Judaism Unbound Episode 488 - Meat: The Key to Jewish History? - John Efron
We’re back at the trough this week. Author John Efron joins Dan Libenson and Lex Rofeberg to share some of the findings in his latest book, All Consuming: Germans, Jews, and the Meaning of Meat. Efron encourages us to get on eye-level with the pig, from symbol to sinew, as a vital indicator of eating — and therefore living — Jewishly throughout history.
[1] Applications are open for our UnYeshiva certificate program in unbound Judaism! This certificate program is an opportunity to enter into a course of study where you can develop Jewish knowledge, skills, and holy chutzpah! It is a trans-generational community of Jewish learning and growth, predicated on the ancient Jewish tradition of changing Jewish tradition. The FINAL deadline for applications is just a couple days after this episode’s release — Sunday, June 22nd. Click here to learn more!
[2] Efron’s book, All Consuming, can be purchased here.
[3] The statue Efron mentions is entitled Judensau (trans. “Jews’ sow”).
[4] Check out Jordan Rosenblum’s book, Forbidden, and listen to his recent appearance on Judaism Unbound via Episode 487: Pigs are Very Jewish - Jordan Rosenblum.
[5] The Genesis verses Rosenblum discusses, about Jacob wrestling with an angel as a reason for Jews not consuming animals’ sciatic nerves, can be found here.
[6] For more Unbound content on kashrut standards, check out Episode 318 - Kosher Prosciutto - Rob Nipe, Nora Rubel and Episode 171 - Digesting Judaism - Rachel B. Gross.
[7] For more Judaism Unbound content on Shabbetai Zevi and Jacob Frank, you can listen to Judaism Unbound Episode 269: Shabbetai Zevi - Permitting the Forbidden - Xava DeCordova and Michael Sokolovsky or Judaism Unbound Episode 340: More Religious Heresy - Jay Michaelson.
[8] Here is more information on the incident Dan mentions of a fatal allergic reaction. Here’s another troubling report on child labor allegations in a kosher meat plant.
[9] The Hebrew for sciatic nerve, גיד הנשה (gid hanasheh) literally translates to “the forgotten sinew.”