By: Rabbi Ralph Tawil

Value: Watching what we eat. In this week’s portion the Torah speaks about one of the issues that affects our daily lives in a significant way--what we eat. The Torah gives the signs for the permitted animals and fish and lists the prohibited birds. Our youngest children know kashrut from the supervision markings that they must find on the packages, (e.g. OU, OK, Kaf K etc.). While this is very important, we should make them aware, as well, of the reasons for Kashrut. Additionally, in the context of the laws of Kashrut, we have a chance to talk about being discriminating eaters—watching what we eat. In our days, when numerous less-than-nutritional additives are part of our daily diets, it is a good idea to be careful about what we put into our bodies.

Discussion: If your children are a little older (third or fourth grade) they might already know the signs of the kosher animals and fish. Give them the opportunity to "show off" what they know by asking: Who knows some examples of kosher animals and kosher fish? Does anyone know some unkosher animals or fish? What about birds? Who knows the two signs of a kosher animal and the two signs of kosher fish?

Why do you think that Hashem wants us to eat Kosher? (This question is a tough one. Some of the greatest Jewish thinkers have given very different answers: Rambam claims that Kashrut is for health reasons. Abarbanel disagrees. He says that unkosher food defiles us spiritually. Others have claimed that it distinguishes us from non-Jewish people, causing us to seek out Jewish people in any strange land to which we travel. The Torah does mention a reason for at least one category of prohibited food—rodents.)

Text: Leviticus 11:42-45

Apparently, at least as far as swarming and crawling things are concerned, and possibly, by analogy, the other prohibited creatures, the dietary laws and laws of impurity are to bring about the status of being God-like and distinct--holy.

One outcome of the laws of Kashrut is that it gets us to think before we eat. Holiness in general, as in the sphere of the diet, entails limiting what Man has a natural impulse to do. The limiting implies control and Man's difference from animals. For example, animals do not consider the importance of the fact that they are taking a life in order to satisfy their basic urge of eating. The holy man is enjoined to bring this to mind and to examine his actions. Holiness, the ability to approach God, requires man to insert God's will between his impulse to eat and his action. This filtering of Man's inclinations and impulses through the prism of God's will is the basis of Man's becoming God-like and holy.

The ability to "think before you eat," strengthened by observance of Kashrut, helps us in situations where we must use self-discipline to avoid eating tempting but unhealthful foods. (To be perfectly clear: I am not saying that the reason for Kashrut is health. What I am saying is that the power of self-discipline necessary to properly keep the laws of Kashrut can help in other circumstances where the motivation is health.)

Our rabbis teach us that we should be stricter with things that endanger our lives than we are with things that are prohibited (hamira sakanta me’issura; Hhulin 10a). If something endangers us, it should be extremely prohibited.

Teach your children that preservatives, some artificial food coloring and flavors can be dangerous and should not be consumed in great quantities. Remember, in this, as in many areas you must lead by example.

Purpose of eating - to have strength, therefore we should not overindulge. Of course, we can enjoy what we eat, but we should not eat just to enjoy. (The ancient Romans would eat and than force themselves to vomit so that they could eat again. This is clearly unacceptable from a Jewish perspective.)

Limit eating processed sugar or things that contain it. (Explain to the children why it is no good—because it satisfies our bodies need for calories/energy in a way that is not beneficial to the body. Sugar gives a "quick burn" and the body must act immediately to return the blood sugar level to normal.)

For older children: This perasha also mentions the prohibition for Kohanim to perform the service in the Mishkan after they have had alcohol.

The impaired judgment that results from drinking alcohol might lead to a mistake in the performance of the service of God. Drinking alcohol slows our reaction time. It also temporarily removes our inhibitions that often function as life-saving restraints from dangerous behavior (like speeding in our cars). Tell your (older) children about the poster that had a picture of a car in flames and the caption "Ever toast a friend?" Let them know that you would give them a lift from _anywhere_ if they felt that they could not drive home.