Friday, September 5, 2025

Dubious Digestion

One can only become a בן סורר ומורה if the food he eats is kosher [.משנה סנהדרין ע"א].

Great lesson: People think that if the food is kosher  - everything is kosher. 

A vacation package is advertised. It features, among other איסורי דאורייתא - "family swimming". Hmmmm. But the food - kosher! [Like the "Orthodox" summer camp I regretfully attended as a תינוק שנשבה בין הכלבים (on the UWS there are LOADS of כלבים. The dog capital of the world). Endless איסורי דאורייתא and דרבנן. About zero יראת שמים. A spiritually and emotionally toxic environment. But the food was kosher]. 

The בן סורר ומורה is executed according to the אבן עזרא b/c he is a hedonist. He just wants physical pleasure. We shouldn't think that is OK as long as it has an OU.

On the other hand - if he eats in the context of a mitzva - he is also not a בן סורר ומורה.  

He is not great Tzadiik - he stole from his father and is a fresser. But if he ate in a חבורת מצוה there is hope!!:-)!!