B"H

Friday, 22 Adar 2, 5776 / April 1, 2016 – HAKHEL YEAR

This Shabbat, in addition to taking out one Torah to read from, as we do every Shabbat, we also take out a second Torah for the reading of the Maftir. In the first Torah we will read Parshat Shemini. In the second Torah we read Parshat Parah, the laws of the Red Heifer. This is one of the four special Torah readings at this time of the year, in preparation for Pesach.

In Shemini we find the listing of the kosher and non-kosher animals, fowl and fish.

The sign of the kosher animal is stated in the Torah as follows: "These are the living things which you may eat amongst all the beasts that are on the earth. Whoever has a parted hoof and is wholly cloven-footed and chews the cud, amongst the beasts, that you may eat. But these you may not eat of them, those that only chew their cud or of them that only part their hoof.'"

Q.Is the prohibition to eat not kosher foods related to health reasons?

A.Maimonides, one of our greatest sages and scholars, who lived about 900 years ago, explains that non-kosher foods were not prohibited due to health reasons or for that matter to any reason which can be explained logically. Rather, these laws are in the category of mitzvot known as "Chukim."

"Chukim" are the mitzvot that are beyond the realm of human comprehension and as a result G-d didn't relate any reason for these mitzvot.

Rabbi Yitzchak Abarbanel explains that, although non-kosher foods may not be hazardous from a physical stand, they are bad and hazardous in a spiritual way for a Jew's soul. 

Thus, kosher food gives a Jew the positive energy for performing Torah and mitzvot. Eating non-kosher foods has a negative effect and prevents one from receiving the positive energy that one needs to perform mitzvot.

According to the Torah, a kosher animal must have two signs; split hoofs, which is an external sign, and it must chew its cud, which is an internal sign. If the animal has only one of the signs it is deemed not kosher.  This teaches us that a Jew must be, kosher (righteous) on the inside as on the outside.

Many people make the impression of being good and righteous when in public or when people will know about their actions, but may act differently when in private and no one knows what they did.  Some people act nice and proper outside but may not be so nice within their home or the opposite.  Thus, the Torah tells us that the sign of being "kosher" is to be on the inside as on the outside.

Although non-kosher animals are not permitted to be eaten, yet our sages in Pirkei Avot tell us that even from non-kosher animals we can learn a lesson in the service of G-d. Yehuda ben Teima said, "Be bold as a leopard, light as an eagle, swift as a deer and strong as a lion to carry our the will of your Father-in-Heaven."

SHABBAT  SHALOM

Montrealcandle lighting time: 7:05 / Shabbat ends: 8:10