I'm reading Holiness in Israel by John G. Gammie and came across this which I find interesting:
Perhaps the earliest extrabiblical defense of the Hebraic food laws is found in the Letter of Aristeas (c. 150 B.C.E.). The letter, or apology, puts forward a stunningly appealing reason for the biblical food laws: (1) that edible creatures must have cloven hooves teaches that humans must be discriminating, that is, they should exercise reason and sound judgment; (2) chewing the cud is a symbol of memory and the importance of recollection; and (3) that predatory animals are prohibited teaches clearly how violence is to be eschewed and nonviolence embraced. (Letter of Aristeas, par. 136-69) - John Gammie, Holiness in Israel, p. 11
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