In this week's parsha we read about the kosher and non-kosher animals. The Torah describes some of the non-kosher creatures as "sheratzim" which is loosely translated as "creepy crawlers". The Hebrew word "sheratzim" can also be read as she-ratzim which would be translated as "that run". In this sense, creatures that "run" are not kosher and are not fit for our consumption. A Jew needs to try and always keep calm and leveled, things that "run" are simply not fit for us. I think right now our lives have basically paused in one way or another, nobody is running anywhere. It has given us a valuable opportunity to slow down our lives, to stop the constant running, to pay attention to our surroundings. I believe it has brought family and friends much closer and has opened our eyes in many ways.

When we are finally IY'H are able to go back to "normal" we have to ask ourselves, we will be changed people? I read an article from a great Torah Scholar Rabbi Aharon Lopiansky, who asked this question. His answer gave tremendous insight into the human psyche. Although our eyes have been opened, we may appreciate the simple things in life that we always took for granted, we may finally realize how much our spouses do at home, or gained valuable insight into our spouses and childrens' lifestyles and character, in most cases we will not change. We will quickly go back to our old ways and attitudes. How could this be? Is everything we feel and think now fake? Of course it is not fake, but our nature will thrust us back to the reality we have been living until this pandemic. Unless we decide to change and capitalize on this experience. We can't sit back and just think that our feelings now will automatically change us, we need to take steps to make those changes a reality in our lives.

Stay healthy and Shabbat Shalom,

Heath