literal versus figurative in holy books.

Reading holy text and applying it all literally we would have murdered eachother centuries ago. Religions have to evolve or die. Cutting off a hand for defending a loved one seems barberic, and it isnt legal in some places. The only way to keep the religion is to alter the tradition.

When reading the Holy Bible, first of all, do not rely on your own knowledge as this may hinder you from understanding further, ask ministers or do some researching. As for your question, we can always take its meaning figuratively and literally. Both meanings are true, one way or another. However, you have to read the entire Bible to know that most practices in the Old Testament was abolished and changed on the New Testament, since not everything would remain applicable at the time of Christ.

In ancient days, books were a rarity. Therefore what went into them was deemed very important for the society.

Nowadays "wisdom" about not eating pork or shellfish isn't necessary due to modern medicine, animal husbandry, cooking methods and refrigeration, but in those days it could literally mean the difference between life and death. Especially in a day where a minor scratch might kill you if it becomes severely infected.

Using the Bible as an example, it's not only a religious text, but a history text. Also a social guide not unlike Hammurabi's Code of Laws. For Jewish, and later Christian tribes, it may have been the only books/scrolls/writings they possessed.

The fact the books of the Christian Bible were specifically screened and selected by the Council of Nicaea in 325AD may count against it as a purely religious text, but not a historical one.