The Rabbis give us a fascinating insight into one aspect of preparation that Moshe undertook to make himself fitting to speak with HaShem and stand on Har Sinai to receive the Torah.

The gemara in Sotah (12b) tells us that after Miriam followed the infant Moshe as he floated down the river, and saw him picked out of the water by Basya, Pharaoh’s daughter, she asked if it was necessary to get a Jewish wet-nurse from whom he would feed. Why? Because Moshe, through Divine Inspiration, refused the milk from Egyptian women.

The gemara teaches that it was not fitting for the same mouth that would speak with the Creator of the Universe to nurse from women who ate non-kosher food, therefore causing Moshe to taste the traife being transmitted through the milk. Even as a young infant, Moshe was preparing himself to communicate with HaShem and to be the transmitter of His Torah.

However the halacha states that it is permissible for a Jewish child to nurse from a non-Jewish woman (Rama, Yoreh Deah 81:7). The non-kosher food the wet-nurse consumes does not render her milk traife. Nonetheless, the halacha says that it is certainly preferable for a Jewish child to feed from a Jewish woman who only eats kosher food.

The commentators, therefore, conclude that this is the reason Moshe refused the Egyptian women. It wasn’t a kashrus issue per se, rather he was inspired to elevate himself by ensuring a higher level of sanctity when it came to the food (milk) he put in his mouth - for he would use his mouth to communicate with HaShem and teach Torah to Klal Yisroel.

This lesson is very appropriate for us as we approach Shavuos. Not only must we maintain our exemplary standards of kashrus, but we should also understand that the quality of the food we put in our mouths has a direct impact on our physical health and spiritual wellbeing. We use our mouths to learn and pray. These are sublime acts that give us the opportunity to transcend the mundane. Should the same mouth that communicates with our Father in Heaven blurt out hurtful speech or consume unhealthy foods?

“Maaseh avos simon l’banim – the actions of our fathers are indicators for the children.” Shouldn’t we learn from Moshe that even if something is technically kosher, it might still not be in our best interest to eat? We can’t claim ignorance to the harmful effects many non-nutritious foods have on us. Mustn’t we do all we can to elevate our bodies to best be able to carry out the commandments HaShem has given us? Do we need Divine Inspiration to do so? Or can we simply internalize this lesson from Moshe’s youth, and use it to inform our choices regarding our eating behaviors.

 Good שבת  and חג שמח

Rabbi Eli Glaser, CNWC, CWMC is a Certified Nutrition, Wellness & Weight Management Consultant and Director of SOVEYA (Changing the Jewish World - One Pound at a Time). To contact Soveya: 443-501-3082, info@soveya.com or www.soveya.com