The Life of Joe Lieberman

Joe Lieberman & John McCain praying at the Kotel in Jerusalem, Israel

Last week, the late former senator Joe Lieberman of blessed memory was laid to rest among family, friends, and dignitaries. Among his many accomplishments was making history as the first Jewish candidate to represent a national party platform as Al Gore’s running mate during the 2000 presidential election. However, above all else, Lieberman's legacy is remembered for his proud observance of Judaism and his unwavering commitment to his values.

While addressing diverse audiences across the country, Lieberman would frequently share, "One thing my experiences have proven is that you can be religiously observant and still engage in the broadest work of society. We are fortunate to live in a country where you don't have to choose between your religious observance and your career goals."

In his book Gift of Rest, Lieberman recalls one particularly memorable Shabbat dinner that he and his wife, Hadassah, spent with the Gores during the hotly contested election recount.

“When we were done and it was time to leave, Al asked if we were going to walk home,” Lieberman wrote. “We said yes, and he and Tipper said they would accompany us. We resisted; but they persisted; and so on that beautiful December night, the four of us—with the Secret Service discreetly walking behind and security cars ahead and behind—walked … to our house” a little more than a mile away.

Kosher food was likewise something the entire D.C. establishment came to learn about. Once, Lieberman and a Jewish congressman found themselves having lunch on Air Force One with President Bill Clinton. The congressman joked that there were now two sandwiches for him because Joe wouldn’t touch his. “What do you mean,” Clinton shot back, “we have special sandwiches for Joe!”

Lieberman recalled that during the 2000 election season, while traveling around the country, the Secret Service would keep his hotel location classified for security purposes. However, upon arriving at his hotel room in city after city, he found a Kosher meal waiting for him, arranged by the local Chabad representatives.

Amazingly, over the past few decades, the Kosher food sector has grown into a multibillion dollar industry world-wide. A significantly large percentage of food items in our local grocery stores are certified Kosher. Travelers can expect to find hot Kosher meals at airport business lounges. Large brand names seek out Kosher certification for their products and many high-end Kosher restaurants have emerged to serve a growing diverse range of clientele making it more convenient than ever to eat Kosher.

The Hebrew word “Kosher” means fit or proper as it relates to Jewish dietary law.

In this week’s portion of Shmini, we learn about the identifying signs of Kosher animals, fish and birds.

As the verse states, “Speak to the children of Israel, saying: These are the creatures that you may eat among all the animals on earth: Any animal that has a cloven hoof that is completely split into double hooves, and which brings up its cud that one you may eat... These you may eat of all that live in water: anything in water, whether in the seas or in the streams, that has fins and scales—these you may eat (Leviticus 11:2-3,9).”

Some examples of permitted animals are cows, goats, sheep. Examples of Kosher fish are tuna, salmon, tilapia. However, animals or fish that are missing either both or one of these signs are considered non-kosher.

Though an ancillary hygienic benefit has been attributed to the observance of Kashrut, the ultimate purpose and rationale is outlined by G-d in the Torah and is beyond human intellect to fully comprehend.

At the same time, there are deeper insights and lessons we can learn from the laws of Kashrut for our own personal and professional lives. Just as there are certain types of foods which may be beneficial or detrimental to the human body, so too, Kosher foods are beneficial to the Jewish soul and body making us more sensitive to morality and spirituality.

Rabbi Moses ben Nachman (Spain 1194-1270), commonly known as Nachmanides, explains that food becomes a part of our flesh and blood. The characteristics and traits of the animal become a part of our inner makeup.

Kabbalah explains that everything in this world has a divine spark, its life force and energy, which is waiting to be elevated. When we use a particular substance for positive ends, we elevate it to a higher level. The same is true with regards to eating. When we use the energy we receive from Kosher food to become a better person, connect with G-d, and help others in need, we elevate the food as a result.

The signs by which the Torah identifies kosher animals contain profound insights into the way we should lead our lives. In general, by eating from an animal, we are supposed to be elevating it to serve a higher Divine purpose. In order to accomplish this, however, it is essential that we not act like animals ourselves, for then the animal merely moves from one animal state to another when we eat it.

The test of whether we are acting like people, rather than animals, lies in the way we interact and relate with the people and materialism around us. One of the signs of a Kosher animal is rumination, which alludes to the necessity of deliberating before engaging the animal, mundane aspects of life. We must weigh our intentions and actions, ensuring that they are purely toward elevating the world and purging them of any desire to simply indulge in sensuality for its own sake.

Before we think, speak or act in a particular manner we are instructed to chew it over and ask ourselves, “Does this really reflect who I am? Will it positively impact myself and the people around me?”

While it may seem overwhelming to make drastic changes overnight, we can all choose one area in which to improve. Whether it means making more of an effort to dine at Kosher restaurants and cafes when possible, ensuring that we consume Kosher meat, dairy and fish products in our homes, and educating ourselves, our families, and co-workers about the deeper meaning of Kosher and how we can integrate those values and lessons into our lives.

May we merit very soon to see the day when peace, goodness and kindness pervades the whole world with the coming of Moshiach!