For better or for worse, meat is an undeniable favorite on the kosher menu. Is this good? Let’s have a look . . .
111 Comments Posted
interesting article. I love the pun punch line "...the completion of G‑d's universal plan is at steak.' lol.
|
What we are learning is that everyone has different dietary requirements, based on genetics. Some people may do well with eating hardly any meat, while others may need to more meat. We all have a need for vitamin B12 which is only found in animal products, so if you are a vegetarian, it is important to supplement with this vitamin.
|
That is a good punchline, written with Wisdom beyond compare. Thank You for lightening the mood.
|
This was a rationalization to ease people's guilt over the modern meat industry.
1. Google "factory farming" and "cruelty" and click on "video" and see/learn how cruel the industry is today. We orthodox obsess about meat's hechsher and yet blind ourselves to the tzar l'baal chayim of the industry. Men + animals + money ALWAYS = extravagant greed and cruelty.
2. The raising of cattle for us billions entails ongoing destruction of enormous amounts of S. American forests, resulting in ongoing extinctions of many of Hashem's wondrous species. Vast rangelands out west also crowd out wildlife.
3. We have turned meat into a snack. We can eat a lot less of it and learn how to cook with the many grains, veggies, spices, and herbs to make great meals which didn't harm flesh and blood creatures. If you can't be a vegetarian, at least save meat for special occassions.
Slaughtering animals does them a favor? What narcissism! And a turn off to Jews you are trying to reach!
|
Unless we think animals are like stones, we need so much faith in G-d to slaughter and eat an animal in his name, with the purpose of elevating it. I suppose that in general, people think that they have this faith, but actually their material desire for meat is the last word. If meat would not be tasty, who would practice this mitzva with the animals so frequently? Therefore, it's obvious that for most people, the consuming of meat is justified for the pleasure, and not for the faith. But it's pleasant to don't think about that (in another words, to misunderstood ourselves). As consequence, the animals are facing the stealing of their lifes. I don't have all this faith in G-d. If one day I repent, my last change will be practicing a sherrita. But probably I'll never get this level. That's why I am a vegetarian.
|
Rabbi Davidson fails to address several important issues:
* animal-based diets are contributing to an epidemic of diseases;
* animal-based agriculture emits more greenhouse gases (18% in CO2 equivalents) than all the cars and other means of transportation worldwide combined (13.5%), and global warming threatens all of humanity.
* The production and consumption of meat and other animal products violate basic Jewish mandates to protect human health, treat animals with compassion, preserve the environment, conserve natural resources, help hungry people and pursue peace.
|
"if the human being is but another beast, then killing a man is the equivalent of killing of an animal. It was this attitude and behavior which prompted G‑d to cleanse the world with the Great Flood."
WOW great wisdom!
|
Hugo,
What do you think it takes to reach this level?
|
From the article: "Therefore one should only eat meat if one will be able to accomplish more with the meat than one would be able to with vegetation."
OK, so let's assume for a second that all the current scientifc research and medical studies are accurate and at the end of the day, eating meat shortens your life and is more disease-producing than vegetarianism. Then eating meat actually leads you be capable of accomplishing less, not more.
Is it not then a sin to eat meat?
And if we are not sure whether eating meat means accomplishing more, which side should one err on?
|
My grandfather was an ultra-orthodox Kosher butcher. Interestingly, he loved animals and rescued many stray dogs and cats. He even used to bring home birds who had fallen out of their nests and try to nurse them back to health. In fact, his friend, Rabbi Tucazinsky, Rosh Yeshivat Etz Chaim in Jerusalem, used to pet the head of every animal in our house, exclaiming "they are all G-d's creatures." A year before he died, my grandfather had occasion to visit a slaughterhouse (which he had not done in many years). He abruptly closed his shop and stopped eating meat. While he never shared me the details of what he had seen, he indicated that it was so horrific, he could not be a participant on any level.
|
Honoring the Shabbat and holidays has nothing to do with meat. And can we really perform more mitzvot by eating meat? And we are allowed, but are we actually required to eat meat? This article is one-sided, biased, and mistaken. By the way, meat consumption is responsible for 18% of greenhouse gasses, and leaves a larger carbon footprint that all planes, trains, trucks, cars, and boats COMBINED! Talk about tikkun olam (as the Reform like to talk about)
Orthodox Vegetarians rule!
|
...you might say that orthodox vegetarians rule, but I suppose you know that the Real Ruler is G-d and His will and wisdom is manifested in His Torah-where He allowed the slaughter of kosher animals and the consumption of meat. By the way, the Shulchan Aruch (Code of Jewish Law), prescribes eating meat as part of honoring Shabbat and the holidays, unless one does not enjoy eating it or becomes ill by eating it-not because of animal rights or greenhouse effects-be real!! Is incredible how so many people like to rationalize everything according to their own views and whims
|
No such thing. The Torah calls for many animal offerings in the Holy Temple; depending on the category of offering, the meat must either be eaten by the Kohanim on duty and/or the one bringing the offering - or be totally burned on the Altar.
|
I feel the Rabbi could have provided a more complete picture of both sides. For instance, he didn't mention that red meat is linked to health problems, meaning this might be (or become) an issue of pikuach nefesh.
The Rabbi didn't mention that Rav Kook was a strong proponent of vegetarianism: "His powerful words on vegetarianism are found primarily in A Vision of Vegetarianism and Peace (edited by Rabbi David Cohen, "The Nazir")."
The Rabbi also didn't mention that meat consumption impoverishes certain continents/countries, because it takes an inordinate amount of grain to feed the cattle that we eat (grain and foodstuffs we could be giving to starving people).
There are many other "pro-vegetarian" points from a Torah standpoint. The Torah certain permits meat-eating, but I'm not sure it "encourages" it given what we are learning today. A more well-rounded view would have better served the readers.
|
It is not that one has 2kill an animal 2show that one is different from it. People refrain from killing animal owing 2the ethic of it as our understanding of how we are part of an eco-system just as well. Superiority has nothing to do in this issue.
It should however be acknowledged that animals feel pain and have emotions.
Uri from Orlando has got it all wrong when he posits G-d in a destructive one-way avenue. Greenhouse issue is real, animals should b treated with more dignity, production of grains & vegetables should not b solely directed towards the production of meat at the expense of millions of poor on the brink of famine and water shortage.
We therefore have 2change our ways 2 adress these issues in a REAL perspective and not through religious injunctions which would worsen the problem if followed dogmatically.
Vegetarians may b sentimental over animal killing but they r so right in what they do as the benefits outweighs by far any so called G-ds dietary laws!
|
Dear Randy,
You asked me:
What do you think it takes to reach this level?
It's a good question. Hard to answer.
In one side, a rational side, the animals have the interest in its life, freedom and integrity, because they are sentient. They don't care about our beliefs.
Therefore, in the other side, a supernatural side, you need to trust so much in G-d, to be able to make or agree with a sherrita, because you are not just practicing your religion for youself, you are intervening in another's life! (in the case, the animal's life, sentient beings).
That's why you need so much faith in G-d to get to this point (that in a rational view, is awful, unfair).
In conclusion, I don't know how to get to this level.
|
Rav Kook's view is mentioned in the article in the footnotes (3). The author writes that Rav Kook "insists that this ideal is not to be assumed as the norm until the coming of Moshiach when human nature will be completely refined. Until then, he warns, such restrictions may have detrimental effects on man's moral behavior."
Interestingly, for those that question the sacrifice of animal life in order to maintain a our moral standards, I'm surprised the author did not mention that one group which was very concerned with animal welfare in recent times was .... the Nazis.
Recently, a major study was published showing that lots of red meat increases mortality risk: tinyurl.com/dljkzb
However, the study did not rule our that meat as part of a balanced diet can actually prevent chronic disease. The focus was that, if consumed EXCESSIVELY, meat will make you sick.
Driving a car also produces greenhouse gasses, and owning one impoverishes those we could've given the money we spent.
|
...obviously you view Torah as man-made and imperfect. My view is completely the opposite. So is not that I have it all wrong-it is ,that I just believe in a completely set of values. I believe in a G-D given divine Torah. People don't die of hunger in the world because of the reasons you stated above , but by the greed and lack of compassion that humans have displayed througout the ages.
|
I do not disagree with the what u said about greed & lack of compassion Uri... However it is just a blunt comment with no focus on the issue at hand...What can we do to stop human from dying owing 2 greed & lack of compassion?...Should we continue 2 stuff our face with meat produced from grains explicitly produced in poorer countries 4 the production of meat 2 be sold 2 rich countries? ARENT WE THE ONES WHO R GREEDY AND LACK COMPASSION? Compassion towards whom? Man, animals, environment, ourselves!
If we change our diet & consume more vegetables instead, we could stop meat production on a mass scale, forest being cleared out, grains & water resources being diverted solely for meat production, reduce methane emission owing 2 meat industry (the greatest polluter on earth even more than co2 from use of motorized vehicles). It is the demand 4 meat that drives entrepreneurs 2 put so much resources into meat production with the results being an acceleration in global warming! Wake up Man!
|
I was a vegetarian for ten years. I read a great deal on Judaism and vegetarianism at the time. I would go so far as saying as I was an activist.
But
I got sick. I became anemic. Yes yes, i was eating properly. I even went to a dietician. I was put on supplements but in my view, being on supplements and not food, is not a good thing.
Eating excesses of anything isn't good for you, whether its animal protein or fruit or what have you.
Perhaps we should be eating EXCESSIVELY, which is really more the problem these days.
And someone asked about if eating meat is unhealthy and we are doing our body harm, how about the opposite - what if i am doing harm by the lack of vitamins from NOT eating animal protein?
|
You wrote:
"Interestingly, for those that question the sacrifice of animal life in order to maintain a our moral standards, I'm surprised the author did not mention that one group which was very concerned with animal welfare in recent times was .... the Nazis."
I have heard this from many people, and it is far from the truth. It was not on the Nazi agenda to be kind to animals, and many of their gaurd dogs suffered from pure brutality, which shouldn't surprise us. Even if it WAS true, by logical extension, if the Nazis were good to their mothers, should we therefore not be good to our mothers? Or if they liked pizza, then we shouldn't like pizza?
And please explain to me again how killing animals preserves our moral standards? Can we all just at least cut way back on our use of animal products?
|
I just heard that shrimp was okay to eat.
I hope I wasn't misinformed, as shrimp has become a meal that I eat about 4 x a month.
Please let me know.
|
Shame
How can someone think that the dead of one is the salvation of an other...
I do not accept the teaching that by eating meat and sacrifice of animals we elevate that being (animal)...
Life is a sacred thing and we should not kill at less we are in a situation of din rodef..that is protecting our own life of that of others...that means we should sanctify life and let the animals live...
Thinking to elevate by killing is a very dangerous and erroneous idea...
Why exicst the teaching that wolf and lamb will stay near one another without the wolf hurting the lamb...when the Mashiah comes
also the animals will have peace from us humans...
There was a great thinker, Nobel prize Literature, with the name of Isaac Bashevis Singer who could teach many of the righteous in their one eyes many things
Sorry but I feel revolted against those weaklings that use their lust for meat and transform it in mesorah..but with little m...
Shalom to all life G-d created
|
guys try to become like Adam and do not eat meat . if you can be like Adam in his first day then you may not meat . in truth you non have to eat any thing .
To the guy of shrimp
Any jew in the world knows shrimp is NOT KOSHER
|
1) You can't elevate the life that you kill..who r U to do that? The guy who wrote that is plain psychotic!
2) Killing for meat when there r alternatives in times of plenty should get all of us thinking on our actions.
3) Is our pleasure more important than life of an animal ?
4) Is it ok to kill 3 animals a day for our meal?
5) Is is ok to eat mammals considering they produce milk & nurture their youngs just like human beings?
6) Would u be able to kill an animal with ur own hands urself if there were no butcher to do it 4 u?
7) Isn't animal sacrifice an animist ritual?
8) To what extent should we eat meat or not?
9) Why is the suffering of an animal condoned in rituals? How important can that be?
10) Shouldn't we rethink our relationship with the animal kingdom without falling into any excesses of the past and present?
|
if we eat meat is it possible that the energy of the animal becomes a part of us.... as we are capable of certain things that animals can not do or perceive, we may in fact be elevating the energy of the animal or fish to a higher level, then intern by doing a good deed with this energy such as helping another human being or saving a life, we may be also helping our own race. So all may indeed benefit on a higher level.
|
I was offended by the end of the comment posted: "The guy who wrote that is plain psychotic!", I feel that this should be removed form the comments, as it appears to be in violation of the posting guidelines of this website.
|
I think it's plain psychotic to snuff out the life of a carrot? who are you to do that?
One of my favorite bumper stickers reads, "Save a Cow, Eat a Vegetarian".
Who decides who and what should be eating whom? Unless you believe in G-d given morals, and G-d apparently doesn't have a problem with keeping man alive at the price of animal life.
Hello vegetarians! The world is here for a purpose, not just to stay status quo!
|
It is clear that the G-d intended for humans to refrain from meat. So vegetarians are fulfilling his will. Even when he allowed meat after the flood, he still made it difficult via kashrut. To-date, there is no specific blessing for meat as opposed to fruit, vegetables and bread.
On a moral level, the current practice of the meat industry is an affront to the concept of kashrut. (Meatpackers have been shut down, as we know). How is it that we state that an animal which is killed by the knife is humanely slaughtered while ignoring the brutal factory-intensive confinement of the living creature? Shall we ignore years of the hardship just to comply with five seconds of ritual slaughter? That is not kashrut. That is not compassionate judaism. Our children can easily elevate themselves without partaking of this cruelty which in no way is commanded.
|
It is very clear that the plan after moshiach is a vegetarian and non violent world. Eating meat is a dispensensation, not a commandment, (as was the 'spies').
It is very unfortunate that people, even tzaddikim, can go out of their way to justify there own behavior. There are talmudic and modern poskim that can be found to support almost any action one could wish to engage in.
The change required to restrict oneself from a needless pleasure in order to prevent needless suffering, and harm, appears to be such a difficult task, that few are willing to contemplate it. People generally also have the tendency to strongly, emotionally and vehemently defend their actions.
Man has the ability to opt out of the normal order of things. As tzelem Elokim, we have the ability to choose not to live as ruled by the animal instinct.
I am not in any way saying that animal life is equal to human life. However, when the choice arises, that is viable, to avoid suffering--it should be made.
|
Wishing everyone a very Happy and kosher Passover -- and that includes enjoying the things G-d gave us permission to eat, especially on the holidays, such as chicken, beef and fish. When Mashiach comes we will have to slaughter and eat the Paschal lamb on the eve of Pesach -- that's one of G-d's commandments... guess vegetarians will have a big problem!..No bocaburgers substitute...Chag Sameach!!!
|
I am sorry, but I beg to differ with these statements on both an intellectual and emotional basis.
Intellectually, there are many halachos for which a sin is punishable by stoning, lashing etc. Further, bigamy is condoned in the Torah. We would not think of these conditions today. Why? In the case of kosher shechting, it represented a vast improvement in humanity over conditions at that time...as did punishment and family structure. As civilizations progress, the standard has changed, and these 'improvements' are not relevant as such today. There are many rabbis that suggest that sacrifices in the 3rd Beis HaMikikdash will not be animal, as in days of old.
In a past time, animals were well cared for by their shephards. Today, the conditions are not the same. Emotionally...I have seen conditions, at least in the US that are abhorrent by any standard. There is no one on Heaven or Earth that can tell me that G-d sees these happenings and smiles.
People dont change. It is sad
|
Obviously, like I said to another one before you, you do NOT believe that the Torah is Divine; therefore the "improvements" you mention are not relevant today. So, in your opinion anything can be changed and dispose of, according to human rationalizations. You view Torah as a history book or as culture, I view it as G-D's wisdom and instruction for His people in particular,and to the world in general.
|
It is interesting to note that all the pro-vegetarians are making the point that eating meat is permitted, not commanded. Based on that alone, juming from there to the argument that meat is forbidden is illogical. Also, I do not think the premise is true. The Rambam counts properly slaughtering an animal as one of the 613 Mitzvos. There is a blessing the slaughterer makes before slaughtering the animal. This does not mean that one is obligated 24/7 to properly slaughter meat or eat it, but when someone does slaughter or eat properly slaughtered meat he is fulfilling a Mitzvah. Therefore someone should have this in mind whenever he eats meat. If someone doesn't then he is merely satisfying his desires. If someone has in mind to eat meat as part of a balanced diet, it is also acceptable but not as good. But if he has in mind to fulfill the Mitzvah that G-d commanded us to do, then eating meat is a wonderful thing which elevates both him and his food.
|
I was ovo-lacto-vegetarian (eating eggs and dairy) for almost 30 years. Last fall, I became sick for 4 months, missing work during that period. Now I eat kosher poultry and kosher fish (still no meat). I realize that any extreme is unhealthy, whether relying mostly on animal products or avoiding them entirely. While I value my health most of all, I still regret that any animal should die for me.
Animals don't have rights. However, the environmental issues are absolutely real and require a reduction in meat consumption to avoid destroying the biosphere. Also, animals should not be mistreated - this is our responsibility as humans.
|
There's nothing like rationalizing the unneeded killing of animals to satisfy your taste for steak. This post makes me sick and I think that many rabbis would disagree with you. Meat eating may have been more natural years ago before the commercialization of the meat industry. Regardless of whether or not the slaughter of animals is kosher it's still inhumane (no matter how sharp the knife is).
|
Some minds are like concrete all mixed up and set...There is no changing them for they never want to listen to reason or even to their own conscience and use G-d as an excuse to rationalize and perpetrate all forms of needless violence against animals who do not stand a chance of even defending themselves in this world full of so called "G-d knowing people".
Cruelty 2 animals cannot be justified by referring to G-d's words when you are the perpetrator! How about owning up 2 your deeds and be responsible for your action in all consciousness instead of hiding behind scriptures? Did scriptures mention global warming or Cars or the internet? These are the stuffs one has to use personal judgment and reason to go about! Why is it so hard 2 do the same with animals? But some people will never have the courage 2 do that for they are stuck in their choice of believing in a particular way! In the meantime mother nature doesn't wait 4 X or Y 2 change their ways 2 have a bite at us in return!
|
Dear Hal/Former Vegetarian,
With all due respect, kosher or not, the stuff that sits on the bones of chicken and fish is meat.
With regards to living a vegetarian lifestyle and it's unhealthiness -- you did it for 30 years and the Hindu people have done it for many millenia. Please do not think I am being insensitive to your prior illness but my guess is that it's relationship to your diet was misdiagnosed.
Question -- Why don't animals have rights? That is such an odd, odd statement. If they don;t have rights then, who cares if they are mistreated at all; they're just animals, right?
2 things are harder to get with a meat fee diet - protein (which can be gotten from beans, tofu, eggs, nuts, yogurt, milk, veggie burger type products) and vitamins B6/12 (can be gotten from kosher B6/12 pills). I am hard pressed to believe any doctor that tells me a vegetarian diet is detrimental to my health (unless I became allergic to any of the above mentioned sources of protein)
|
"According to this approach, it may be cruel to not eat meat, because doing so robs the animal of its chance to serve a higher purpose."
This is one of the silliest statements I have ever read.
|
Not eating meat and elevating animals to a position as high as humans is A CULT, a DANGEROUS CULT, favoured by the Nazis at their earliest onset. And I say this as a woman who loves animals and has never been without many many dogs for my entire life except for one bitter six month interval.
|
To Mrs. Hermine Stover
Their have been and will always be mystics who don't eat meat or fish..learn the teachings of Ibn Ezra
A Jew should not use nor mention n.a.z.i 's
(may their name be blotted out) to discuss matters with other Jews
As a matter of loving dogs...?
Listen to your heart 'kalev?...
I don't belong to any cult, but I'm a vegetarian...
My only cult is love for G-d's creation..
And I think animals like life to...
I think eating meat or not should be a personal choice...
As the ignoramous should not eat meat
I like to consider myself as not capable to 'elevate' the dead meat..
So now I gave you a hypocite halachic excuse...
But the truth is ..I heard 'You shall not kill'..and may'be I'm ignorant as I didn't hear any special mention...that said 'You do shall kill animals'
As everything, as I understand, will be on a higher level in the time of Messiah...it is not so strange as to imagine animals be elevated without killing them
To all Light
|
Humans are not animals. I repeat HUMANS ARE NOT ANIMALS. G-d gave us food to eat. Everything is made for a purpose. Smaller aniumals for larger animals. Then, why did G-d crerate cows? To sit in the fields all day? Just produce milk and no other resource to the meat that has developed. Then, what is the purpose of a shokhet? Chikens are also considered meat. Wansn't is G-d who sent us Mannah while we were in the wilderness, did he not too, sent us meat. So that we may eat of it.
|
Daniel was a veggitarian, and it is recorded in Daniel(the Book) that he was in better health than the kings other servants because of it.
|
By not eating meat, one is deprived of the mitzvah of separating milk meals and meat meals. In fact, if we were not supposed to eat meat according to Halacha, why would we have a rule to keep meat and milk separate? it is a falacy against JUDAISM itself to say that we SHOULD BE or OUGHT TO BE vegetarians.... ALSO our bodies are designed to be omnivorous, our teeth, our digestive systems. Please do not lecture me on the mention of our ENEMIES as being improper in a "certain" context. The elevation of Animals to a status above certain PEOPLE was the rationale for performing "experiments" on our people by filth like Mengele.
|
I've always wondered whether or not they are clasified as fish by the Torah. If they are then they're kosher, but if they are classified as creeping things then they are not.
Fish must have both fins and scales to be kosher. Shrimp have these. But are they fishes?
|
Daniel, in captivity, was careful not to eat defiled food and ate sparsely. And afterwards was in better condition than those who had glutted themselves on the food of non-believers. This is hardly an argument for vegetarianism, it is all about maintaining Jewishness in the presence of non believers, even as a captive.
|
I wish I never had to eat an animal. I don't believe animals need elevating-the multitude of delightful creatures that live here on our organic vegetarian farm (kangaroos, ducks, lizards, birds, koalas) as well as cats and dogs I've met, are far better company and friends than many of the humans I know.
Maybe animals need an ELEVATOR; a crane or a rocket to lift them out of reach of the burger-munching hordes.
I eat meat as rarely as possible, and mostly not at all. I need to consider, however, that G-d has deemed death to be the suitable destiny for us ALL- ants, carrots, sheep and humans. I choose to believe therefore that the life-after-life is good, of G-d.
ALL B'nei Noach (including Israel) have a LAW to be kind to animals.
In closing, I think the mosquito is the best animal joke that G-d made up to play on us arrogant humans. He formed an insect that makes us smack ourselves in the face REALLY HARD, in the dark, and still miss! I think He get a good laugh every time it happens. I sure do!
|
"Daniel, in captivity, was careful not to eat defiled food and ate sparsely. And afterward was in better condition than those who had glutted themselves on the food of non-believers"
I wonder how much truth there is in the belief that a chicken killed according to Kosher rites is "elevated" instead of a chicken killed & roasted in a non-kosher way? Is the chicken killed outside kosher rite worst off than its more fortunate counterpart which was "elevated"?
It is really unfair for the chicken which has been ripped of its life by "non-believers" who fail to "elevate" chicken the only way there is! LOL! This is why this concept of "elevation" through rites is not very plausible & require reconsideration.
A dietary rule is meant to keep us in good health not keep us in an unhealthy relationship with our environment & other people through hardened beliefs pushed to a ludicrous extreme. Once this is gotten over, people will start to realize how it is not a "must" to kill & eat animals.
|
I can never recover from the brilliance by which Judaism infiltrated by CULTS which seek to undercut the very legs of Judaism, using out-of -context quotes from CULTISTS like PETA and H$U$ and others who say that vegetarianism is the only holy and sacred form of existence. If we were supposed to be vegetarians it would have been a LAW, written in STONE and given to one of our Holy Prophets by G-d to all Jews. We would not have to be peering into the details of various of our Ancients for times when they did not eat meat because of special circumstances. FOR SHAME, our ANCIENT and G-d-Given RELIGION to be defiled by CULTISTS like PETA and HSUS, which does NOTHING for the well being of animals NOTHING, it is nothing but a fund raising scam cult.
Ingrid Newkirk, inventor of PETA said that a chicken meal is A HOLOCAUST ON A PLATE. and these are the enemies of our faith with whom you align yourselves!
|
So to refrain from meat is a to join a cult? And just because we are allowed to eat meat, is there no possibility that maybe it's preferrable not to? As far as I know, there is no specific commandment that we MUST eat meat. There are many commanments, however, that command us not to inflict even emotional stress on animals, let alone physical stress.
As for PETA, in spite of the fact that it does things i don't agree with, overall, it has acomp[lished and continues to accomplish some very important anti-cruelty endeavors.
|
I suggest you research PETA yourself so you do not accuse me of saying untrue things about them. and while you are at it, the same for HSUS. PETA IS A MURDERER OF ANIMALS. you read it right, a MURDERER.
|
The debate goes on, with the extremists at both ends shouting at each other. Both extremes are wrong.
Some say it is a sacrilege to refuse anything that God permits us. Please show me a YouTube video of you eating locusts and kit'niyoth during Pesach, both permitted by the Torah. If eating locusts disgusts you, eating red meat disgusts me.
Others have kindly offered their amateur diagnoses of me, despite a lack of medical credentials. My doctor called me malnourished after 30 years of ovo-lacto-vegetarianism, with provable nutritional deficiencies. Soy is not the answer to all of life's problems - even with daily multivitamin-multimineral supplements. I am sorry to say that restoring my health has required fish and poultry.
For those who still believe in animal rights, I want to know who enforces those rights. Does the family of an animal killed by another animal have a right to sue the government for failure to protect it?
|
I agree, at the least, the radicals on both sides are losing sight of the original question. Yes, animals do not have a soul, and are not on the same level as humans. Yes, they were created so that we may (read: may) eat of them. At the same time, some people choose not to do so, and they are not members of a dangerous cult. Restrictive diets have been known by the sages for spiritual elevation. Eating meat may simply not be nutritionally necessary for others (to soy critics -- look at hemp, which by contrast is a complete protein). What was the question that sparked the intrigue? How does Judaism view vegetarianism -- is it favored or discouraged by the Torah. That is still a great question. What, in fact, is the spirit of the Torah, what is the deeper "ideal state", perhaps as would exist after the coming of the Messiah? I offer one humble thing to consider -- of the animals we are permitted to eat, are they themselves vegetarian?
|
I'm a little confused, but would your "ideal state" include bacon wrapped shrimp with melted cheddar cheese? I haven't had anything like that in years.
|
I need not to be here. It horrifies me to see Judaism tainted by a cult. PETA is a cult. Its founder Ingrid Newkirk, wants upon her death to be publicly roasted and her body fed to those who witness this. PETA and HSUS together are responsible for massive numbers of animals being killed, not kindly and not for any useful or good reason. I would rather retreat into believing that Jews are largely immune from taking up these heathen thoughts. and Yes, I do love my dogs as pets, and being carnivores, they too eat meat.
I will not be speaking here any longer.
BE JEWS! and be well.
|
It is a shame that the rabbis didn't write anything (that I am aware of) about the ethical treatment of animals before they are killed. We pay so much attention to how they are killed, but not enough to how they are treated while they are alive. Then when organizations like PETA show the cruel conditions under which they live we cry foul. Perhaps the rabbis never anticipated that man would mistreat the animals that would eventually feed us, but that is not an excuse to continue to do so. Is there no rabbinical group that will speak out against the mistreatment of the living animals, and stop the companies that subject these defenseless creatures to inhumane living conditions. I am so proud of us if I may use that word, that blessings are said over the animals, that they must be killed humanely, but surely they should not suffer in life, and only be honored in death. I would like to see a rabbinical group speak out for the ethical treatment of living animals,
|
If the author or others at Chabad.org see this, please answer the following. I don't see how that after the flood we could elevate anything. I thought that this wasn't possible until after the giving of the Torah at har Sinai.
|
I believe respectfully, that Rabbi Davidson’s thoughtful article overlooks some very important factors:
1. The production and consumption of meat and other animal products arguably violate basic Jewish mandates to preserve human health, treat animals compassionately, protect the environment, conserve natural resources, help feed hungry people, and pursue peace,
2. Livestock agriculture is contributing significantly to global warming and other environmental threats to all of humanity. A landmark 2006 report by the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization estimated that livestock production globally is responsible for more greenhouse gas emissions (in CO2 equivalents) than the world's entire transportation sector.
|
35,000 American scientists signed a petition very recently adamantly, scientifically contradicting global warming. CO2 is not a pollutant. We can put every man, woman, and child on Earth, in their own home, on a decent piece of property, just in the speck on the planet called Texas. We are an insignificant part of this planet who can no more harm it with our emissions than carpenter ants. Our negligible emissions of it cause nothing the planet can't handle. When 50 billion dollars is spent to prove man influenced global warming and only 250 million to disprove it, what "science" do you expect to get?
|
Rachel G;Yes!What breaks my heart more than anything is cruelty to children and animals.I believe there is a special torment awaiting people who do these things,in the World to Come.
It appears that I am not alone in finding the "mitzvah" of eating meat an extremely dubious one.During the Omer,I found myself praying for the "rebuilding of the Beit HaMikdash",but with VERY mixed feelings,because as I understand it,when the Temple is rebuilt,the animal slaughter (Sacrifice) is meant to resume.
The thought of millions of Jews coming up to Yerushalayim,with all their birds and livestock screaming,and of the Temple running in rivers of blood sends shudders right through me.
If Tikkun Olam has as its aim the remaking of Gan Eden,then surely vegetarianism MUST be our goal.Adam and Chava DID NOT eat meat.Why do we need a Rabbinical Group to promote this?Why shouldn't EVERYBODY do something about it,starting with not eating meat?Keeping a kosher kitchen is then SO MUCH EASIER too: BONUS!!
|
Being a NA & having had a farm, I was impressed about the Jewish view of animals. My tribes used nets, not hooks when fishing. Jews do the same & we don't fish for the fun of it and then throw them back. We also never hunted as a sport, but used darts and nets to minimize trauma, as Jews did when they hunted with my people. Even our slaughter is like kosher, as many tribes have followed. i know there is a problem with huge corporate ranches, but we only buy from family owned organic farms, even for eggs and they are kosher. If more non-Jews followed the Noachide Precepts, this issue would not have been dumped on Jews as the scapegoat when it is the nonkosher firms that are getting away with inhumane treatment of their animals & their employees. My own aunt & her fellow truckers have testified to stop companies from using live piglets as baseballs, or abandon newborn calves to freeze on the roadways. Supporting small kosher farms would be a good start for us all
|
Hmmm...that is a stretch.
|
Shrimp have neither fins nor scales. They are a creeping thing of the ocean and are NOT kosher.
Those of us on gluten free diets live much better without bread.
For those arguing the nutritional costs/benefits of omnivore or vegetarian eating (carnivores eat only meat, not healthy for humans) please remember that your personal story is not proof of what everyone should do. We all know there are plenty of vegetarians who are very healthy so we know it is possible. If eating (or not eating,) a specific food is bad for one person that does not make it bad for someone else For example, I would not recommend other people go without wheat, barley, spelt, most oats, and millet just because I have to! These foods harm me, not anyone else in my family, let alone most of my friends!
Grandma said it in Yiddish: "For instance is not proof."
|
I thought legend has it that G-d gave permission to eat meat only because he knew mankind was weak and lusted for meat. When they left Egypt, were they not to eat only manna? Did not G-d punish the Israelites for lusting for meat(Num 11:34)?
Like all lusting, this seems like something we should strive to overcome. Very confused about all the conflicting stories from a biblical and talmudic standpoint!!
|
The Vegans and Vegetarians I know seem to fit into two groups. One group seems to think they are above humans that eat meat and the other seem to think they are above any diety and humans. I tried it being vegetarian for 4 years, just to make keeping kosher in my area easier. I was glad when a store near me started carrying kosher meats.
|
I am 0-type blood-group, and suffer from anaemia when I don't eat meat. I once tried to donate blood after 6 months of vegetarianism, and they wouldn't accept my blood: too low in haemoglobins. I went home and cried for the lamb as I cooked it.
Nowadays, I am mostly vegetarian, with meat once or twice a month. The list of non-meat foods available to us, from A through to Z, is virtually endless, with delightful variety. It does take far more planning and effort to obtain all the right nutrients, however.
I know if I ever visited a slaughtering house, I would never touch meat again. I feel that kindness to animals is our ideal as Jews, but balance is what is feasible for most of us. That's why I limit my meat intake to as little as possible, and take Iron tablets. Sadly, I must admit that I never feel stronger or more energetic than when I eat a lot of meat, with my blood-type. What to do? If everyone even REDUCED their meat intake, the world would be a much better place. Shalom
|
King Solomon, from our Holy Torah, says that we have "no pre-eminence above a beast." I find this interesting:
19 For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them; as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that man hath no pre-eminence above a beast; for all is vanity.
20 All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all return to dust.
21 Who knoweth the spirit of man whether it goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast whether it goeth downward to the earth?
22 Wherefore I perceived that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his works; for that is his portion; for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?
|
G-d was not punishing the Jews for lusting after meat per se. If a group of Jews had taken an animal and made it into kosher meat, fine. He was angered by the ungratefulness they had for the manna, toward G-d. These people had just had the ten plagues work to their benefit, just escaped from the most powerful nation in the world by having the sea split for them, a few other miracles, and the manna appeared each morning. And their response was "We want meat." The chutzpah of the statement is astounding!!
The Jews in the desert could either buy food and water from the people in the lands they traveled through, or if in a place long enough, they could raise crops. Anyone who planted knew that there was a very real chance that the camp would move before anything could be harvested. Doing so would distract the person from Torah study, but it would have been okay.
Rachel G.
Halacha is quite detailed in how to treat animals. All pet owners should check these laws.
|
While it is true that until the giving of the Torah there could be no enduring and complete fusion of the material and spiritual, there was some degree of elevation of the physical and imbuing G-dliness in the mundane before then as well. The ultimate expression of this was the commandment of circumcision, which even before the giving of the Torah already had some capability of making the physical body holy.
|
... I have read and thought about both sides and have come to a conclusion. Based on what the Rabbi wrote and many of the good comments from both sides, I feel confident that the answer is that one should not eat meat hardly at all, except for rare times when there is a real importance and meaning for you to do it and you are conscious and respectful of that meaning. In other words I believe we should be vegetarian, and eat meat only on very rare, important occasions. Unless you live in a small, orthodox community where animals live amongst you and are treated in a humane and natural way (where does this exist today?) and you eat meat less than non-meat, etc. , it is just not going to work. The way our meat animals are treated and killed (even in kosher slaughterhouses) and the ease in which we can get meat and the amount that we eat it without caring all leads to everything the Rabbi said meat eating should NOT be about. For most of us regular Jews, our only choice is 90% vegeterian.
|
again it pains me to see fellow Jews taking up a cult to justify vegetarianism. So nu, do not eat meat. But do not justify it by taking away something from HALACHA. and remember, if you do not like the laws, nobody is forcing you at gunpoint to be a Jew. Rewriting or reinterpreting our sacred laws is a sacrilege
|
Eisev (vegetation) is kosher. Basar (meat) is not. If neither eisev nor parev (non-meat, non-dairy) is available, one is permitted to eat basar to sustain his or her life, but only until eisev or parev becomes available once again. Under this condition when one eats basar to sustain his or her life until eisev or parev once again becomes available, one must do so fully aware that basar is not kosher.
|
The eating of meat directly opposes the commandment: Thou shalt not kill. G-d did not qualify His prohibition by adding the words: human beings.
G-d Himself has spoken on the severity of slaughtering cattle: He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man. No need for interpretation. It is quite clear: To kill a cow is as homicide in G-ds eyes.
The Bible definitely teaches that human beings should be vegetarians, right from the start of the human race. And G-d said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for MEAT. What is more, G-d continues and sets the same diet for all living creatures:
And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creeps upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for MEAT: and it was so.
|
Who decides what's Kosher? Please bring proof to your statement that all Basar (meat) is treif (not kosher).
|
Wow! this is a great discussion and lot's of people seem very passionate about their opinions on this which is great. Obviously this is a topic that many people care about it. Here is what I surmise so far from reading the opinions (which by the way seem significantly weighted for NOT eating meat).
1) Yes, Torah says we can eat meat.
2) No, Torah does not say we MUST eat meat, and certainly not all the time (?)
3) In our day and age people eat probably way TOO MUCH meat and even Kosher killed animals probably suffer way more than was "intended" because of mass produced slaughter.
4) People who do not eat meat because they want to cause less suffering of living beings in this world are I believe doing a Mitzvah.
5) If you want to eat meat, you have a right, but you are probably not helping anyone or anything by eating it and in fact are probably hurting yourself (lots of studies show people who eat lot's of meat are more prone to disease) and certainly hurting animals.
|
I don't agree at all about it being cruel NOT to eat meat, that is absurd. Everyone knows that meat is not healthy and therefore does not serve a higher purpose. Not only is it bad for arteries, etc., humans can't digest it properly. On top of which kosher meat is not organic, which means it's full of growth hormones and antibiotics. I completely disagree with the intrepretation you make here.
|
Josie,
thank You excellent comment. :-)
|
God allowed noah to eat animals, because the great flood destroyed vegetation. God allowed noah to eat everything that creeps on earth, but nothing specific like that mentioned in quran(only vegetarian animals) or bible( only certain kind of animals), though the latter are also thought to be told by God. It clearly says that floods destroyed everything and god wants noah/ man to survive by eating any animal. when floods disappeared and because human beings became habituated to meat, God didn't withdraw his permission to eat animals, but told which animals are good to eat and which are not good for health. Its the same flood, that cause some animals to become carnivores.
|
G-d said on page 1. How can one live in Gan Eden if one does not abide by its rules?
|
Let us bring a little Gan Eden here. We can start by not eating meat.
|
We aren't in Gan Eden. The commandment to vegetarian life is not in effect here.
The Torah states which creatures may be eaten, & gives directives to eat meat in the temple. It is certainly not directing people to eat treif.
As for quoting "Do not kill' - that means humans, an alternative wording could be "No murdering." Killing in war, and as part of carrying out a death sentence is permitted and occasionally required. It also clarifies that HaShem was talking about humans only.
Physical health has nothing to do with kosher. Shrimp and many other sea creatures are perfectly healthy. Your body won't respond differently if you eat a cheeseburger or if you eat a hamburger and then wait six hours to eat the cheese separately. The body can't tell the difference between meat from an animal that went through shichta, and the product of one that did not. But for a Jew the spiritual difference is enormous.
EA
Where are those quotes from? Who did the translating?
|
"You must unlearn what you have learned."
Life is a story of personal responsibility.
"The Matrix cannot tell you who you are."
Yes, we are not in Gan Eden, I agree. In this plane of existence there is only getting closer or drifting farther away. It is up to you, all of us, which way. Remember the lessons of Sodom. And if, as you say, the commandment of vegetarian life is not in effect here but you choose to live by it regardless, how much greater your "reward" will be, both here and in the olam haba!
As for your other comments about the proscription against killing, it appears they are in response to another poster's post.
Remember, there is a difference between knowing the path and walking the path. But one must first know the path.
Choose Life. Choose to lift this world up by bringing an element of Gan Eden here.
|
Correct, my comments about killing should have noted that they were intended to answer Manimal.
I'm not going to agree that acting as one would in Gan Eden raises the world. I beleive Torah tells us the most effective way to raise the world up, via mitzvot, the ones that are in effect, here and now.
I don't have the backstory to understand your quotes. Matrix?? What Matrix?
|
Most of the discussion here is about whether a Jew SHOULD or SHOULD NOT eat meat...black or white.
I think perhaps a better discussion might be, should a Jew try to LIMIT the amount of meat he/she eats out of respect for causing less suffering in the world, which is a Mitzvah.
Jews are allowed to drink wine, but does that mean we should drink it "all the time" and "anytime we feel like it"? No, I don't think any observant Jew would say yes to that.
Maybe we CAN eat meat, but that does not mean we SHOULD eat meat, nor eat it without any regard or limits to the suffering of the animal.
However, many people - Jews Included - think it is fine to eat meat every day without a second thought. Perhaps, this is wrong. Perhaps, we should think about the fact that the "meat" was a living, thinking, feeling being that was a mother or father, etc.
And anyone who says Hashem did not care about the feelings of animals, than why did He say "though shalt not boil a calf in its mothers milk"?
|
It appears we have arrived at the crossroads of our dialogue, our point of departure. I believe a vegetarian life does lift the world to a higher spiritual plane as an act of tikkun olam, whereas you do not. What is left to say at this point? It is times like these I wish I weren't so unconvincing in my feeble attempt at persuasion. Not for my sake, please believe me, but for the sake of all the miserable, wretched, poor, pitiful souls of G-d's "lesser" creatures subjected to the horror of the kill floor. I pray for their mercy in spite of my guilt that, as our debate has proven, I am still powerless to help end their suffering. At this point I may even quote a revolutionary rabbi of a time long ago who offered up a prayer on behalf of humanity: "Forgive them for they know not what they do." Travel well, Sarah.
|
This is about Torah, and what is ideal. So take a look at my other comments, made months ago. You will see that I eat only fish, nothing that needs a fleshig plate! The point is, that this is tricky ground in Jewish Law. Normative practice is to not be a vegetarian. If you are for the purpose of kindness, it is more, and less, than HaShem wants. If it is for other reasons, it is okay.
As for my personal opinion, I'd like to see everyone think about their food, spiritually, environmentally, and healthfully. I'm far less concerned about the specific answer each person ends up with.
|
The article by Mr. Davidson does not address the main issue that many top Rabbis have said. That vegetarianism is the main uplifting goal of man which G-d wishes us to elevate to.
Torah is very clear: G-d says that no should you not eat an unclean animal, you are not allowed to 'touch' its carcass.'
Clearly, Jews should not use fur in ANY way whatsoever. This quote from Torah is not a gray area.
Not touching a carcass means don't touch it.
It is a glaring error to wear fur in any way, shape or form.
|
There is a verse that says not to touch a carcass, I believe in Acharei Mos. However, only someone unfamiliar with (or willfully ignoring) Chazal would think this verse applies to all situations. Even Rashi there comments that it is only in the context of when one wishes to enter the Temple. It is normally perfectly fine to touch fur or carcasses. Wearing fur might be cruel and inhumane, but using that particular verse as proof is false and misleading.
|
In footnote 3, I mentioned the opinion of Rav Kook who believed that vegetarianism was the ideal state of humankind. As you see in the article, this opinion is not universal.
The verse in Leviticus 11:8 refers to the laws of contact with impurity, and is not a prohibition against touching carcasses.
|
I followed my heart about 10 years ago to become a vegetarian. The choice did really come from my heart and soul, and from a deep love for animals and a deep desire to protect them from as much suffering as possible. I have no doubt I made the right choice for me and a choice that is pleasing to my conscience and health.
|
Despite the arguments of this article, there are many reasons why a frum Jew should be vegetarian:
1. Some chassidim (such as Rebbe Nachman of Breslov) have pointed out that you can't elevate the soul of the animal if it was not slaughtered by a shochet with the right intentions, and such slaughtering is very common and harmful to both the animals and the Jewish community.
2. It is a Torah mitzvah to reduce animal suffering, and since we now know that eating meat (or dairy and eggs) are unnecessary and cause suffering, we should avoid it.
3. A vegetarian diet allows one to live longer and healthier, performing more mitzvot.
4. G-d is great and can elevate the souls of animals even if we don't eat them.
5. Meat-eating is not mandatory on Shabbat or festivals (as explained on the website of the Jewish Vegetarians of North America).
6. Don't do to others what is hateful to yourself -- this means avoid all unnecessary suffering. As Ramak said, harm no living thing unless it is necessary.
|
So perhaps the provenance made taking life a practicality. How can it mean that, since the time of Noah and the flood, humankind is elevated by the taking of life and the consumption of anothers' flesh? If nothing has been said of the discoveries in food production since then that seems a more quality purview of health and diet (G-d pity us) perhaps the coming of Moshiach will hint at an addition to Scipture for us all that is meaningful.
|
good article with a disputable end... justifying the killing of an animal with the belief that it serves a higher purpose it's an ego-based statement...
as we understand the consumption of meat was acceptable for "preservation" and by all means we don't live under those circumstances any more,
should Jews or gentiles eat or not meat? if it's not good for the Jew is not good for the gentile either, we share a common ground, a common planet, we suffer and rejoice the same, brought here by the same creator. the lack of compassion and the horrible conditions and treatment that animals are subjected to are unacceptable, it doesn't serve the animals or man anything positive at any level,
|
The fact that you should have certain purposes in mind while eating meat would eliminate most meat-eating among Jews anyway--if we were being honest about things. Just exactly how conscious are most people while they are eating? Even during a Shabbos meal most folks are overwhelmed by the sensuality of taste and smell, etc.
In addition, we now know that kosher slaughtering methods are not necessarily the most humane these days (to say nothing of the lives that the animals live in the years preceding their death). So there are currently serious questions that have arisen regarding our ability to fulfill the intent of the laws of kashrut--in terms of how kosher meat gets to our dinner table in a kosher state.
Given these issues--and others--and certainly Hashem's ability to elevate any cow He so chooses to--our own strict observance of kashrut would automatically reduce most Jews' meat intake by a large amount, it seems to me.
|
Someone wrote: Torah is very clear: G-d says that no should you not eat an unclean animal, you are not allowed to 'touch' its carcass.' sic
Does that mean no leather belts or shoes, or even a leather Etrog Box and aren't a Mezuzah and Torah Scroll written on animal skin?
|
If you're living in a rural area the way I am, it's easier to be Kosher and easier on the wallet to eat veggies only. Besides that there is no local source for Kosher meat. Aside from these things though I have moral and ethical difficulty eating meat. It's not so much that animals are the same as us, but they do have feelings. They feel pain, they mourn, they love, and yes they even think. Additionally, there is a lot of controversy about eating meat and killing animals. I choose not to be part of that and have stopped eating meat altogether.
|
I agree that G-d gives us all types of food so that we may use the energy to fulfill our divine mission. But for many people in American society, meat is not a luxury. They eat it every day and can well afford it. However, I have read that the consumption of meat actually contributes to famine in various parts of the world because it takes a lot of vegetation to produce a little bit of meat. If this vegetation were used for human consumption there would be more food for starving people. Doesn't it make sense to use man's dominion to make better use of the resources that we have been given?
Also I cannot believe that animals were created solely for our benefit. When I eat meat I recognize that some poor animal suffered and died for me. Most likely that animal was tortured during it's lifetime, whether stuffed in a cage with no room to move, or deprived of essential nutrients in it's food so that it's meat would turn out "just right". Such cruelty is wrong.
|
Shalom,
What do you mean by "we may not have to eat anything?"
|
In one Orthodox source I read that kosher (humane) slaughter consisted of severing all sources of blood to the animal’s brain. This does not seem to be the belief of Chabad. What I read here is that cutting the throat (esophagus and gullet) is kosher. Is it humane? A farmer I worked for did just that with a billy goat he didn’t like. The goat gasped for life for a few hours and my boss finally ended its life with bullets to its head.
|
G-d's will was that human-beeing is a vegetarian, a gardener and was taking care of the animals, they keep themselves as subjects, and don't enslaved or kill no one - no other human beeings and no animals.
The eating of meat is what G-d only "permitted and allowed us" - that people "can survive as well."
But G-d also want, that His people stay powerfull, strong and healthy, because they had to work hard.
I think, If people has different dietary choices, they should use that.
|
Here in The Netherlands there is a great upheavel going on about ritual slaughter. But they did not mention how much more cruel regular slaughter is in regular slaughterfactories. Plus our government has voted against ritual slaughter(halal and kosher!) because it is against the rights of animals. They doo not have the vaguest idea what the sjechieta is! Why did they not ban all slaughter of animals in that case if they love them so much. The law Thieme voted for by out government makes us jews look like animal abusers and has a certain antisemitic character in my opinion. I eat kosher and more often than not vegetarian but that is a personal choice I made.I am also a volunteer in our local animal shelter and I do love animals.
|
To amplify my point saying that we should not touch fur or use it in any way, if we wish to follow Torah, than I would like to add this Parsha from Leviticus.
This Parsha specifically talks about what we should or should not eat.
There is no reference to sacrificial animals in the Parsha at all, only in the commandments of what is clean or unclean to eat.
Leviticus 11:8
You must not eat their meat or touch their carcasses; they are unclean for you.
Since fur is part of a non-kosher animal, I think it is very clear that we should stay away from non-kosher animals completely, and let them alone.
Aviva, in regards to The Netherlands, Jewish communities in the United States are very concerned about this in your country also, and we watch it closely.
I think it's wonderful to have so many thoughtful and intelligent people from around the world have this dialog about the article.
|
Dear Mr. Davidson,
Thank you for your response regarding the use of fur.
You mentioned that it is specifically in regards to sacrificial animals, but I disagree, based on the first Pasuk, Leviticus 11:1
Leviticus 11:1
The LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “Say to the Israelites: ‘Of all the animals that live on land, these are the ones you may eat....
It's very clear that Parsha 11 is about the foods we eat, and not about the sacrificial animals used, indicated in previous Parshas.
And if it did, than it seems hypocritical or conflicting at least, that it would be acceptable to kill a non-kosher animal and use it's carcass in one case, and not use it in another.
I believe, (and humbly so), that Torah is clear in 11:1 that it is about the animals we use for food.
Thank you for your writings and opening the dialog up for discussion.
Respectfully yours
|
You make a great point!
Killing an animal by Kosher means elevates their soul?!
I believe we LOWER our souls, when we slit their throats and cut them apart,
How can killing any living thing elevate them? As a vegetarian, I see nothing 'clean' about spilling an animals blood and guts on the ground.
|
Your story about your boss' goat is truly horrific. Kosher slaughter, shechita, involves cutting the trachea and esophagus with a sharp, flawless knife. At the same time, the carotid arteries, which are the primary supplier of blood to the brain, are severed.
While it may seem that the brain is still alive, in truth the stun effected by Shechita - Kosher slaughter has no delay, so the brain stops feeling anything immediately upon the Shechita. The profound loss of blood and the massive drop in blood pressure render the animal insensate almost immediately. Shechita therefore, is humane and efficient.
For more on the topic, see:
<a href="/article.asp?aid=222248" target="_blank">Is Schechita Humane</a>
|
From what I learned when I was very young, shrimp, crabs, crayfish and other small crustaceans or shellfish are considered to be "bottom feeders, so what seems to be unkosher about eating these little creatures is that they may have fed upon the carcasses of the dead, even those many who died during huge Tsunamis. So it is not good for you, or clean enough.
I think the acknowledgement after the biblical Flood days that humankind could eat meat was a temporary measure. Perhaps this could be excusable conduct for those (if ever) stranded in the Arctic or the north, where it is difficult to find vegetation or even to fish during winter months, as would be some largesse re survival toward any Jew in real crisis..but there are places where one should know how to be a practised vegetarian- underground for example- do not eat meat- get up faster.
As we are heading past the end of the record I for one say put your best foot forward and try. eg you can see the aura of any animals soul
|
I became Kosher 20 years ago, and a vegetarian a year ago, and although I don't eat shellfish anymore, as it's traif, (not kosher), there is an interesting point about shellfish.
Shellfish that move, i.e. lobster, crab, etc, are bottom feeders and eat live or dead fish.
Shellfish that are stationery; mussels, clams etc, do NOT. They live on microscopic organisms and algae floating by. They are basically vegetarian.
It's very interesting, but moot of course, as shellfish is not Kosher, and digresses from Mr. Davidson's article.
|
I agree there is a certain mystery to Kosher, Judging by your comments I see you keep Kosher anyway.
That is exactly the point! There needn't be a rational reason. The fact that G-d said so is enough. You obviously know that or you would not otherwise bother. Don't try to make sense of mitzvot they are beyond our understanding and there are lots of levels in their meanings.
|
I understand that many people keep away from meat due to cruelty. You can reduce diseases by staying away from animal protein.
There is a documentary that claims that most, if not all, of the degenerative diseases that afflict us can be controlled, or even reversed, by rejecting animal-based and processed foods.
|
I've been searching for a Jewish take on vegetarianism for some time now and your article is a gem.
Thank you and Blessings from Canada
|
|
LOGIN
ASK THE RABBI
Read this article
