"It was taught in the Beis Medrash of Rabbi Yishmael, if the only action that stood in Bnei Yisrael's merit was the fact that they do not defile themselves by eating those beings that crawl, this would have been sufficient to merit the redemption from Mitzrayim" [Bava Metzia 61b as quoted in Rashi Vayikra 11:45]
What's so significant about avoiding a particular cuisine ?
The pesukim immediately preceding give us a clue.
"... And you shall sanctify yourselves and you shall be sanctified ..." [11:44]
"...do not defile yourselves through them and you will be defiled" [11:43]
All of our actions invariably affect our holiness. Who we are is defined to a large extent by what we do, or avoid doing. When we sanctify ourselves - we are sanctified. And when we defile ourselves, chas veshalom, we become defiled.
This attitude of "holiness responsibility" forms the foundation for our approach to spirituality. It is also patently evident why it presented sufficient cause for the Holy One to redeem us from Mitzrayim.
Just like this realization ( and the subsequent actions and inactions it engendered ) were the cornerstone of redemption in the past - may they serve us in the same capacity to hasten the final redemption, speedily and in our days, amen.
Hatzlacha !!
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