Standards and Regulations

From the first man and woman on Earth, we've understood the meaning of eating. Adam and Eve were given simple, clear instructions. As guardians of the Garden of Eden, they could taste all the food there, but with one restriction: they could not eat from a particular tree. If they disobeyed, they would die. Isn't it curious that God's first conversation with Adam and Eve was about what foods they should and shouldn't eat? Simply put, these commands couldn't undermine a person's immortality; they were simply: You may eat this, but you absolutely cannot eat that. It was that simple.

In fact, this is the very definition of what it means to be a Jew. In other words, there are limits, ground rules, and guidelines for what to do and what not to do. If we follow our desires and eat the forbidden fruit, we will be expelled from God. As we know, Adam and Eve's transgression forever changed the fate of humanity.

The desire and need for food is a fundamental instinct of all living things. Eating symbolizes the appetites and desires of all people. While eating is a natural desire, it can lead to unchecked behavior, so eating needs to be governed by certain boundaries. From the earliest days of life, humans possessed a system to address the potential dangers of food. However, Adam and Eve were unaware that even in paradise, there were boundaries that could not be crossed. In life, some things are kosher and some are not. If we want our world to resemble the Garden of Eden, we must first learn self-discipline. This means controlling the urge to take a bite of delicious, tempting foods—the forbidden fruit. This means that all appetites, instincts, desires, and hungers, even those that seem natural at first, need to be controlled.

Adam and Eve had guidelines for their own benefit, allowing them to live richer and more powerful lives. Understanding limitations, accepting discipline, and practicing self-control are the beginnings of a life filled with meaning, purpose, and joy. From the very beginning, heaven has had the ability to say no. A world without "no" is like a world without control. Self-control is like a refueling station, harnessing our natural instincts and impulses. Sadly, Adam and Eve failed to do so.

Eating has profound implications, both physically and spiritually. Used properly, it can keep us alive and sustain us; conversely, it can make us sick, miserable, and shorten our lifespan. The spiritual impact of food is less obvious. For example, when a recognized source of food is prayed before and after consumption, it is elevated to another level. Eating is never simply a single act, not only physically but also spiritually.

The institution established by the first man and woman established a series of instructions for preserving and enjoying the physical and spiritual benefits of food. Subsequently, Jewish law was designed to regulate moderation in food, with the goal of maximizing the benefits of eating. These laws allowed for the consumption of physical objects, such as apples, but transformed it into a sacred, spiritual act. Humanity's avoidance of certain foods served as a constant reminder of God's restrictions. Thus, the ordinariness of eating was elevated to a higher level. In other words, physical acts, such as eating, were elevated and utilized for the betterment of humanity and the world.

The more tempting and desirable forbidden actions are, the more we must avoid them and choose the path God directs. When we do this, we become both servants and masters: servants of God and masters of ourselves. To make God's service more meaningful, it must be possible not to serve Him. If there were no forbidden foods, and if acts of free will were not necessary, then kosher food would lose its meaning.

The concept of the sacred is a fundamental principle of Judaism. The sacred begins with the material. The Jewish dietary laws exemplify all that is sacred, for they take simple, practical actions and teach us to elevate them to a higher, more sacred state, with the goal of creating better Jews and better humans. This is why eating is one of the first things God mentions to Adam and Eve.

Jewish dietary laws, like all other Jewish rituals, influence character traits. Jewish law is part of God's effort to make each Jew a better person. Living within Jewish law, people gradually learn to overcome their desires and align themselves with God's will. They ask not "What do I want?" but "What does God want?" Those who can transcend their own desires to fulfill God's will will also do the same for others, ultimately becoming better people, free from selfishness and greed.

Eating is more than simply consuming food and swallowing it. When a person eats properly, it becomes more meaningful than just polite table manners; people appreciate their entire character and personality. Hunger is a fundamental instinct, and we shouldn't eat without asking, "Is this food edible? Does it contain forbidden ingredients? Has it been properly prayed for?" And we must cultivate the habit of thinking before we act. Over time, our intuition sharpens, and we move away from impulsive actions and instead act after careful, thoughtful consideration. Thus, we gradually move toward becoming a conscientious and rational human being, one who no longer lives without thinking, but rather takes control and becomes the master of our daily lives.

In a sense, the qualities of a particular species can flow into our spirit and bloodstream. For example, animals that conform to kosher dietary laws have two consistent characteristics: chewing the cud and having cloven hooves. These aren't just physical signs; the cloven hooves signify that the animal is not a carnivore and won't tear at the hands or feet of its prey. Chewing the cud symbolizes peace and contentment; an animal that chews the cud feels satisfied with whatever it eats and won't hunt more. In a sense, its food serves both ends.

Non-kosher animals may possess one of these traits, but never both. Such animals either tear apart their prey for food or are dissatisfied with their current situation. In other words, these animals are forbidden to eat because when we eat their meat and digest it, we are deeply influenced by the animal's negative traits. A person's constant dissatisfaction with life can lead to exploitative and violent behavior toward other creatures. Frequent exploitative and aggressive attacks against others, based primarily on self-dissatisfaction, can be detrimental to our spiritual well-being. Jewish law forbids us from imposing these qualities on our souls, and according to this law, food has the power to imbue us with its own qualities. Every action, no matter how meaningful, influences other actions, much like a pebble thrown into the middle of a pond creates endless ripples.

Some believe that kosher food is perfectly clean, and therefore that all Jewish law is based on hygiene. When kosher dietary laws make food cleaner and healthier, we no longer need to serve God, since we can benefit from them. (When God no longer requires us, these things are harmful. We observe kosher laws because they allow us to draw closer to God and demonstrate our devotion to Him.) God does not promise that eating kosher food will make us healthier or more beautiful, nor does it promise to slow aging, whiten teeth, or restore hair. Regardless of convenience or comfort, the joy of serving God is the ideal form of service. (Remember, this is the ideal form, with something to strive for; it's not a level of idealism that everyone can achieve.)

This law is more than just a guide to health; it is God's blueprint for all humanity, teaching us how to survive successfully, how to live with dignity, purpose, joy, and wisdom. This law addresses not only the health of the body but also the well-being of the mind, emotions, soul, heart, and character. Through Jewish law, we serve God, purify our appetites, discipline our instincts, channel our cravings, and manage our animal desires.

In addition to laws governing permitted and prohibited foods, there are also specific regulations regarding how animals permitted for consumption are slaughtered and served. Although they perform a unique ritual slaughter, known as a skhet, performed by a learned, specially trained, and devout Jew, and preceded by a prayer, these foods are still forbidden to eat. Further requirements exist before consumption, such as ensuring that the blood is completely drained from the animal before cooking, and numerous additional preparatory procedures.

Even if meat is already prepared and ready to be eaten, Jews will pray before eating it, thanking God as the creator of the food and saying God's name, literally saying it, not just meditating in their heads. They will say that God is King and He created the bread, fruit, meat, vegetables, wine, and water.

This world exists not simply for humans to indulge in free conversation, but to be utilized for legitimate human needs and pleasures. It can also serve as a means of awareness and gratitude to God. In this way, the world truly becomes joyful and sacred. How we handle our animalistic instincts is a crucial test of our humanity. When we can discipline our appetites and abstain from certain foods, however tempting, we are on the path to holiness and achieve a holy life.