C’mon Rabbi, you’re a bit too extreme.
For me, this is an all-too-familiar comment, which I take as a compliment. Usually, it has something to do with the length of some rituals, or the minutia of halacha (Jewish law).
Wouldn’t it be okay if we broke the fast on Yom Kippur at 5:00 instead of 7:48 this year? I can understand not eating pork – that’s a biggie. But why do I need to have certification on the meat and fish we eat?
Well… This Wednesday’s New York Times featured an article about fish. The Title speaks for itself:
Catfished by a Catfish: 1 in 5 Seafood Samples Is Fake, Report Finds
That’s right, even in the USA. Chances are – if you aren’t keeping strictly kosher – you have eaten a different fish than you’ve ordered. Endangered whale has replaced tuna, catfish has replaced cod and the list goes on. In some instances great health risks abound.
The worldwide study found that 20% of fish and seafood is mislabeled.
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This week’s Torah portion, Shoftim, begins with the Divine advice to establish judges and officers. The judges lay down the verdict and the officers enforce it.
In other words, it isn’t enough to know what to do. Even in the most ideal societies mistakes can happen. Certainly, then, in our imperfect world, we need some enforcement. Checks and balances are an important part of any relationship. The relationship with my body needs discipline in order to be fit and healthy. The relationship with my employer or employee needs boundaries as well.
How much more so, the relationship with my soul. If we are concerned about health risks to our bodies, shouldn’t we also be concerned with health risks for our souls?
The Chassidic Masters interpret this instruction to apply to ourselves as well. We need to set up ‘judges and officers’ in our own lives. This month, Elul, is a great time for stock-taking. The remaining weeks before Rosh Hashana are an ideal time to review the past year’s spiritual accomplishments and failings. And, we ought to establish our own personal safeguards to ensure that we live up to the standards we believe in. Seeing a state trooper alongside the highway has made many a proud man slow down. Having our own internal officers can go a long way to ensure fidelity to our faith and tradition.
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The next time I am walking down the supermarket aisle, scanning for kosher symbols, I will be thankful – rather than irked – at the extra layer of caution that is protecting my body and my soul!