FAITH ON THE PLATE: RELIGIOUS FOOD REGULATIONS IN JUDAISM AND ISLAM

The role being played by food in the existence of man cannot be over-emphasized. Food is highly necessary to carry out the functions of the body in terms of health and growth. This study therefore aimed at examining dietary constraints as recorded in the scriptures in relation to the Jews and the Muslims religion. To this extent, man seems to give special priority to his diet in his life's programmers. Though, food is essential and needed by man for his survival, yet, not every food is good for human consumption. The importance attached to food by man explains why choice of food is relevant to growth. Consequently, Yahweh, as recorded in the Old Testament gave the Jews some regulations which would guide them against their diet consumption. Hence, it was concluded that since what we eat has no effect on God in terms of health and wellbeing but on us human beings, it is therefore advisable for man to eat what will benefit him and not what endanger his health. Man, regardless of his religion and status should abhor and jettison impurity in its totality.