What the Kosher Signs Described in Parshat Shemini Tell Us about a Behavior Common on Social Media

The following from Rabbi Yehuda Mandel's Bitachon Weekly, Parshat Shemini 5782, page 14, is particularly applicable in our times.

It helps us to know that the self-promoting aspects of social media, the need to announce to the world, "I just brushed my teeth!" and so on...are all aspects of Esav & represent the pig's nature to show off his kosher sign (which is a fake sign) to garner unwarranted kavod for being kosher (which he is not):

Split hooves can symbolize an open and giving hand, such as for Tzedaka and Chesed.

A closed hoof is a sign of stinginess, and is therefore a Siman Tum’ah [a sign of impurity]. A Chazir pig is Treife even though it has split hooves, since it does not chew its cud.

Eisav is compared to a Chazir, who sticks out his hooves to show he is kosher, but on the inside is crooked in his heart. [Chazal35].

A person who does Tzedaka and Chesed, but needs to advertise to all, is acting like a Chazir.

A true kosher animal is happy with what he has [chews its cud] and can therefore give, without having the need to tell others.

A Chazir is not satisfied with what he has [he does not chew his cud] and so must stick out his hooves. He needs to garner Kavod for his good deeds to supplement his lack of happiness.

We must try hard to chew our cud and enjoy what we already have, so that we will be happy to give others without receiving Kavod from them.

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