With the New Year approaching Rabbi David Woznica offers a twist on the popular resolution of beginning a diet. This week he offers inquiries into Torah teachings that elevate the act of eating. Here are his thoughts about this spiritual diet.
Why Keep Kosher:
The Origin of Kosher
While “keeping kosher” has been central to Jewish identity, few areas of Jewish life are filled with more misconceptions than the dietary laws. Many Jews, for example, believe the reason for forbidding the eating of pork is to protect from trichinosis. You won’t find such rationale in the Torah.
In Leviticus and Deuteronomy, however, the Torah does associate kashrut with one underlying theme, holiness. At the core of kashrut is the distinction between which animals are permissible for a Jew to eat and which are prohibited. The Torah considers three main categories of animals: meat, fowl, and fish and indicates which are, and are not, permissible. Tomorrow, we’ll explore these teachings and uncover some explanations for the distinctions.
— Rabbi David Woznica
Tomorrow: “Which Animals are Kosher and Why?”