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February 6, 2004/Shevat 14 5764, Vol. 56, No. 20
Kashrut central to Jewish life
Torah study
RABBI ARTHUR LAVINSKY
Beshalach/Exodus 13:17-17:16
Everyone has heard the expression, "You are what you eat." The Jewish calendar constantly reminds us that the food that we ingest should be in keeping with the time of the year. For example, we usher in Rosh Hashana with apples and honey, in the hopes of a sweet New Year. On Hanukkah, we eat latkes (fried potato pancakes) which remind us of the cruse of oil that lasted for eight days instead of one. During Purim, it's Hamantaschen, those triangular pastries shaped like the hat of Haman, the villain who wanted to eliminate the Jewish people. And on Passover, every Jew eats matzo which teaches us that our ancestors left Egypt in such haste that they didn't have time to let their bread rise.
And today, which is Tu B'Shevat, the 15th day of the month of Shevat, we traditionally partake of foods that are grown in the Land of Israel, showing our connection to the ancestral home of our people. When I was growing up, I remember eating "bokser" from the carob tree, as well as dates, olives, and pomegranates.
But on this Tu B'Shevat, I have a modest dietary proposal for all Jews. This would not be limited to any specific holiday or observance, but it would nevertheless add holiness to every day of your life. I propose that the food that Jews eat year-round should be kosher.
I remember just a little over one year ago when the last space shuttle was about to take off. One of the astronauts was an Israeli, Colonel Ilan Ramon, who was not a particularly observant Jew, yet he realized that the first Israeli in orbit represented something far greater than himself. Therefore, he brought along with him a mezuzah containing the Shema, and a Tanach (Jewish Bible) on microfiche. He even brought with him a piece of artwork drawn by a child who was killed in the Holocaust. But most notably, he brought with him kosher meals. Representing the Jewish people and the State of Israel, he recognized that even what he ate had the potential of being a Kiddush Hashem, a sanctification of God's name.
For those who are unfamiliar with the Jewish dietary laws, they might seem like little more than a set of outmoded health legislations, but nothing could be further from the truth. The laws of kashrut, especially when it comes to ritual slaughter, teach us compassion for the animal that provides us with our meals. Furthermore, when one looks at ingredients or hechshers (rabbinic supervision) one transforms each shopping expedition and every meal into a mission to fulfill God's wishes.
Rabbinic tradition teaches us that we should live each day as if it were our last. Ilan Ramon certainly did not know what his fate would be, yet he introduced elements of tradition into his life which will remain part of his legacy to Israel and Judaism. I invite Jews of all persuasions to consider adding kashrut to their repertoire of mitzvot. Call your rabbi for guidance on how to start the process. I promise you that more than just helping you recall the life of a fallen Israeli astronaut, that kashrut will help you feel closer to God and to fellow Jews by raising you closer to the Heavens.
Rabbi Arthur Lavinsky is the spiritual leader of Beth El Congregation in Phoenix.
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