# Could a synagogue or mosque prohibit service pigs?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-synagogue-or-mosque-prohibit-service-pigs/636619>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [October 3, 2012, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-synagogue-or-mosque-prohibit-service-pigs/636619 "2012-10-03T20:02:08Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\
**Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-synagogue-or-mosque-prohibit-service-pigs/636619/21 "2012-10-04T10:59:52Z")

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> [@AK84](#):
>
> You have to perform ablution before you can pray if you have been ;playing with a dog. But you have to perform ablution before you pray if you have had sex. Urinated. Passed gas. Sweaty exersize. Gone to sleep. Been out gardening. That does not mean that muslims don’t actually do those thing.

But you wouldn’t actually do most of those things at a prayer service would you? If not, wouldn’t it also follow that having a dog there would be problematic?

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**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\
**Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-synagogue-or-mosque-prohibit-service-pigs/636619/22 "2012-10-04T14:34:44Z")

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> [@Telemark](#):
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> I’m not sure if synagogues would have any reason to prohibit swine. They aren’t kosher, but that only relates to eating them. Dogs aren’t kosher either and I’ve seen service dogs at Temple.

> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#):
>
> This right here.

No, I disagree. See Choshen Mishpat 409:2.

An observant Jew is permitted to own and raise non-kosher animals, as a general proposition. A horse, a dog, a cat – all of these are permissible if owned and raised for non-food purposes, such as service or companionship.

But a pig is in a special class of [aversion](http://www.dafyomi.co.il/bkama/points/bk-ps-082.htm). (Bava Kama 82b).

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**Author:** ![md2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/73ab20/32.png) [@md2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md2000)\
**Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-synagogue-or-mosque-prohibit-service-pigs/636619/23 "2012-10-04T15:48:05Z")

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Dogs got personality. Personality goes a long way…

Seriously, places of worship unlike businesses, are not obliged to obey the same laws of access for service animals.

Apologies, **AK84** - just seems to me that the OP is trying to construct a situation that puts two rules in conflict. My point was that you don’t need to drag pigs into it to create a legitimate issue. I assume, like with Orthodox vs. Reform vs. Haredim Jews, there is a range of interpretation and point of view regarding ritual, rules and observance for Muslims too. (Just like for Christians).

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