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Deuteronomy 14:8 - Swine: forbidden, why split hoof?

Deuteronomy 14:8 - דברים 14:8

Hebrew Text

וְאֶת־הַחֲזִיר כִּי־מַפְרִיס פַּרְסָה הוּא וְלֹא גֵרָה טָמֵא הוּא לָכֶם מִבְּשָׂרָם לֹא תֹאכֵלוּ וּבְנִבְלָתָם לֹא תִגָּעוּ׃

English Translation

And the swine, because it divides the hoof, yet chews not the cud, is unclean to you: you shall not eat of their meat, nor touch their carcasses.

Transliteration

Ve'et-hakhazir ki-mafris parsah hu ve'lo gerah tame hu lakhem mibesaram lo tokhelu uvenivlatam lo tigau.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְאֶת־הַ֠חֲזִ֠יר כִּֽי־מַפְרִ֨יס פַּרְסָ֥ה הוּא֙ וְלֹ֣א גֵרָ֔ה טָמֵ֥א ה֖וּא לָכֶ֑ם מִבְּשָׂרָם֙ לֹ֣א תֹאכֵ֔לוּ וּבְנִבְלָתָ֖ם לֹ֥א תִגָּֽעוּ׃ <span class="mam-spi-samekh">{ס}</span>        
וְאֶת־הַ֠חֲזִ֠יר כִּֽי־מַפְרִ֨יס פַּרְסָ֥ה הוּא֙ וְלֹ֣א גֵרָ֔ה טָמֵ֥א ה֖וּא לָכֶ֑ם מִבְּשָׂרָם֙ לֹ֣א תֹאכֵ֔לוּ וּבְנִבְלָתָ֖ם לֹ֥א תִגָּֽעוּ׃ {ס}        

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Prohibition of the Swine in Jewish Law

The verse (Vayikra 11:7) explicitly prohibits the consumption of swine due to its incomplete kosher signs—it has split hooves (מפריס פרסה) but does not chew its cud (לא גרה). This renders it טמא (unclean) for consumption. The prohibition extends not only to eating its flesh but also to touching its carcass, as stated: "מִבְּשָׂרָם לֹא תֹאכֵלוּ וּבְנִבְלָתָם לֹא תִגָּעוּ".

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi (Vayikra 11:7) emphasizes the deceptive nature of the swine's kosher sign—its split hooves—while lacking the internal characteristic of chewing the cud. He notes that this symbolizes hypocrisy, as the swine presents itself externally as kosher while internally being non-kosher. This serves as a moral lesson against outward displays of righteousness without true internal commitment.

Rambam's Rational Approach

In Moreh Nevuchim (3:48), Rambam suggests that the prohibition of swine, among other non-kosher animals, may be rooted in health concerns, as swine were known to carry diseases in ancient times. However, he also affirms that the ultimate reason for kashrut is divine decree (גזירת הכתוב), transcending human understanding.

Midrashic Interpretations

The Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah 13:5) elaborates on the symbolism of the swine, associating it with the wicked kingdom of Edom (Rome), which, like the swine, displays a facade of civilization while engaging in corruption. This aligns with the Talmudic view (Chullin 17a) that the swine will one day "return its hooves" in the messianic era, symbolizing the ultimate rectification of its deceptive nature.

Halachic Implications

  • Prohibition of Consumption: The Torah forbids eating any part of the swine, including its fat or organs (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De'ah 83:1).
  • Prohibition of Benefit: Derived from the phrase "טמא הוא לכם," one may not derive any benefit from swine, such as selling its meat (Rambam, Maachalos Asuros 4:14).
  • Handling Carcasses: The prohibition against touching carcasses applies only when they are in a state of טומאה (ritual impurity), as per Talmudic discussion (Pesachim 24b).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Chullin 59b
The verse is discussed in the context of the laws of kashrut, specifically regarding the signs of a kosher animal and why the pig is considered unclean despite having one of the required signs (split hooves).
📖 Bava Kamma 82b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the prohibition of raising pigs in the Land of Israel, highlighting the severity of the prohibition against swine.
The verse is cited in the midrashic interpretation of the laws of forbidden foods, emphasizing the pig's unique status as an unclean animal that displays an outward sign of purity (split hooves) but lacks the internal sign (chewing the cud).

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is pork forbidden in Judaism?
A: Pork is forbidden because the Torah (Deuteronomy 14:8) explicitly states that the swine is unclean since it has one kosher sign (split hooves) but lacks the other (chewing cud). According to Jewish law (Halacha), an animal must have both signs to be kosher. Rashi explains that this teaches us that outward signs alone are insufficient without inner refinement (symbolized by chewing cud, representing meditation on Torah).
Q: What does 'touching their carcasses' mean in this verse?
A: The verse prohibits not only eating pork but also touching the carcass of a non-kosher animal like a pig. The Talmud (Chullin 7b) explains that this refers to a state of ritual impurity (tumah) that comes from contact with a dead non-kosher animal. The Rambam (Hilchos Tum’as Mes 1:3) clarifies that this impurity applies in Temple-related contexts, but today we avoid such contact as a safeguard.
Q: Why does the Torah mention the pig's split hooves if it's not kosher?
A: The Torah highlights the pig's split hooves (Deuteronomy 14:8) to teach a moral lesson. The Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah 13:5) compares the pig to people who 'put on a show' of righteousness (symbolized by the external kosher sign of split hooves) while lacking true inner integrity (not chewing cud). This emphasizes Judaism's value of sincerity in both actions and character.
Q: Is there a reason why pork is singled out among non-kosher foods?
A: While all non-kosher animals are equally forbidden, Jewish tradition (see Talmud, Sotah 49b) notes that the pig became symbolic of non-kosher food because it was historically promoted by oppressive regimes to test Jewish loyalty to Torah law. The Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 73) also explains that pork is particularly unhealthy, reflecting the Torah's wisdom in dietary laws.
Q: How do Jews apply this verse today?
A: Observant Jews today strictly avoid eating pork or any pork-derived products, as the verse commands. Additionally, many are careful not to directly handle pork or non-kosher meat (Shulchan Aruch YD 117:1). This practice maintains Jewish identity, connects us to generations of Jews who sacrificed to keep kosher, and reminds us of the Torah's call for holiness in daily life.