Parsha
Shemini D’Var Torah
Shabbat
Nissan 18/19, 5773 March 29/30, 2013
A
Kind and Good Soul
And
G-D said (in regarding the laws of Kashrut and Non-Kashrut), “11:19 Ve'et hachasidah
ha'anafah leminah ve'et-haduchifat ve'et-ha'atalef
The
stork and the heron, to its kind. The
hoopoe and the bat.” (NOT KOSHER)
The
Talmud teaches us that the “Hachasidah”, The
Stork was given this name due to its
kindness and nature to others and instinctive quality of doing “Chesed” (Kindness) with other members
of its own species. It is believed that
when a person eats and digests an animal, part of that soul is also absorbed
into yours. Interesting, as the Stork is
NOT KOSHER, yet has a soul that exudes caring and that of kindness. So wouldn’t we absorb the loving, caring, and
kind nature? Hmmm?
Closer
Look: The Stork does indeed perform acts
of kindness, BUT only with in its own species, its own family. “KINDNESS”, if it is to be performed
properly, is not on a selective basis! Chesed is one of the primary foundations
of OUR personality and just one of the great attributes to G-D, and the Hebrew Word,
“Rav” (Great) – “Rav Chesed” is appended.
As a person, you are obligated to act upon G-D’s example, that of
“Chesed”. It is more than just being
kind or acts of giving, but it is your ability to totally shift your own
concerns and focus, to that of others.
We
as humans should focus and remain with the other person’s issue at hand, and
their concerns. Kindness should be
practiced to ALL of those in need, and not only a selective few, here and
there.
The
Stork (the animal in question) only performs acts of kindness for its own
pleasure and satisfaction, which if a person did that exact action, that is a
LACK of kindness as it is done at a convenience or that of choice. Therefore is
it really that kind?
Your
undertaking to help on a selective basis in order to effect for your own
admiration or self-fulfilling need, is NOT only selfish, but honestly demeans
the entire concept of Kindness, that of “Chesed”
There
are those benevolent, kind and giving people that donate thousands, and
millions of dollars on a consistent basis to help aide others in need. The act
of consistency is the key! There are
those persons that donate their own time to various causes in need. The act of
their volunteering on a consistent basis is the key. There is the young child that gives of his or
her own allowance to a person on the street in need of a meal, be it a nickel
or a dollar, that child performed that as an act of true kindness, and if
circumstances allowed, I bet he or she would give to more in need! Then there’s the lost dog in your
neighborhood, and you feel awful, and know what exactly to do…you look at the
tag, you make the call, he/she goes back home to his/her family, and the family
that lost the dog also feels the act of kindness, in addition to the dog!
True
and honest kindness shows no prejudice; it shows no favoritism; it shows no
selectiveness, it has no race, it has no religion, it isn’t hateful, and it has
no reason for deceit, and is 100% color and gender blind.
So
if we are what we eat, and act upon that very fact, I’m glad I do NOT eat
stork, that of selective kindness. As my choice is absorb into my deep soul all
the good, and all the love, and to offer my hand in kindness to all.
I
feel it is our obligation and our calling to put out our hands to “ALL” in
need, so help that hungry person find a meal, donate to a worth-while
organization or cause, spend time volunteering, or helping or reading to the
elderly or visually impaired, or reach something that is placed too high in the
grocery store for a person that is unable to get it , walking your dog on a
regular basis, holding your child’s hand, acknowledging your family, going up
to a person with-out a smile AND SHARING YOURS!
Your
own kindness comes from within, deep in your soul, so today I ask of you;
Reach
down into that beautiful and loving soul and open your hand and grab another’s
hand in need the very next time it is needed.
-Amen-
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