Shemini, Pig or Camel?

For an animal to be Kosher it must chew its cud and have split hooves. The camel is deemed non-Kosher because it only chews its cud; likewise, the pig because it only has split hooves.

Rabbi Shimshon Pincus explained the symbolism: people often act in a way that appears righteous to others, they have Kosher signs on the outside, while within they are selfish and dishonest. They can be compared to the pig whose Kosher signs appear only on the outside of its body. Others are often filled with good intentions and righteous beliefs, yet there is little manifestation of that in their actions. They compare to the camel – Kosher only on the inside. Inward and outward refinement is the ideal.

Not having reached the ideal, should we be pigs or camels? The Sages say, "In the future the Almighty will return the pig to us." While this may be a prediction of lab grown bacon, consider also the following.  If one exhibits the signs of the pig, outwardly righteous, yet inwardly self-serving, perhaps their outward actions will eventually refine their inner being. Act as if you love others, and you'll begin to love others – spiritually refined and godly through and through.