Final answer:
Dame Mary Douglas argued that Jewish dietary laws are meant to transmit piety, as detailed in her 1966 work, 'Purity and Danger.' These rules help to define what is sacred in a community, structuring religious beliefs and cultural identity, especially during times of exile and scattering.
Step-by-step explanation:
The anthropologist who argued that Jewish dietary laws are intended to transmit piety is Dame Mary Douglas. In her influential work, Purity and Danger (1966), Douglas examined the connection between cultural notions of cleanliness and religious practices, including the kosher dietary rules followed by the Jewish faith. These rules are part of a broader religious and cultural system that defined what is sacred and what is profane, ultimately serving to structure and affirm the piety of the Jewish community.
The adoption and practice of kosher dietary laws, along with other religious customs like marriage laws and the duty to study sacred texts, played a crucial role in preserving Jewish identity, particularly during periods of exile, such as the Babylonian captivity. The Torah, compiled by the prophet Ezra, became a central piece of this identity, allowing Jews to maintain their tradition and survive as a distinct group despite being scattered across different lands and facing persecution. The underlying significance of these practices is reflective of the way religious beliefs are intertwined with cultural and social identity.