This morning we discuss a little-known Mitzvah, Kisui HaDam, the obligation to bury the Dam (blood) of a bird or non-domesticated animal when it is slaughtered for Kosher use. According to Rabbi Aharon of Barcelona, this is to show reverence for the substance that pulses life through the creature. According to Rabbi S.R. Hirsch, this is to allow the remains of the animal to return to the earth and, in decomposing, enrich our environment. Then we share the Talmudic rule that we must do this act with our hand, never with our foot, as we are never to treat an object of holiness with disrespect. This becomes a paradigm for our religious lives, to treat every object of a Mitzvah, and every person who presents us with the opportunity to do a Mitzvah, with a higher level of honour and sensitivity.

Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Quebec, and an adjunct professor at McGill University Faculty of Law. ADATH is a modern orthodox synagogue community in suburban Montreal, providing Judaism for the next generation. We take great pleasure in welcoming everyone with a warm smile, while sharing inspiration through prayer, study, and friendship.

Rabbi Whitman shares his thoughts and inspirations through online lectures and shiurim, which are available on:

YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/adathyoutube

Instagram: #adathmichael

Podcast - Mining the Riches of the Parsha:

Apple Podcasts - https://tinyurl.com/miningtheriches1

Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/miningtheriches3Stitcher: https://tinyurl.com/miningtheriches4

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