"You are what you eat." This week’s Torah portion of Shemini tells us about the signs of kosher animals:
1) they have split hooves and 2) they chew their cud.
Let’s look closer at these signs. Kosher animals have split hooves, meaning their feet are divided.
Similarly, we can divide our daily activities into two lists. One includes spiritual activities like praying,
studying, giving charity, and helping others. The other includes daily tasks like eating, playing, reading,
talking, and getting dressed. Though they are different types of activities, we don’t have to separate
these two lists from each other. Instead, they can be like two parts of a single hoof.
Our spiritual beliefs help guide us through our daily activities, but this isn’t always easy. When we talk,
read, or play, we’re busy with what we’re doing and we don't always think about the intention behind it.
Here's where the second kosher sign - chewing the cud - teaches an important lesson. Animals take time
to chew their cud. They bring up their food over and over again. This teaches us to take time, to think
things over, and plan. This Shabbat, find the time to take that extra moment to think things over.