Conscience and a Veg'n Rabbi 2nd Aug 2009

Subject: Article that explains what occurred when a Rabbi spoke on “Conscience and a Veg.n Rabbi” Vegetarianism and Judaism: A Matter of Conscience by Janine Laura Bronson.

With American waistbands growing increasingly larger and global warming becoming a greater concern there seems to be valid arguments in favor of vegetarianism. There are many reasons people are vegetarians. However, there is one often overlooked reason some choose a vegetarian lifestyle-religion.

Many Jewish teachings regarding health, compassion for animals, and global warming support a vegetarian lifestyle.In a recent talk entitled “Conscience and a Vegetarian Rabbi” for the International Jewish Vegetarian and Ecological Society of Los Angeles, Rabbi Paul Steinberg, author and head of Valley Beth Shalom Etz Chaim Learning Center, spoke on how conscience and religion led him to become a vegetarian.“I did not want to become a vegetarian,” exclaimed Rabbi Steinberg. “The world demanded that I be one.”

Rabbi Steinberg said he believes the vegetarian diet goes hand-in-hand with Jewish principles. He explained that although Judaism gives us intellectual freedom, it also emphasizes behavioral conformity. As Rabbi Steinberg said, “Jewish behavioral conformity is intended to help us to live responsibly as a community, to one another and the world around us.”

This concept is reiterated by Dr. Richard Schwartz, Professor Emeritus at College of Staten Island, author, and President of Jewish Vegetarians of North America. Dr. Schwartz argues that saving a life and preserving health are paramount in the teachings of the Talmud. In his article, “Judaism's Ideal Diet,” Dr. Schwartz states, “if it could help save a life, one generally must (not may) violate the Sabbath, eat non-kosher foods, and even eat on Yom Kippur.”

Dr. Schwartz also points to Isaac Arama, author of “Akedat Yitzhak,” who assessed that after 40 years of health on a vegetarian diet of Manna the Israelites were struck with a great plague once they began eating meat. The inference is that the consumption of meat negatively affects health. This message has transcended hundreds of years from Arama's time to today. Scientists are increasingly studying the benefits of a vegetarian diet. In a 2009 study, the American Dietetic Association found that a well-balanced vegetarian diet can aid in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases.During Rabbi Steinberg's lively discussion many inferences were drawn from a variety of Torah teachings.

In addition to the health benefits of vegetarianism, Rabbi Steinberg also discussed how nature and the status of animals are emphasized in the Hebrew literature. Some sources for further study include the Halacha, the Aggadah, the Biblical commentaries and Jewish philosophy, the Kabbala and Rabbinic Responsa.According to Rabbi Steinberg, Kashrut and the ethical treatment of animals continue to be important issues. He discussed how they relate to traditional Jewish teachings such as chasing the hen away before taking the eggs, not seething a goat in its mother's milk and discouraging hunting and fishing for sport.

Even with the Conservative Movement's Heksher Tzedek, which insures rights to employees, kosher certification must continue to evolve with the unremitting environmental, agricultural, and industrial waste that affects our culture and diet.Rabbi Steinberg also discussed how the concept of preserving the environment and preventing pollution is paramount to the Talmud and its teachings.

He pointed out that our continuously growing carbon footprint is directly related to animal agriculture, necessitating a change to a more environmentally-sustainable diet.According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, livestock farming contributes more to global warming than the total worldwide travel sector. Nevertheless, this is still generally ignored in most discussions about climate change.

This UN report, therefore, highlights important facts regarding the connection between animal-based diets and climate change.Factory farm animal agriculture, including fisheries, generates 33 percent more greenhouse gas emissions than transport (in carbon dioxide equivalents). It is also a major source of land and water degradation. Rajendra Pachauri, Chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has said, “Please eat less meat. Meat is a very carbon intensive commodity."

Rabbi Steinberg's discussion raised many interesting questions around the issues of vegetarianism and religion as it pertains to health, compassion for animals and the environment. How do you feel about dietary issues, now that you have a better understanding of some of the detrimental impacts of meat production on climate change? Is this a scientific or religious issue, or does it relate to both fields? Should we examine our beliefs more closely? What has “Kosher” become, in your viewpoint? How can we define it today, and learn further from this discussion?

Dr. Richard Schwartz who was not in attendance commented on the event hosted by the International Jewish Vegetarian and Ecological Society of Los Angeles saying, "I am happy about the efforts by your group to get rabbis to discuss vegetarianism and related issues and ways to help shift our imperiled planet to a sustainable path."Discussing these issues and opening the floor for debate helps to create consciousness around vegetarianism as it relates to religious beliefs. Let's continue to exercise our intellectual freedom to modify our behavior and examine our conduct by asking more questions and by acting according to our consciences.

Janine Laura Bronson is the President of the International Jewish Vegetarian and Ecological Society of Los Angeles. The group welcomes the entire community to attend its casual monthly meetings, held on the first Sunday of every month. For more information, please contact Janine at (310) 358-9941 or www.rawfood.meetup.com/317 .

Comments are also welcome. Please email Janine@a11massage.com and your message will be considered for our next publication.Richard H. Schwartz, Ph.D.Professor Emeritus, College of Staten IslandAuthor of "Judaism and Vegetarianism," "Judaism and Global Survival," and "Mathematics and Global Survival," and over 130 articles at www.JewishVeg.com/schwartzPresident of Jewish Vegetarians of North America (JVNA) www.JewishVeg.comand Society of Ethical and Religious Vegetarians (SERV)Associate Producer of A SACRED DUTY (asacredduty.com)Director of Veg Climate Alliance (www.vegclimatealliance.org)president@JewishVeg.com