By Avraham Sani
Parshat Shemini famously commands us with the appropriate signs to identify kosher animals. Only those with split hooves and also chew their cud are permissible to eat. Chazal relate that a few animals exist that possess only one of the two signs. Camels chew their cud but lack split hooves. Similarly, pigs proudly display their split hooves despite not chewing their cud.
R’ Shimshon Pinkus harps on the essence of this mitzva. This mitzva conveys that a Jew must possess both ‘signs,’ in action and spirit. The external sign of split hooves, represents that doing mitzvot without inner passion or devotion, is lacking in his Avodat Hashem. Likewise, one who believes that solely loving, trusting, honoring Hashem is necessary, and views mitzvot as purely optional, is also greatly mistaken, and is comparable to a camel who only chews its cud. Either approach is insufficient. The Torah specially gives an external and internal sign to hint that a ‘kosher’ Jew is only one who is loyal and faithful to Hashem on both fronts!
Chazal tell us that when we will merit Mashiach’s presence, Hashem will elevate the pig (Commentators debate what exactly this practically means). From this we can learn that performing mitzvot even without proper subordinance to Hashem is nevertheless praiseworthy, and will be rewarded. It also trumps those who are just believers internally and don’t follow mitzvot. As only the pig will arise over the other non-kosher animals, who have the internal sign of chewing their cud. May we all see tremendous growth in our Avodat Hashem. Amen V’Amen.
Shabbat Shalom