Split hoofs -- a good thing?

                                                              Article on Linkedin

Knowledge is Power - G-dly knowledge is SUPER POWER

The Torah designates two symbols that determine an animal is Kosher. 1, Chews its cud and 2, has split hoofs. All other “animals that walk on their paws, on all four, are not kosher”. Rashi – Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki, 1040-1105, the principal commentator on the Bible, offers examples of non-kosher animals, i.e. the cat, dog, and bear.

There are many more animals that are not kosher. The fact that Rashi decided to enumerate just these three as examples of impure and non-kosher- bad for the spirit, is because, they uniquely offer an over-all perspective on the characteristics of the animals that must be kept out of our systems so we retain our identity as a “ Holy nation unto Him.”

A cat according to the Talmud has a major blemish in its thought processess, “it doesn’t acknowledge its owner.” While it is true the Talmud tells us, “had the Torah not been presented to the Jewish people, we would learn (the imperative) to be modest from a cat,” there is this major flaw with its intellect.

A dog according to the Talmud, does acknowledge and recognize its owner and master. The Midrash says, ’’Dogs are smart.” The weakness in a dog is its problems with its emotions. All its intelligence is controlled and subservient to its emotions. The Talmud says, dogs are brazen animals.

While the cat and the dog represent blemishes and weaknesses internally, regarding the intellect and emotions, the bear who is plump and heavy represents the coarseness of the external faculties of a person. The bear in its spiritual non-kosher status is represented in its faults regarding its external forms of communication, i.e. thought, speech and deed which are absorbed in materialistic and coarse pursuits. Like the Bear who is always restless and roaming about for more food, this person is always lacking internal peace and tranquility.

The kosher animal on the other hand distinguishes itself from all others with its complete split hoofs that separate it from the ground. A Kosher animal does not walk directly on the ground. While the non-kosher animal walks on the ground and is connected to the materialism of the ground, kosher animals have the elevation that separates and lifts them from the ground.

Only someone who recognizes the specialness of the human being over all other creatures and intentionally separates and elevates themselves from the physical ground can influence the ground by their own elevated status and not become drawn in by the magnetism and gravity of the ground, materialistic pursuits.

It was only when Moses was on holy ground that G-d told him to “ take your shoes off from your feet.” In a place like the Temple where everything is imbued with G-dliness and spirituality, connecting to it all is imperative.

On a typical basis, kosher and holy is keeping a clear demarcation and detachment, between the pursuits of worldly values and spiritual G-dly interests that bring true fulfillment and deep satisfaction.

“I washed my feet, how could I make them sullied.” “How beautiful are the ornaments to your Shoes.” To be like a cat, dog, or bear, is to be unacceptable within the framework of Kosher and Holy. To be Kosher and to be G-dly, to be “a Holy nation unto Him”, a person must remain in his/her mind, heart, thoughts, speech and deeds, elevated, from the coarseness and unrefined ways of worldly pursuits.

"Whoever is careful concerning these matters brings an additional measure of holiness and purity to his soul and purges his soul for the sake of the Holy One, blessed be He, as [Leviticus 11:44] states: "And you shall sanctify yourselves and you will be holy, for I am holy."

Maimonides Ma'achalot Assurot - Chapter 17 Hal. 32