It's a lazy summer
afternoon. Warm sunshine bathes the yard, and birds perch atop the trees whose
limbs are caressed by a gentle breeze. Sounds of playing children and chatting
adults waft up through the yard, and on the patio, an aroma of sizzling steak
rises from the barbecue.
This is a typical scene that
you have probably experienced more than once. We enjoy the camaraderie and
relaxed atmosphere and anticipate a delicious picnic. Your body has certainly
enjoyed the experience, but what of your soul? Did she enjoy it too?
We aren't hedonistic; we are
responsible members of society, and we contribute to the best of our abilities,
but every so often we like to relax and enjoy our little pleasures.Could digging into a barbecued steak be labeled divine service? We read and
chat, relax and play, eat and drink. How does our soul feel at such times?
Could digging into a barbecued steak be labeled divine service?
The Animal Serves
"When G‑d will broaden
your boundary and you will say my soul desires to eat meat, eat as much meat as
your soul desires."1
Have you ever heard of a
soulful desire for meat? We are familiar with soulful desires for prayer and
altruism; we are familiar with soulful yearnings for G‑d and devotion, but a
soulful desire for meat? What does the soul need with a cow's meat?
"Everything G‑d created, He
created for His glory."2
This means that every physical object could and should be used to serve and to
glorify its creator. It is our purpose to seek creative ways to
utilize everything in our path for G‑d's purposeAs humans, it is our purpose to seek creative ways to
utilize everything in our path for G‑d's purpose.
Every physical object
contains a spark of divinity that vivifies and animates it. The spark within
the human body is relatively free to express itself. Every time we pray, study,
or fulfill one of the commandments, we are cognizant of our divine spark.
The spark within an animal
is not so fortunate. It is constrained within a body that cannot give
expression to its divine purpose. It is an animal, incapable of cognitive
thought, intelligent expression, or freedom of choice. The only way an animal's
divine spark can fulfill its purpose and be used in G‑d's service is through
the assistance of a human.
When we consume the animal's
meat, digest it, and derive nourishment from it, the animal is elevated to the
human realm, and its spark is transferred to us. It can now be utilized in
G‑d's service.
We now have the option of
using the energy we derived from this nourishment to perform a noble deed or to
engage in devout prayer. In so doing, we afford the animal's divine spark an
opportunity to contribute to G‑d's glory.From its inception, this calf awaited
its opportunity From its inception, this calf awaited
its opportunity. Now that it has finally arrived, we have both the
responsibility and the sacred obligation to initiate it into the service of
G‑d.
The next time you attend a
backyard barbecue and see the meat sizzling on the grill, know that your soul
is salivating as well. Your glands salivate because you anticipate the tender,
barbecue-flavored meat. Your soul salivates because it can't wait to liberate
the divine spark embedded within that meat.
The Wellspring
Liberating the spark
benefits not only the animal, but also ourselves. In its state of imprisonment,
embedded, as it were, within a coarse and bullheaded animal, the spark
continually yearns for G‑d. This insistent and unceasing yearning builds up a
wellspring of pent up energy and sacred desire. As we liberate the spark, we
open its floodgates, release its pent up, incredibly sacred energy and channel
it into ourselves.
When we approach the
barbecue with the intention to free the divine spark and usher it into the
service of the divine, we benefit from the energy of the spark. But when we
approach the barbecue for the sole purpose of indulging our hedonistic desires,
we deny ourselves this wellspring of spiritual energy.
Blood Equals Passion
This is why the Torah
prohibits drinking the animal's blood. "Only be strong and do not consume the
blood, for the blood is the soul [life force]."3
Blood represents passion and
excitement; it carries the force of life. When our passion for meat is sacred
and related to G‑d, eating meat becomes a holy act in the service of the
divine. Eating meat becomes a holy act in the service of the
divineWhen we drink in the animal's proverbial blood, meaning when our
passion for the steak lies in the meat itself rather than its inherent
sanctity, we are in transgression of G‑d's holy will.
When we consume the animal's
meat for the purpose of liberating its divine spark, we control not only our
own fate, but also that of the animal. When we allow the animal's meat to hold
sway over our passions and excitement, we cede control to the animal.
Rather than incorporating
the animal within ourselves and raising it to the human realm, we are ourselves
lowered to the animal's level as we adopt coarse, animal-like characteristics.
In this state, we are unable to liberate the spark. It remains forever in captivity.4
This is why the Torah
concludes, "You shall not consume its [the animal's] soul along with the meat."5
The divine spark contained within the animal is its soul. If we succumb to the
animal's proverbial blood, if we allow our passions to be overtaken by our
interest in the meat rather than its soul, we will have consumed (read:
destroyed) the animal's soul along with its meat.
Such consumption is
hedonistic and wasteful. Such consumption cannot be labeled divine. We are
capable of better. We know how to bring our soul along with us to the barbecue.
When we do that, we come away strengthened, fortified by a new divine spark.6
