Emmanel Sorek
Dvar Torah Editor
This week’s Parasha is Parashat Shemini. A well-known idea brought forth this week comes in the 3rd aliyah(section) of the Torah portion. Here, Hashem instructs Bnei Israel which animals are allowed and which are forbidden for them to eat. This text is paralleled to another time the Torah differentiated between different species of animals. This happens during Parashat Noach where the 2nd verse of the 2nd chapter states:
מִכֹּ֣ל ׀ הַבְּהֵמָ֣ה הַטְּהוֹרָ֗ה תִּֽקַּח־לְךָ֛ שִׁבְעָ֥ה שִׁבְעָ֖ה
אִ֣ישׁ וְאִשְׁתּ֑וֹ וּמִן־הַבְּהֵמָ֡ה אֲ֠שֶׁ֠ר לֹ֣א טְהֹרָ֥ה הִ֛וא שְׁנַ֖יִם אִ֥ישׁ וְאִשְׁתּֽוֹ׃
“Of every pure animal you shall take seven pairs, males and their mates, and of every animal that is not pure, two, a male and its mate.”
Commentaries explain that the term “not pure” is referring to animals that are not kosher, thus implying that Noach did know Torah laws. However, there is slightly different language in this week’s parasha; Chapter 11 verse 4 states:
אַ֤ךְ אֶת־זֶה֙ לֹ֣א תֹֽאכְל֔וּ מִֽמַּעֲלֵי֙ הַגֵּרָ֔ה וּמִמַּפְרִסֵ֖י הַפַּרְסָ֑ה אֶֽת־הַ֠גָּמָ֠ל כִּֽי־מַעֲלֵ֨ה גֵרָ֜ה ה֗וּא וּפַרְסָה֙ אֵינֶ֣נּוּ מַפְרִ֔יס טָמֵ֥א ה֖וּא לָכֶֽם׃
“The following, however, of those that either chew the cud or have true hoofs, you shall not eat: the camel, although it chews the cud, it has no true hoofs: it is impure for you.”
Notice how when referring to excluded animals from the ark, the Torah uses the term “not pure” whereas in this week’s Parasha the Torah uses the word “impure”. Why? What distinction exists between the segregation of animals with regard to the ark and the animals we are allowed to eat?
Rabbi Singer, my Talmud teacher in high school, explained the following idea to me. Commentaries explain that the reason the Torah uses the term “not pure” with Noach is because generally speaking, the Torah will use a לשון נקי (proper language) when possible. However, my Rabbi later explained that when it comes to this week’s Parasha, more strict distasteful language is used, hence the word “impure” using the following reasoning: Food touches our lives in profound ways, from the table where we gather to the nourishment it provides our bodies. Therefore, the Torah implores us to approach food with reverence and caution, ensuring that what we consume aligns with our spiritual well-being.
This principle extends beyond the realm of animals and food. We each engage in various activities daily, each with its own level of significance. Whether it's work, school, or spending time with loved ones, we must ask ourselves: Are we conducting ourselves in a manner that reflects our values? Are we surrounding ourselves with influences that spiritually uplift and inspire us ?
These questions require introspection and courage. Often, our hearts and minds may tug us in different directions. Yet, the goal remains clear: to align our actions with our values, to pursue growth and righteousness in all aspects of our lives. Moving forward, may we all find the strength to pursue what’s in both our hearts and minds best interests on our pursuit to more intimate relationships with Hashem and those around us.
Commenti