Parshas Re'eh 5785
- Torah Tavlin
- Aug 22
- 2 min read
כי עם קדוש אתה לה' אלקיך לא תבשל גדי בחלב אמו ... (יד-כא)
MASHAL: R’ Chaim Mintz shlita, is the Mashgiach of Yeshivah of Staten Island and founder and spiritual leader of the massive kiruv organization, Oorah. Over the years he developed strong relationships with many Torah leaders, most notably the venerated Gaon, R’ Moshe Feinstein zt”l.
R’ Mintz related the following conversation he once had with R’ Moshe. He asked the following question: For so many generations, the Jewish Nation held strong to their heritage, despite the unbearable circumstances they’ve been made to endure. Yes, there have been some unfortunate fallouts, but they were outcasts amongst the people, not the mainstream. Yet, why in just a few generations, before WWII, thousands of Jews strayed from the path of Torah?
R’ Moshe explained, “This happened due to their laxity in the area of kashrus! The generations preceding the Holocaust were careless about the kosher standards of what they ate. This caused “timtum halev” (contamination of the heart) and ultimately the downfall of entire communities!”
NIMSHAL: In our parsha, Moshe Rabbeinu reminds Klal Yisroel of the importance of eating kosher. He begins by stating: “For you are a people consecrated to your G-d and Hashem chose you from among all other peoples on earth to be a treasured people. You shall not eat anything abhorrent, etc.” There is something of unique importance when it comes to keeping and eating kosher food. The Torah calls the Jews a “Holy people” and prescribes a holy diet. You are what you eat. Kosher is Hashem’s diet for spirituality. If a person violates the kosher dictum, he isn’t just committing a sin. By ingesting non-kosher food, he has contaminated his soul and thereby the souls of generations to come, making it harder for them to remain pure and holy, and easier for them to sin.