Holy Cow!: Does God Care About What We Eat? - Egan, Hope. First Fruits of Zion, 2005. 161p. $14.00, Paperback. ISBN 189212419X. 296.73 Judaism—Dietary laws.

Author Hope Egan’s perspective on her subject is that of a young Jewish professional who became a Christian. Questions about the faith in which she was raised and about the faith to which she converted came to a head one day when she had lunch with a friend, also a convert. Egan’s friend was still trying to “keep kosher.” Their conversation led Egan to study and, ultimately, to write this book.

Holy Cow! explores what the Scriptures say about food and the misconceptions that have grown up over the centuries among Jews and Christians. Egan’s final chapter is entitled “God’s Word Does Not Change—and Neither Does the Physiology of Pork or Shellfish.” Following Egan’s conclusion is supplementary material contributed by Bible scholar and teacher D. Thomas Lancaster.

Each of Egan’s chapters contains questions for study or discussion. The appendices include a list of clean and unclean animals and appropriate passages from the Bible and the Apocrypha. This book would be a valuable addition to church and synagogue libraries.

Beverly M. Bixler
First Presbyterian Church
Ashland, Ohio