Ask The Rabbi
8 June 1996
Issue #108
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This Issue Contains:
1.  Mad Cows and Englishmen
2.  Father's Wedding
3.  tricky Yiddle Riddle
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Rene Leermakers <leermake@natlab.research.philips.com> wrote:

>Dear Rabbi,
>
>I am wondering whether Jewish law would have prevented the mad-cow-disease
>problems in the UK.  Kosher animals are largely herbivorous and I have
>always thought that this is not accidental.  Is it forbidden to eat cows
>that eat meat?  Shalom

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Dear Rene Leermakers,

No, it's not forbidden to eat cows that eat meat.  In this sense, Kashrut
laws would not necessarily protect people from eating `mad-cows.'

But you're right:  It's not accidental that kosher animals are largely
herbivorous:

Rabbi S.R. Hirsch writes that vegetables -- in some respects -- are the
preferred food for a person's spirituality.  In the animal world,
herbivores are the most desirable for food:  Since they eat only plants,
they are nearer to the plant world than the carnivores.

Rabbi Hirsch draws a second parallel between kosher animals and plants:

Kosher animals have four stomachs:  The food passes through two stomachs,
goes up to the mouth and is chewed again, and is then sent down to the
other two stomachs.  "Thus," writes Rabbi Hirsch, "these animals spend a
great deal of time in the absorption of food, which may be termed the
vegetative activity of animals."  In this respect, kosher animals are more
`planty' than carnivores, which have short intestines and spend little time
in the passive, plant-like digestive activity.

Speaking of mad cows:
Two cows are having a chat (sh*moo*zing?) in the English countryside:
One cow says to the other:  "Bert, aren't you worried about this terrible
new disease that everyone's talking about?"
"Not at all," answers Bert.
"Why not?"
"Because I'm a squirrel."

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David Bitton <davidbi@microsoft.com> wrote:

>Dear Rabbi,
>
>Is one halachically allowed to attend the marriage of a parent?  For
>example my mother passed away many years ago, and my father is now
>remarrying.  I've heard that it is not permissible for the children to
>attend the wedding, is there any basis for this?
>PS If you could reply ASAP I would appreciate it, the wedding is next
>Sunday.

* * * * * * * * * *

Dear David Bitton,

Yes, there is a basis for this.  According to widespread custom, children
do not attend a parent's second marriage.  One logical explanation is that
the children's presence is a reminder of the first spouse, and could thus
mar the joy of the occasion.

I asked Rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashiv, shlita, about this custom.  He gave
the following explanation:  Children have an obligation to respect their
parents even after the parents have passed away.  Attending the marriage of
a surviving parent would be disrespectful to the deceased parent.

Sources:
Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De'ah 240:9 & Rema

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tricky Yiddle Riddle

At the end of Moshe's life, Hashem shows Moshe the entire land of Israel.
But where does the Torah indicate that Moshe saw Chevron long before that?
Answer next week!
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