Food and Identity in Judaism, Christianity and Islam

Refusing to share a meal or accept food prepared by others does more than just express the notion that “We” want nothing to do with “Them.” This kind of anti-social behavior also reinforces ideas about who They are and, perhaps more importantly, who We are. This talk will explore ideas about what it means to be Jewish, Christian, or Muslim embedded in the traditional food restrictions of these religious communities. It will also consider the ways in which premodern ideas about Us and Them continue to shape interfaith relations today.