Rabbi Chessir

Shmini talks about which animals and fish are kosher. It mentions one bird – the Chasida – which does chessed for its own species. Rambam says that the reason why certain birds are tomay is because their nature is evil and their midot is harmful. It is possible, therefore, that if people eat it, the nature will attach to the neshama of the eater. Here is the problem: The Chasida is not kosher but its nature seems …

…you are aware that they are forbidden because they are evil, and you digest it anyway – you are in essence becoming attached to that evil. That is why a child can have that non-kosher milk. He’s not demonstrating an intentional attachment and tolerance for the evil. Hopefully, by acknowledging and then limiting ourselves from attachments that can have negative effects we can instead look for the attachments that will bring us closer to Hashem.