We live in a world where we need to be continuously reminded to look after ourselves. A world where although we know eating lots fast food is not good for us, we still need reminding by our doctor. Although the youth are aware of the detrimental effects of promiscuity and of misusing narcotics, vigorous campaigns are still very much needed to combat the dangers inherent in both. And even though smoking is known to be harmful to our health, the warning is still written in bold on the side of the packet.
The question begs to be asked: why do we need to be convinced of something as basic as: don’t do things that will eventually kill you?
The answer is that we are not really conscious of the real danger inherent in our behavior. So when the police go on an anti-drink-driving campaign or on an anti-drug campaign, the advertisements are as graphic as possible. Only through ramming home the message by showing us the results of our actions do we become conscious of the dangers inherent in our reckless behaviour. We need to be constantly made aware of what is right and what is wrong, otherwise we forget and become misguided.
At the end of this week’s Torah portion we read the laws of Kashrut. The last verse reads “This is the Law of the animal…to distinguish between the impure and the pure, and between the animal that may be eaten and the animal that may not be eaten”.
The Torah needs to fill a chapter of forty-seven verses in order to tell us the difference between two complete opposites – pure and impure – which should be easily distinguishable.
Because just like we need to be constantly made aware of clear physical dangers so as not to harm ourselves. Non-kosher food is harmful for us spiritually, thus we must be made mindful of the spiritual dangers however apparently obvious they may be because otherwise we may become injudicious.
The human condition is a dichotomy made up of both the physical and the spiritual. Just as healthy-eating books and the health (surgeon generals) warnings help guide us towards physical fitness, Torah being a spiritual health book guides us towards spiritual well-being. Just as we must to be prudent not to consume any thing, which is unhealthy, we must also be careful not to partake of any impure and non-kosher food or drink.
We all need to be reminded of the importance of the Torah’s dietary laws once in a while because our spiritual health is of consequence at all times. Ultimately as both your Rabbi and you Doctor will readily tell you, you really are what you eat.