Circular Logic

In all likelihood a briefer post tonight, not only because of the limited content in this evening's aliyah but also because, in addition to sleep, I think I may want to spend some time further reflecting - in non-writing fashion - on the laws of "purity" and "impurity." 

Before I launch into a more substantive discussion, I want to highlight that if you are doing anything with the Torah beyond using it as a mere intellectual or academic exercise - i.e., applying it to your own life - you're going to have to brave it with equal parts trust and discomfort.  Why?  Well, nowadays almost nothing is truly out of bounds and words like "pure" and "impure" are sure to raise serious eyebrows.  Why should we trust anything in a book that we can't understand?; people seem to be living just fine without following this guidelines.  But once we give ourselves "permission to believe" (not my phrase but one I truly do love) - and bring our trust and willingness to get uncomfortable to the table, it's amazing what opens up.

The same applies to a reading of a verse which I believe nothing other than the Torah could get away with in VaYikra 11:43.  In relation to its prohibition against eating "creeping things," the Torah, by way of explanation states, "Do not make abominable your souls through any creeping thing that creeps; do not contaminate yourselves through them lest you become contaminated through them."

Imagine saying this in any other context - you'd be hit with a "circular logic!" criticism in a matter of seconds.  I can just see a teacher or a judge trying to explain it in futility: "Don't eat this contaminated thing."  "Why?" "Because it will contaminate you."  "But how will it contaminate me?"  "Because it's contaminated."  And of course a conclusion which is truly beyond logic: "And why is it contaminated?"  "Because G-d said so."

But in the Torah, with trust and a willingness to get comfortable in a space beyond logic, it is amazing what doors open up.  What if I decided to step out of my own logical intellect and accept that maybe, just maybe, there is even an inkling of divine holiness in this Sacred Book and that I should begin to live my life more in tune with that holiness?  What might happen then?  Many commentators talk about how eating kosher earns one a place in the World to Come.  I sure hope I have a spot there, whatever that may mean, but I think I've made clear that my priority is not on sacrifice now for heavenly reward (which, again, is and could be a side benefit).  My priority is living in tune with divine vibrations and guidance right now and for this world, first of all because that's worthy to me on its own, but also because it just makes me feel better and healthier, which again is worthwhile but perhaps importantly makes filling my divine purpose(s) easier. 

So try some circular logic on for size.  You may just happen to find that, again, with enough trust, faith, and "permission to believe"/a willingness to get uncomfortable, you might actually like it.