For those of you who don’t know President Obama signed into law that every March 22nd from now on will be Education and Sharing Day USA. Its a day when we should help educate and share insights. As a dog Blogger I struggled with this. What can I share today that will stand out from other educational posts I have written? We already did a post about toxins this week so that covers the fact that this week is National Poison Prevention Week. Yesterday we discussed why Rabbits don’t belong in Easter Baskets. And I don’t have any brilliant tips to share right now about how to keep your pet healthy. I am sure I have a few that might be of interest but nothing was popping up.
So back to thinking. Then I realized that Education and Sharing Day US is in memory of someone that was so knowledgeable both in Torah Law and Science that I should look for something that would bridge the two. Obviously to make it relevant for my Blog it would have to be about dogs so I started searching.
This day recalls the memory of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, who taught generations of young men and women the importance of education and good character. His work strengthened ties between people around the world, and his legacy continues to inspire the service, charity, and goodwill he championed in life. As we reflect on the example he and so many others have set, let each of us strive to better realize the values we share. – President Barack Obama
I thought that in honor of this day I would share a little insight about dogs mentioned in the Torah. Yes dogs are mentioned in the Bible and not in a negative way. In fact they are honored for not alerting their Egyptian Master to the Exodus from Egypt. Actually it is the only one of the negative commandments (there are 613 total only the first 10 are written on the tablet) that when fulfilled is a merit to the person fulfilling it. It involves giving meat to a dog that a Jewish person could not otherwise derive benefit from. The Torah specifically mentions dogs as opposed to any other animal in the world.
In Parshas Mishpatim 22:30 the Torah states; “V’Anshei Kodesh Tihiyun Li, UBasar BaSadeh Treifah Lo Tocheilu, LaKelev Tashlichun Oso”, “People of holiness shall you be unto Me; and meat in the field that has been made un-kosher (ripped or torn by another animal) you shall not eat; to the dog you shall throw it”. It is said that as the Jews were leaving Egypt, God did not allow the dogs of the land to bark at the Jewish people to alert the slave masters they were leaving. The dogs obeyed God’s command to be silent, they were rewarded by receiving the meat that was no longer kosher for a Jew to eat. It is said that the dogs went against their own nature to bark at strangers. I am sure most of your dogs will bark at a stranger going past your house especially if they have been trained to do so.
Wait a minute does the Bible talk about positive behavior training? Rewarding dogs for following a command. Even if you aren’t religious and don’t believe in the Bible it is very interesting that positive behavior training is discussed in a text so very old. The dogs in question were most likely herding dogs kept to help herd the cows and sheep protecting them from danger. The idea goes even further the meat in the field could only be torn or ripped by a predator like a fox or other animal but even if you suspect it was one of the dogs that did it you are still supposed to reward them with the meat for all the days and nights that they cared for and watched over your herd.
Your post is very educational. I have read that parash many times and I never caught the reference to dogs.
I can mention it during the seder.
Azeziin Pesach