Rabbi Chaim Lobel
SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH STATE
April 9, 2010
After the Torah, in great detail, explains the criteria for distinguishing the differences between which animals are pure and impure (kosher and non-kosher), the Torah concludes with the following statement:
"This is the law of the animal, the bird, every living creature that swarms in the water, and for every creature that creeps on the ground, to distinguish between the impure and the pure, and between the creature that may be eaten and the creature that may not be eaten" (Leviticus; 11:46-47).
Rashi (1040-1105: 11:47) quoting the Sifra (175-247 CE) asks, what does the Torah add with this statement? "Does the Torah mean to say that one must be able to tell the difference between a cow and a donkey? The Torah already explained that a donkey is not kosher and a cow is kosher. Rather, an individual must differentiate between one animal whose trachea was partly cut and another animal whose trachea was mostly cut. How much is this difference? A hair's breadth." The continuation of the Sifra concludes: "Amazing are the wonders of God's commandments, that such a difference can be between right and wrong."
For meat to be kosher, the animal had to have been slaughtered with a razor sharp knife that sliced through most of trachea and esophagus. If only half of the trachea was cut, the animal is rendered invalid and may not be eaten as kosher. Halakhically (according to Jewish law), what is the difference between most and half, kosher and non-kosher? A hair's breadth. Half would not be kosher. Most would be kosher. The difference is almost indiscernible.
The hair's breadth difference makes an animal kosher or not kosher. This is an undisputable fact. However, the Sifra carries this difference to all the mitzvot of the Torah.
Right and wrong -- kosher and non-kosher -- are not on opposite sides of the spectrum. Sometimes, only a fine line separates the two. Yet, it's our responsibility to recognize that line and distinguish "between the impure and the pure" -- right and wrong.
Rabbi Chaim Lobel is spiritual leader of Young Israel of Aberdeen.
www.yiaberdeen.com