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To: mylife

https://turtledove.fandom.com/wiki/The_R-Strain

“”The R-Strain” is a science fiction short story written by Harry Turtledove and published under the Eric Iverson pseudonym. It was originally published in Analog Magazine in June 1985, and reprinted in the Turtledove collection Departures in 1993.

The story is set in the 21st century. A biotech company Genetic Enterprises reveals its latest product: a genetically engineered pig that was a ruminant, hence the name “R-Strain”. This meant that the R-strain would absorb more nutrients from its feed since “cud crewing” allowed better digestion. As a consequence, the pigs would gain weight faster and could be brought to market sooner, earning the farmers a bigger return.

That immediately engenders a religious and philosophical question: Since the R-strain chews its cud, is it kosher? The company turns to Rabbi Aaron Kaplan to answer the question.

Turtledove says on Departures page 218 that he is Jewish but does not obey the kosher, and wished the pork he ate was kosher, then decided to translate this thought into a humorous story. He also states that the story was submitted before the discovery of the babirusa, a Southeast Asian cud-chewing pig relative, was announced to the world.”


6 posted on 03/16/2021 5:14:58 AM PDT by GreenLanternCorps (Hi! I'm the Dread Pirate Roberts! (TM) Atsk about franchise opportunities in your area.)
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To: GreenLanternCorps

Interesting.


7 posted on 03/16/2021 5:18:07 AM PDT by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
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To: GreenLanternCorps

Cloven hooves, chews a cud = Kosher


28 posted on 03/16/2021 7:14:51 AM PDT by null and void (The media decides what news you can see and NOT SEE. But don't you dare call 'em Not-Sees)
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To: GreenLanternCorps

https://www.aish.com/tp/i/moha/When-Pigs-Fly.html

...A number of authorities, including Rav Menachim Azarya DeFano, Rav Chaim Ibn Attar, and the Chatam Sofer, suggested that the pig will undergo what may be called an evolutionary process and develop a cud, rendering it kosher!...


31 posted on 03/16/2021 11:01:15 AM PDT by jjotto (Blessed are You LORD, who crushes enemies and subdues the wicked.)
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