Community Torah Corner, March 25, 2022

The laws of kashrut, which we read in Parshat Shemini, are one of the most well-known aspects of Jewish practice.

 

We learn that a kosher animal must have split hooves and chew its cud. Rabbi Jeff Salkin teaches that the English word “ruminate” is related to “ruminant,” which is the name for an animal that chews its cud. Talmud Torah, the ongoing study of Torah, is an exercise in rumination. We study our texts and their endless commentaries; we read the same Torah portions year after year. We do this not only, or even primarily, for practical knowledge; our ruminating on the texts is a demonstration of our love of our Torah and tradition.

 

As the parent of a GOA student, I am thrilled that my son Isaac has the opportunity to ruminate on so many aspects of Jewish life and tradition. He often tells us, with great excitement, about his Jewish studies and experiences at school. My wife Melissa and I are especially excited that what he learns at GOA will stay with him always, allowing him the opportunity to ruminate on his learning and how to integrate it into his life.

 

This Jewish approach to learning is a beautiful contrast to the polarized era in which we live. Now, we have “our truth” and anyone who thinks differently is not worth listening to. Our Talmudic ethos is one in which, while there are established norms and practices, the discussion of those norms and practices is vital, and the Talmud makes a point of noting the variety of opinions on a matter. Perhaps one of the greatest gifts of a GOA education is the reinforcement of the idea that we arrive at truth through rumination, discussion, and true openness to different points of view. As the laws of kashrut are designed to imbue our lives with holiness, so too do we elevate our lives when we open our hearts and minds to the wisdom of our tradition—and to each other.