Douglas also introduces the allegorical interpretations which link animals with certain virtues and vices. For example, carnivorous birds are prohibited because they inflict violence, contradicting the teachings of the Old Testament. Moreover, the scales on fish symbolize “endurance and self-control” (48). Douglas argues we cannot use these allegorical interpretations because they lack consistency and require different explanations for each animal. She cites another interpretation relating to certain things being prohibited because of their roots in foreign influence and worship. However, this interpretation fails as well since ritual sacrifice occurs both in the Jewish tradition and in foreign religions. Thus, the only way we can truly interpret these commands is by only observing the text themselves. Douglas writes that each command is “prefaced by the command to be holy” which establishes a divide between what is holy and what is not
![majortests.com](http://patterns.studymode.com/1.11/dist/images/logos/major-tests/logo-major-tests-large.png)