Parshat Re’eh; Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17 by Rabbi Denise L.Eger

This long Torah portion, Re’eh contains a variety of subjects including the promise of blessings if the responsibilities of the Covenant are adhered to and curses if the Covenant is violated. Usually these blessings and curses are viewed as reward and punishment. A simple equation seems to be laid out before us. “See, this day I set before you blessings and curse: Blessing if you obey the commandments of Adonai your God which I enjoin upon you this day and curse if you do not obey the commandments of Adonai your God,” (Deut. 11:26-28). The portion then goes on to outline many important commandments including responsibilities to God and to one another.

The portion reiterates the strong warning against idolatry and particularly urges a single worship site. “Take care not to sacrifice your burnt offering in any place you like, but only in the place which God will choose,” (Deut. 13-14). This certainly falls into the category of obligations to God. The commandment about consulting false prophets can be placed into the same category. We are to distance ourselves from and indeed ignore those who would lead us astray into idolatry. The temptation seems to be too great to overcome. We Jews have obligations to God as part of our covenant relationship and our responsibility to fulfill them lifts up our character.

But the portion now reiterates messages that have been previously given in the Torah. We are reminded again of the dietary restrictions, the laws of Kashrut, that keeps us mindful the sanctity of life and elevates even the most mundane of human necessities—the act of eating and nourishment to an act of holiness. This takes an obligation we have to ourselves—the obligation to nourish our bodies and makes it also an obligation to God.

In our era, many Jews have thrown aside this act of holiness. They see Kashrut as antiquated remnants of tribal isolationism. Yet the laws of Kashrut, if followed keep us mindful of our obligations to God and to our covenant. When so many Jews feel disconnected and indeed are disconnected from the Jewish community, keeping the laws of Kashrut as outlined in the Torah are a simple way to affirm one’s Jewish identity and connection to covenant.

In our day age we have so many fad and food diet regimens. We resist carbs. We eat only grapefruit. We plan meals based on our blood types or keep a certain calorie count. We are practiced at having food disciplines. So the excuse that keeping kosher is too hard or complex seems lame in the face of these eating plans. We can easily tell a waiter to grill it with no oil, but seem to have a harder time saying hold the cheese on our burger!

Our tradition tries to help us be mindful of other human beings, our planet and our God. Kashrut helps us in all of these areas. Keeping kosher affirms our identity to our people, encourages us to thank those who make and prepare the food as well as God, and to be mindful of the sanctity of life—especially in regard to the animals whose flesh give us nourishment.

If you haven’t tried keeping kosher—try it in small steps. Try it for a day and then a few days. Refrain from eating pork and shellfish, don’t mix meat and milk, and see if you can enhance your spirituality through a conscious effort to honor your tradition, your covenant, and yes, your honor God.

Happy Eating!

Posted by Lee at August 14, 2006 09:01 AM