud.
        These verses forbid the consumption of pork and even touching the carcass of a pig:
            “The pig, though it has a divided hoof, does not chew the cud; it is unclean for you. You must not eat their meat or touch their carcasses.” (Leviticus 11:7-8)
    This prohibition forms a core part of kashrut (Jewish dietary law), emphasizing ritual purity and obedience to God’s commands.

Symbolism of Uncleanness:
    Pigs became a symbol of uncleanness in Jewish thought, not only for their diet but also for their behavior. While outwardly appearing clean (split hooves), they lack the internal characteristic (chewing cud) required for ritual purity.

Cultural Context:
    The prohibition of pork distinguished the Israelites from neighboring cultures, many of which consumed pigs as a staple. This separation reinforced their identity as a chosen, holy people.

In the New Testament

Jesus and the Gadarene Demoniac:
    Matthew 8:28-34, Mark 5:1-20, Luke 8:26-39:
        Jesus casts demons out of a man and allows them to enter a herd of pigs, which then rush into the sea and drown.
        Pigs here are symbolic of impurity, as they are associated with demonic possession. This account also highlights Jesus’ authority over evil spirits.
Relaxation of Dietary Laws:
    Mark 7:18-19:
        Jesus declares that it is not what goes into a person that defiles them but what comes out of their heart, implying a shift from strict dietary laws to a focus on moral and spiritual purity.
    Acts 10:9-16:
        Peter’s vision of unclean animals, including pigs, being declared clean by God signifies the inclusion of Gentiles in the Christian faith and the end of dietary restrictions.

In Jewish Tradition

Cultural Aversion to Pigs:
    In Jewish history, pigs became a symbol of desecration, particularly during the Seleucid Empire’s rule, when Antiochus IV forced Jews to sacrifice pigs on the altar, leading to the Maccabean Revolt.
    This deepened the association of pigs with spiritual defilement.

Prohibition Maintained:
    Observant Jews continue to avoid pork, adhering to the Torah's commands as a mark of faith and cultural identity.

Symbolism and Spiritual Lessons

Dual Nature of Pigs:
    Pigs symbolize hypocrisy in Jewish thought, appearing clean outwardly but being impure internally. This is a recurring metaphor for inner versus outer righteousness.

Obedience and Holiness:
    The Torah’s dietary laws, including the prohibition of pork, are less about health and more about obedience to God and maintaining a distinct identity as His people.

Comparison

The Torah emphasizes separation and ritual purity, using pigs as an example of what is forbidden to eat or handle.
The New Testament shifts the focus from ritual purity to inner spiritual purity, though the cultural stigma around pigs remains.

This nuanced view of pigs underscores themes of purity, obedience, and spiritual transformation across the Bible and the Torah. Let me know if you’d like to explore further theological or cultural insights!