Re'eh - Creating a Balanced Lifestyle - Rabbi Larry Rothwachs

in this week's parasha the torah reviews uh the dietary laws the laws which were first introduced in parshasmini in which the torah basically outlines and lists which animals birds and fish are permissible for consumption now as we know the torah permits and prohibits land animals categorically rather than individually based on very specific uh anatomical features so an absent an animal that both chews its cud which and has split hoofs which the torah calls mafris parsa so such animals are permissible for consumption uh if any one of these characteristics are missing so we know that one cannot consume such an animal nor its derivatives and when an animal has both of these traits so we traditionally label such an animal as kosher now contrary to proper beliefs among the general populace particular food is not considered kosher because it was blessed by a rabbi nor due to the fact that it costs more than non-kosher alternatives meat is kosher when it comes from an animal that has these dual characteristics and it is obviously it needs to be subsequently prepared in accordance with uh uh it is therefore somewhat peculiar uh and and a little strange that khazal referred to a unique and exemplary person as being an adam kosher the gemara in shabbat hey amadeus as an example but other places as well uses that precise term when describing an individual of exceptionally fine character now first glance you know this designation seems a little strange and out of place after all as we mentioned uh the term kosher is a term that is used to describe an animal that is fit for consumption the term is used almost exclusively to designate a food as being permissible so why then do our rabbis use that very same term to describe a person who obviously is not going to be consumed by another so what does that mean that a person is an adam caution so i'd like to share with you a very insightful idea uh which i found in the writings of rev and he offers the following insight which i think is really very enlightening suggests that two see money tahara the two signs which designate an animal as a kosher animal so they represent two different dimensions of our religious service these two traits are symbolic of our conduct of actions being which means between us and god as well as a conduct between us and other people the trait of maligayra which means chewing of the cud so this obviously occurs inside of the body of the animal it is hidden from public display and this sort of represents the relationship between man and god this while it's true that others may detect clues which reveal the level of a person's individual commitment it is ultimately a relationship which transcends the public eye and remains private within that individual if you will rather than without uh the trait of mafreses parsa to be a mafris pars on the other hand so this represents a different dimension the dimension of being adam the way i conduct myself when dealing with other people just as this feature of the animal's anatomy is readily visible to all of us it is virtually impossible to fulfill one's obligations towards another in complete and total seclusion by definition this mode of one devotes hashem exists in the public arena visible and noted by those around us often making it necessary to reveal acts of goodness that one does for another so based on this rapam basically suggests that an adam kosher refers to an individual who possesses both traits we are speaking of a person who if you will is balanced in their avo the sachem this is a person who cultivates and develops his relationship with his creator while simultaneously remaining mindful of the ever-changing needs of those around him and while this may sound like a very easy goal to achieve as we all know it is very far from it there are those who maintain a very steadfast commitment to their own personal relationship with god but they struggle to demonstrate that same devotion to others and at the same time other individuals who are constantly aware of others and compassionate towards their needs but they fail to adequately devote time and attention to their own personal spiritual growth you