Judaism places much stress on performing mitzvot, carrying out God’s commandments. However, a “mitzvah haba’ah b’aveirah” – a mitzvah based on an aveirah (sin or “illegitimate means”) – is forbidden and is not considered a mitzvah. For example, if one uses a stolen lulav and esrog on Sukkot, it is
Spirituality has led to a growing awareness of the unity of all beings, of our fundamental interconnectedness. For some this reflection has stayed on the level of purely personal enlightenment without much manifestation in behavior, but for others this understanding has led to a greater sense of responsibility, first toward
Introduction: Many Jews think that vegetarianism and animal rights issues are not part of basic Judaism. To counter this belief the following quotations of important rabbis are presented. Hirsch, Rabbi Samson Raphael While not a vegetarian, Rabbi Hirsch, one of the most important Orthodox rabbis of the 19th century, expressed
The dietary laws are intended to teach us compassion and lead us gently to vegetarianism. (Rabbi Shlomo Riskin)1 JUDAISM MANDATES COMPASSION, NOT JUST FOR JEWS, but for the stranger, and even for enemies; not just for people, but for all of God’s creatures. Compassion is one of the characteristics associated
This is chapter 9 from the 2001 3rd edition of my book, “Judaism and Vegetarianism. Much has happened since it was published so use additional sources to get more recent suggestions. —————— And you shall eat and be satisfied and bless the Lord your God for the good land He
This is chapter 7 of the 3rd edition of my book, “Judaism and Vegetarianism.” The complete text can be found at www.JewishVeg.org/schwartz. —————– I keep six honest serving men, They taught me all I knew; Their names are what, and why, and when, And where, and how, and who. (Rudyard
This posting is from the 2001 3rd edition of my book, “Judaism and Vegetarianism.” The complete text of the book can be freely read online, along with my over 250 related articles at www.JewishVeg.org/schwartz . ——————- THERE ARE MANY FUNDAMENTAL TORAH PRINCIPLES that express and make concrete the biblical concept:
These blurbs for my my 3rd edition of “judaism and Vegetarianism.” The complete book and over 250 related articles can be freely read at www.JewishVeg.org/schwartz. I plan to add individual chapters from the book as blogs in the coming days, in the hope that it will be useful to readers.
This summary of the case for Jews to be vegetarians (and even more so vegans) is chapter 12 from the 2002 2nd edition of my book, “Judaism and Global Survival.” And God said: “Behold, I have given you every herb yielding seed which is upon the face of all the
While vegetarians and vegans have truth, morality, justice, and other positive values on our side, that our case is rooted in basic Jewish teachings because animal-based diets and agriculture sharply violate at least six basic Jewish values, the Jewish community continues to generally ignore the issues and refuses to engage in
This posting is chapter 9 of the 2nd edition of my book, “Judaism and Global Survival.” While written in 2011, 16 years ago, it is perhaps even more relevant today as it makes a strong case that the Jewish approach to energy is CARE, conservation and renewable energy, an approach that can help
This posting is chapter 8 from the 2nd edition of my 2002 book, “Judaism and Global Survival.” —————– “I saw all the oppressions that are practiced under the sun. Behold, the tears of the oppressed, they had no one to comfort them! On the side of the oppressors there was power.”
There are many lessons from Parshat Noach (Noah) that can be applied in response to today’s climate crisis. Noach built an ark for 120 years but people did not believe that a catastrophic flood was coming. After all, why would anyone believe a crazy idea from a seemingly obsessed, delusional
This post is chapter 4 of the 1982 second edition of my book,”Judaism and Global Survival.” The complete text can be read freely at www.JewishVeg.org/schwartz, where I also have over 250 articles. Comments and suggestions always welcome. . ============ “In the hour when the Holy one, blessed be He, created the first
This material is chapter one from my book, “Judaism and Global Survival” “Whoever is able to protest against the transgressions of his own family and does not do so is punished [liable, held responsible] for the transgressions of his family. Whoever is able to protest against the transgressions of the
Judaism places much stress on performing mitzvot, carrying out God’s commandments. However, a “mitzvah haba’ah b’aveirah” – a mitzvah based on an aveirah (sin or “illegitimate means”) – is forbidden and is not considered a mitzvah. For example, if one uses a stolen lulav and esrog on Sukkot, it is
For a long time, I have been trying to start a respectful dialogue in the Jewish community. Because I have had very little success, I am presenting the fictional dialogue below. I hope that many readers will use it as the basis of similar dialogues with local rabbis, educators,
1) The Torah teaches that humans are granted dominion over animals (Genesis 1:26), giving us a warrant to treat animals in any way we wish. Response: Jewish tradition interprets “dominion” as guardianship, or stewardship: we are called upon to be co-workers with God in improving the world. Dominion does not
What a wonderful path Judaism is! Judaism worships a God who is the Father of all humanity, Whose attributes of kindness, mercy, compassion, and justice are to serve as examples for all our actions. Judaism teaches that every person is created in God’s image and therefore is of supreme value.
Richard H.Schwartz, PhD’s debate with Rabbi Yoel Schonfeld, which appeared years ago in the Jerusalem Report ========== Introduction: In addition to its benefits for health, animals, and the environment, vegetarianism may be called for by some of Judaism’s most cherished tenets. Is it time to reconsider our dietary traditions? Rabbi Yoel
