Moses instructed the Jewish people regarding how they must distinguish themselves from other peoples in order to remain true to their Divine mission. These instructions included the laws regarding bodily mutilation and kashrut (i.e., permitted vs. forbidden types of food).
In the words of Rabbi Yisrael Baal Shem Tov, the founder of Chasidism, "Every Jew is as precious to G-d as an only son born to his parents in their old age is to them -- and, in fact, even more precious."
We should all live our lives as if the entire world were created for each of us individually, and awaits our unique contributions to its destiny.
From Kehot's
Daily Wisdom