בס"ד
"ואנשי קדש תהיון לי ובשר בשדה טרפה לא תאכלו, לכלב תשליכון
אותו" [שמות כב:ל]
“And you shall be
a people of holiness, a carcass of the field you shall not eat, but rather
throw it to the dogs” [Shemos 22:30]
Rashi comments that this instruction to grant meat that was
not schechted properly to the dogs is an eternal gesture of gratitude to
“man’s best friend”. During the exodus from Egypt the dogs were under strict
divine instructions not to bark out at the leaving Jews. To thank the obedient
dogs – Hashem commanded that they be given first priority in discarded meat.
Before we begin to examine this idea – let us remember – the
dogs that we give the meat to are not the same dogs who refrained from
ruining the atmosphere at the Israelites triumphant exit. So this overture is,
in reality, completely symbolic.
More interesting, however, is the way the
passuk introduces the idea. In order to be a people of holiness, we must have
special restrictions that separate us from the world at large. But, just as
necessary to generating that holiness is the idea that while we may be set
apart by our laws – we can and must bridge the gap with our demeanor. Holiness
may equal separate-ness – but it does not equal aloofness. And to
really underscore the point – we even don’t hold ourselves aloof from the
animals! Rather, we insist on being completely aware of even the smallest of
kindnesses that they perform for us. And what’s more – we take that awareness
and translate it into action. That’s true holiness.
This Shabbos – let us make an extra
effort to notice all the goodness that surrounds us and even try to express our
gratitude for these little things.
Hatzlacha !!
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