Shemini: Food for Growth

Judy is expecting her first child, and is doing everything she can to guarantee its healthy growth.

Judy prepares her meals carefully to ensure a sufficient supply of essential nutrients. She swallows her daily prenatal vitamins and exercises regularly as per her doctor’s recommendations.

Naturally, Judy never smokes and tries to avoid inhaling second-hand smoke.

When Judy reads about the benefits of exposing her unborn baby to music, she begins playing evocative, aesthetic melodies.

Recently, Judy became aware of a study about the benefits of reading stories to babies in utero. Judy or her husband, Jim, now dutifully read nightly to their baby.

Judy doesn’t regard her behavior as extreme or fanatical. Neither do her husband or her friends. They feel it is natural to do the utmost for one’s unborn baby. In fact, Judy is constantly seeking out more ways to nurture the physical, emotional or spiritual development of her child.

In this week’s Torah reading, Shemini (Leviticus 9–11), G‑d commands the kosher laws, identifying the animal species permissible and forbidden for consumption. Land animals may be eaten only if they have split hooves and chew their cud, while fish must have fins and scales. There are no signs for kosher fowl, but rather a tradition affirming which species are not kosher.

“We are what we eat” is a popular adage. Our physical food is transformed into blood and flesh, becoming an integral part of our being. As parents, we monitor our children’s physical nourishment and recognize the influence of environment—even for a fetus within its mother’s womb. Spiritually, too, the intrinsic qualities within our food help mold our spiritual persona.

The Torah prohibits non-kosher foods to prevent us from assimilating the negative characteristics of those foods. What are the traits of kosher animals, embodied by their signs of kashrut? And, what do these signs indicate about which positive qualities to cultivate within our children?

a) Kosher land animals have split hooves and chew their cud.

A closed, unsplit hoof represents rigidity, being closed off and untouched by the plight of others. The split hoof, on the other hand, symbolizes approachability and sensitivity to others’ suffering and needs. It also epitomizes a receptiveness to further growth.

Foster within your child an openness and awareness of others. Sustain his interest for continual learning and growing.

The kosher animal that chews its cud symbolizes a thoughtfulness and “chewing over” of teachings and circumstances.

Teach your child to think over a situation before reacting in the heat of anger, recklessness or impatience. Show him how to take a step back and consider a proper response or course of action. Shape him into a more insightful individual by analyzing wisdom with him and showing him how to internalize it.

b) Kosher fish have fins and scales.

Scales, which cover the fish like a protective armor, signify the quality of integrity and morality.

Develop within your child the ability to stay true to his inner self. Teach him how to protect himself from outside temptations.

Fins, propelling the fish forward, represent ambition.

Maximize your child’s talents and capabilities by feeding his ambition to advance and improve himself.

The Talmud teaches that all fish that have scales also have fins, but some fish with fins do not have scales and are not kosher. Having fins (ambition) without scales (morality) can lead to less-than-kosher behavior. Too many people, in their climb to success, abandon their values along the way.

Encourage your child to use his drive—but charted by a moral guide.

c) Kosher fowl does not have specific signs, but is determined by our tradition which affirms which species is kosher.

The fowl reminds us of the need for tradition and a higher guidance. There are times when every individual, no matter how intelligent or talented, will gain from seeking the guidance of those wiser or more experienced.

Instill within your child the value of consulting a mentor, and you will help him bypass many faulty courses in life.

What emotional or spiritual profile would you like to build in your child?

Sensitivity, thoughtfulness and consideration are indispensable qualities. A drive to accomplish tempered by moral integrity is also an essential life skill. Add the ability to know when to seek guidance and you have a winning combination.

The food we consume has a profound affect on our wellbeing. In your efforts to nourish your child’s personality, appreciate the profound spiritual effect of his food on his developing psyche.