Have you heard the biblical story about our forefather Jacob who had a big fight with an angel? During the battle, the angel dislocated Jacob's hip and therefore Jewish people don't eat a specific part of the cow called the sirloin steak.
Why is this story so important to remember? We aren't just remembering the that the angel touched Jacob’s hip joint, we are remembering the entire story of Jacob’s battle and his survival from the angel. By saving Jacob, Hashem was telling the Jewish people that despite all the persecutions they would suffer from of the nations and the descendants of Esau, they would never be destroyed.
It's a reminder that even when bad things happen to the Jewish People, G-d will step in to make sure we survive and thrive. Although they always try to annihilate us in every generation, including now, Hashem will always ensure that we will succeed and never be destroyed.
Jews don't eat the back part of a cow because we are not sure how to take out the sciatic nerve.
So, when ordering food (even if you aren't yet fully Kosher), maybe think twice about getting a sirloin steak. It's not just about the taste — it's a way of saying thanks to Hashem for keeping us safe and caring for us.
And hey, if you're curious about following the kosher rules more closely, there's a cool book called "Going Kosher in 30 Days." It even has an app to help you out!
Have a good shabbos,
Rabbi Kushi Schusterman