LIKE BABY MOSHE, WE MUST KEEP KOSHER

Courtesy: Revach L’Neshama

The Parsha of Kosher and non-Kosher creatures starts in an unusual manner, (Shemini 11:1), “Vayidaber Hashem El Moshe V’El Aharon Laimor Aleihem”. Why does the Torah use the extra word “Aleihem” at the end of the pasuk instead of ending with the usual “Laimor”?

The Iturei Torah brings and answer from Rav Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev. He says that Chazal says that Moshe after being found in the river and taken to Paroh’s palace refused to nurse from any Mitzri women because he would use his mouth in the future to talk directly to Hashem. Similarly, the Ramban says that we do not eat non-Kosher animals because they have a certain cruelty in their nature while Yisroel is a holy nation who must imbue themselves with the trait of Chesed.

The Pasuk in Yoel (3:1) says “V’Nibu Bineichem Uvnoseichem”, in the future all sons and daughter of Am Yisroel will speak to Hashem and be filled with Nevua. Since we will all speak to Hashem we cannot eat unkosher animal like Moshe could not nurse from Mitzri milk. This says Rav Levi Yitzchok is what he pasuk means. Why can’t we eat not kosher? “Laimor Aleihem”, since Hashem Hashem will speak to each and every one of us, we need to be careful that only pure food from clean sources enters our mouth.