The Spiritual Symphony of Creation

We are commanded in the Torah: “Do not cook a kid in its mother’s milk” (Exodus 23:19). This prohibition applies not only to eating meat and milk together, but even to cooking them together. One of the deeper reasons behind this commandment connects directly to the topic at hand.

The Spiritual Structure Behind Meat and Milk

Everything in the physical world has a corresponding root in the spiritual realm. Especially humanity, the pinnacle of creation, is like a ladder standing on earth but reaching the heavens- each physical action we take has spiritual consequences above.

Meat is rooted in the divine attribute of Gevurah (judgment/severity), symbolized by its red color. Milk comes from Chesed (kindness/mercy), represented by its white color. Cooking meat in milk, therefore, symbolically causes a kind of “spiritual short circuit” in the upper worlds, creating damage that reverberates through creation.

By contrast, wine (which also derives from Gevurah, but on a milder plant-based level) is traditionally mixed with water (rooted in Chesed) before sanctifying it with a blessing. This act represents sweetening judgment with kindness.

Levels of Severity in Food Laws

The Torah laws reflect different levels of severity in foods:

• Blood (deep red) is strictly forbidden to eat under any condition.

• Meat (also red) is permitted, but only after ritual slaughter and salting to remove blood.

• Milk (white) is permitted.

• Wine (red but from plants) is permitted and ideally mixed with water to temper its strict nature.

Interestingly, science confirms that blood in meat spoils rapidly due to bacterial growth. Kosher-slaughtered and salted meat stays fresh longer, reducing health risks.

The Colors Within the Human Body

The human body is composed of white bones (representing Chesed) covered by red flesh (representing Gevurah). Remarkably, blood itself, red in appearance, is produced within white bone marrow- suggesting that even judgment arises from kindness.

Red blood cells provide oxygen and nourishment (Gevurah/duty), while white blood cells defend the body from harmful intruders (Chesed/protection). Spiritually, this parallels G-d not only providing for His creations but also protecting them.

The Meaning of Colors in the Plant World

Recent research has uncovered that fruits and vegetables of similar colors often contain similar nutrients that target specific body systems:

• Red produce (tomatoes, strawberries, pomegranates, grapes) supports the heart and blood due to high antioxidant levels.

• White produce (onions, garlic, radishes) boosts immunity and kills bacteria- garlic is even dubbed “nature’s antibiotic.”

This pattern mirrors how red and white blood cells function in the body. Color also hints at which organs the food benefits:

• Yellow produce (corn, yellow peppers) supports eye health, as yellow resembles light.

• Green produce (lettuce, parsley) helps fight cancer and detoxify the body, like the green of plants that purify air through photosynthesis.

• Orange produce (carrots, apricots, mangoes) nourishes the skin, matching its natural tone.

The shape of many fruits even mimics the body part they benefit- highlighting the intricate design of creation (explored further in related texts).

Everything is Spiritually Connected

The vast diversity of nature can seem random or disconnected to a busy observer. But pausing to reflect reveals how each detail, whether mineral, plant, animal, or human is interconnected. The deep symmetry in creation points to a single Creator.

Creation is a harmonious, interwoven masterpiece. Every color, shape, and function reflects a divine intelligence. “How great are Your works, O G-d; You made them all with wisdom.” (Psalms 104:24)