Shemini March 28, 2026/24 Nissan 5786
It was a fantastic Seder we had, so much food and so delicious. I suppose it is fitting then that the Shabbat following is the parsha of Shemini that (amongst other things) has the laws of kosher animals. I remember once I had a conversation with a non-Jew who informed me that pigs have tape worms which in ancient societies when cooking methods were not as efficient, could end up causing health problems and that is why the Torah does not allow eating pork. “Nowadays,” he said, “we have stainless steel ovens and such, so now we can eat pork.” I answered him that the reason is irrelevant, we do not eat pork because the Torah tells us not to.
While the answer I gave is certainly true, I realize now that there is much more depth to be added. Truthfully, the prohibition on pork does not apply to non-Jews in any case. The Midrash quotes a parable by Rabbi Tanchum bar Chanilai to explain. It is like a doctor that has two patients – one that will live, the other for which he can do nothing, and the patient will die regardless. To the patient that will live the doctor tells him, “Eat this but do not eat that.” To the patient that is destined to die, the doctor tells him, “Eat whatever you want.” The patient that will live represents the Jewish people who will be living in the afterlife. The patient that is destined to die is our enemies who are not concerned with G-d and spirituality.
Now this parable is specifically referencing evil and idolatrous nations. After all, even the Noahide laws also prohibit the Nations from eating the limbs of live animals, and many non-Jews of the world are spiritual and believe in an afterlife. The difference is the way in which Jews view food. I had a Rabbi in Yeshivah that explained it thus: “We eat to live; we don’t live to eat. The food we eat powers us to do Torah and Mitzvot.” But not only that, the foods we eat also have spiritual meaning. We just experienced this at the Passover Seder where we ate Matzah and Maror for the spiritual meanings they have, not just that they taste delicious (though clearly, they do). So too, the foods that are kosher or not-kosher contain a spiritual aspect whether it is apparent to us or not. The pig is a classic example, as in the Hebrew word for pig – “Chazer” which means to return. Just as a pig will “return” to wallow in excrement, this is a trait that we should spiritually distance ourselves from.
The purpose of this Parsha Power is not criticize anyone’s kashrus but rather to explain what kosher means to us and why. It is worth considering what we want to spiritually take in to power ourselves. So, remember, as the adage goes “you are what you eat.” And join us for a delicious kosher kiddush this Shabbos.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Josh
While the answer I gave is certainly true, I realize now that there is much more depth to be added. Truthfully, the prohibition on pork does not apply to non-Jews in any case. The Midrash quotes a parable by Rabbi Tanchum bar Chanilai to explain. It is like a doctor that has two patients – one that will live, the other for which he can do nothing, and the patient will die regardless. To the patient that will live the doctor tells him, “Eat this but do not eat that.” To the patient that is destined to die, the doctor tells him, “Eat whatever you want.” The patient that will live represents the Jewish people who will be living in the afterlife. The patient that is destined to die is our enemies who are not concerned with G-d and spirituality.
Now this parable is specifically referencing evil and idolatrous nations. After all, even the Noahide laws also prohibit the Nations from eating the limbs of live animals, and many non-Jews of the world are spiritual and believe in an afterlife. The difference is the way in which Jews view food. I had a Rabbi in Yeshivah that explained it thus: “We eat to live; we don’t live to eat. The food we eat powers us to do Torah and Mitzvot.” But not only that, the foods we eat also have spiritual meaning. We just experienced this at the Passover Seder where we ate Matzah and Maror for the spiritual meanings they have, not just that they taste delicious (though clearly, they do). So too, the foods that are kosher or not-kosher contain a spiritual aspect whether it is apparent to us or not. The pig is a classic example, as in the Hebrew word for pig – “Chazer” which means to return. Just as a pig will “return” to wallow in excrement, this is a trait that we should spiritually distance ourselves from.
The purpose of this Parsha Power is not criticize anyone’s kashrus but rather to explain what kosher means to us and why. It is worth considering what we want to spiritually take in to power ourselves. So, remember, as the adage goes “you are what you eat.” And join us for a delicious kosher kiddush this Shabbos.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Josh
