Eating and Drinking Narratives in Biblical-Rabbinic Versus Graeco-Roman Writings

The writings of ancient Greece and Rome and of biblical Israel are filled with descriptions of food. The narratives in Greek and Roman mythology and poetry often describe violent and repulsive behavior associated with food. The biblical narratives, in contrast, tend to view food in a respectful and purposeful manner. We compare and contrast some of these stories with regard to the specific themes: restraint, respect, purpose, and order. In each comparison, patterns of eating described in biblical laws and narratives will be contrasted with those emerging from Graeco-Roman stories and customs.