YES and NO

   Our Torah reading this Shabbat discusses the laws of kashrut - what one may ingest and what is prohibited. There are many reasons given by Chazal to explain these laws and to a certain extent we rely on the important reason that it is a Chok.  Hashem told the Jewish people to obey these laws and we do so with great confidence that it is beneficial for us to follow the dictates of the Torah, unequivocally .

   However permit me to suggest a simplistic and yet a profound underlying idea for the observance of the Kashrut laws.

  I sense more and more that we are living in a very permissive society. There is a cartoon by Jules Feiffer; The first panel says "The teachers are afraid of the principal." The second panel says,"The principal is afraid of the school board."  The third panel says, "The school board is afraid of the parents." The fourth panel says, "The parents are afraid of the children." And the last panel says, "And the children are not afraid of anyone."

    That is what happens in a permissive society, parents are afraid of, chas v'shalom, lowering their child's self esteem that too often they are afraid to say "No" to their child's wishes. It is then that our Father in Heaven says that there are times we need to say "No" and to evidence this Hashem instituted the laws of Kashrut, to tell us life is not always "Yes". There are times we need to control our desires and "Mommy and Daddy still love you" even when they say "No".

     Life has greater meaning if we learn the lesson of Kashrut, a lesson of control, a lesson that says not everything is allowed , a lesson that teaches us that a "No" can elevate us to a higher state of Kedusha.

   

   Permit me to share with you a parable for life; A disciple of a Chasidic Rebbe became angry with him and wanted to embarrass him in public. He caught a little bird in his hand and approached the Rebbe with the following question."Tell me wise one, what do I have in my hand?"  The Rebbe, noticing the fluttering motions, quickly apprehended that it was a bird and told him so. The angry disciple continued,"Now tell me, is the bird dead or alive?"

   If the Rebbe were to say "living" the disciple planned to crush the bird quickly and prove him wrong. On the other hand, if he were to say dead, he would simply open his hand and let the bird fly away. In either case, he would prove the Rebbe wrong before his pupils and thereby embarrass him.

   The determined disciple once more demanded, "Tell me , is the bird alve or dead?"

   The Rebbe paused for a moment and replied, "THE ANSWER MY YOUNG MAN. IS IN YOUR HANDS."

    Indeed my friends , Judaism tells us that our life depends upon how we react to life's predicaments and at that moment we need to remember the laws of Kashrut and how we are in control  and to realize  that In life there are times we say "Yes" and equally there are times we must say "No" and not to fear the reaction to our "No."

    As a sports ethusiast I join with others during these exciting days of Collegiate Basketball -March Madness.  These outstanding players understand the importance of proper mechanics in the art of shooting the ball.  It is important that after the shot is taken you need to follow through.  

Let us use this same idea of following through in a positive and active way in Judaism.