When I am among the trees, I feel a little lighter. I feel the stress leave my body. Yes, I love witnessing the various shades of green, hearing the wind, and feeling the air on my face. But on reflection, I know I am at home outside because it is easier for me to be present in the forest. I am free from the dings of my phone and the buzz of the radio. In our modern lives, we are constantly consuming; we consume media on our phones and while we drive. We have many choices of what food and drink to take in and constant messaging about what is best for our bodies.
Our parasha, Sh’mini, too, offers guidance on what we consume. We read of a first description of the rules of kashrut – of what is fit and not fit to put into our bodies. We can eat animals that live in water that have fins and scales but not those that lack them. Personally, I find kashrut to be a meaningful system to guide my eating. Whether or not you do, I invite you to think about what it is you consume, whether food or media. Are there things you consume that do not “fit” the person you want to be? Could you imagine putting bounds on your consumption to help you be the best version of yourself? How could your community support you in that pursuit?