The Baal Shem Tov used to say: “Love your fellow man as yourself. You know that you have
many faults, nevertheless you still love yourself. That is how you should feel towards your
fellow man. Despite his faults, love him.” (Likutei Avraham, p.221). Easier said than done, as there are many tendencies of human nature that prevent us from loving our neighbors. The main impediment to this commandment is jealousy.
As a vegetarian since childhood and vegan for almost a decade, I was never too concerned with the laws of Kashroot. In our parashah, G‑d commands the kosher laws, the distinction between permissible and forbidden animal species, for consumption. Land animals may be eaten only if they have split hooves and also chew their cud; fish must have fins and scales; a list of non-kosher birds is given, and a list of kosher insects (four types of locusts). Why the Torah command us to eat only Kosher food? G-d put the people on a special diet. If they follow the kosher diet their souls, their neshamah will stay holy.