Why did certain religions ban pork?

[John Jones]

Connection: is that like "Souse"?

It sounds like souse AKA head cheese.

 

[pakeha]

For some authors, that epithet certainly applies. Dan Brown comes to mind.

But no evidence that the Torah dates back to 1000BC, I see?

Not so far, AFAIK.

 

[GeneMachine]

It sounds like souse AKA head cheese.

Yep. Head cheese it is, basically.

 

[John Jones]

Yep. Head cheese it is, basically.

It's popular in the SE USA, but I don't care for it myself.