Kabbalah on Pork

If a Jewish נשמה (neshama) can not elevate pork, a goy can? B''H

In this conference rabbi Mendel Kaplan explains: "The animals that can not be elevated because they are תוהו (Tohu), it's crazy wild energy, what do we need to do? Stay far away! What happens if you ingest or eat those animals? You make that crazy energy a part of yourself, and eventually what does it do to you? You don't have the power to elevate that! It's too strong! It's too intense! So, if you can't pick the animal up, and move it closer to G-d, what will the animal do to you? Bring you down and turn you into an animal."

Thus we learn about the reasons why pork is so טומאה (tum'ah), and the grave consequences of consuming its meat.

Can there be any benefits for a goy, in terms of physical health and spiritual growth, if one voluntarily abstains from consuming pork?

If a Jew, who is said to have a stronger and more powerful נשמה (neshama) can not elevate pork, then what are the chances that a goy might actually accomplish such a feat, which is not achievable for a Jew? Reply

Enlightening... Seeing kashrut as a responsibilty. Thanks for this. Reply

Rabbi I love these Chabad lectures. Reply

Meat and the Messiah? Your teaching was wonderful. I wondered, however, do you believe we will kill and eat animals when Messiah comes? According to Torah we did not eat meat when Adam and Chava were in the garden. If all is pure again, would we not return to that state?

Just wondering what your thoughts were. Reply

Very Interestin I thought the teachings and explanations were wonderful.

I truely enjoy Jewish thought. Reply

Wow! I bet similar correlations could be found with others, i.e., shrimp, lobster, bear, catfish and most probably all non-kosher foods; This would be most interesting! Reply

Re: Marion Bremner Uh...I think u have a bias against Roman Catholicism....please try to fix this bias... Reply

"Christianity says sex is bad" This is a really ignorant statement. Christianity is based on the same scriptures as Judaism and believes no such thing.
I think the Rabbi is confusing Christianity with Roman Catholicism, a syncretistic sect. Reply

Thank You, Rabbi Kaplan I observe kosher and have always wondered (beyond the obvious explanations in the Torah) why did G-d create a pig and not allow us to eat their meat. Now I understand. Reply

I can not believe Baruch HaShem ,
I have been amazed by the depth of Kabbalah. I am in the process of conversion and I truly appreciate these Chabad lectures. Reply

length Just summarize the material at the beginning and then move through the details. Most journal articles will do this for students or professionals who need to "quick answers". Reply

The following is Good I am not a Jew, but my heart has loved what you do. I am learning the language and taking lesson on th different aspect of life.

I am listening and getting inspired though I do not understand some words.
On a sabat I study in all means to understand what G-d want from me. Reply

Terrorism is Tohu? Would it be correct to say that the many acts of terrorism displayed in the world today, as well as the terrorists themselves, are tohu? Was Esau then a pig? Reply

Thanks for great lecture Very helpful lecture on, not just kosher, but other "not-always-logical-to-the-secular-mindset" laws of Halachah. Thank you for the insight, and the inspiration. I've been moving towards kashering the kitchen, and this gives me more intellectual impetus. Liked the friendly feeling of the talk as well--so in regards to the comments on length, I would say not to worry, it's needed to create an atmosphere. Reply

Thank you Rabbi, your teachings have not only given me much to think about but also enriched and gave more meaning to my day.

I was, as others have mentioned, a little daunted by the length of your recordings but would ask that you keep them just as they are and do not be tempted to shorten them. After listening for a while I felt totally immersed and with the crowd’s interaction even felt as though I was there with you.

Thank you again, warm regards

Kris Reply

Kabbalahand Kosher Thanks, Rabbi Kaplan, for an informative viewpoint on kosher eating and Kabbalah as it relates to life and service to haShem.
As a Noachide who has taken upon himself the yoke of Torah such lessons are very valuable. Since I have discovered this series I shall be back to listen to more and more. Kol tuv, y'all! Reply

pork I really enjoyed and heard twice it is really very informative and to understand the importance of non-kosher food. I would appreciate if i can buy some cd's of Rabbi kaplan. Reply

Mr. Kaplan is a very interesting and informative speaker. He is most skilled at making and supporting his point of view. I think that he is sufficiently skilled to effectively make his case in 15 minutes instead of an hour. I really think he could do it without losing any quality or meaning.

My reality is that I don't have an hour to listen to each of his presentations even though I would like to know more about the subjects he talks about. Had his presentation been 15 minutes, I could have listened to two or three more subjects and been a more knowlegable Jew. I can nearly hear him saying in response that I should put more time and study into my Judiasm! And I say, if the presentations were shorter, I'd know more, and perhaps be more inspired to study even more! Reply