The Jewish scholar Richard H. Schwartz on the hyperlinks between Judaism and vegetarianism in a sequence of academic books
LOS ANGELES, July 2, 2023 – Over the course of a formidable profession, Richard Schwartz, now 89, has revealed the numerous connections between Judaism and Vegetarianism. This esteemed professor, and longtime vegan activist, delved into the Jewish scriptures and outlined the teachings that validate a vegan life-style the place hurt to animals is prevented. Professor Schwartz makes a robust argument that one of the best ways to align one’s life with the values of Judaism is to keep away from all animal merchandise and any exploitation of animals.
Professor Schwartz, Ph.D., is now republishing his common guide, Judaism and World Survival-20y– Anniversary Version, which presents important Jewish teachings on peace, justice, compassion, sharing, love of neighbor, environmental sustainability, and different subjects. This prolific author says it’s more and more pressing to use these teachings to fight local weather change, biodiversity loss and different environmental threats which are unintended effects of business animal farming.
UnchainedTV’s Jane Feliz Mitchell spoke with Professor Schwartz in regards to the connection between Judaism and veganism, an incredible dialog you can watch right here:
An skilled on vegetarianism, veganism and Judaism
Professor Schwartz is the creator of The Vegetarian Revolution: Saving Our World and Reviving Judaism. Judaism and vegetarianism. Judaism and World Survival; Who stole my faith? the revival of Judaism and the appliance of Jewish values to assist heal our inevitable planet; Arithmetic and international survival. He has additionally printed over 250 associated articles on JewishVeg.org/schwartz. He’s the President Emeritus of Jewish Veg, Affiliate Producer of the video “A Sacred Responsibility: Making use of Jewish Values Heal the World”, and Professor Emeritus at School of Staten Island, New York.
That is what he mentioned when requested to summarize the connection between Judaism and vegetarianism:
“There are lots of connections. I attempt to level to those six Jewish mandates—and, by the way in which, different religions have related mandates—{that a} vegetarian weight-reduction plan is the perfect weight-reduction plan. Specifically, to take care of our well being, deal with animals with compassion, defend the surroundings, preserve pure assets, assist the hungry, and search and search peace. As well as, within the Torah, the Jewish scriptures, in chapter one, chapter one, verse 29, you may learn that God’s first weight-reduction plan is totally vegetarian.” .
He additionally says that the Messianic interval is depicted as vegetarianism primarily based on Isaiah’s highly effective prophecy, which says that at that excellent time, a wolf will dwell with a lamb, “nobody shall hurt or destroy a bit of God’s holy mountain.”
“If individuals change to a vegan weight-reduction plan and the meals produced is fed on to individuals, it may finish the world starvation scandal, or sharply cut back starvation.” – Mr Richard Schwartz, Jewish scholar
Philosophies and teachings
A lot of those that embrace the philosophy of veganism hope for a world the place vegetarianism will at some point be the cultural norm. This doesn’t imply that folks will abandon their religions and change them with this philosophy. Alternatively, vegetarianism can exist inside each faith. By means of his writings, Professor Schwartz has made sturdy arguments that Judaism and Vegetarianism complement one another due to their many philosophical commonalities. He explains it this manner:
“In accordance with Judaism, Jews are to be youngsters of merciful ancestors. The Ebook of Proverbs says {that a} righteous particular person contemplates the lifetime of his or her animal… One of many teachings is that earlier than a Jew sits right down to his meal, he should make it possible for no matter pet he has, any cultivated animal, is fed beforehand.”
For him, the fundamental mandates of the Jewish faith clearly level within the path of vegetarianism. he provides, “For me, the underside line is that each Jew has a alternative of their weight-reduction plan. I can not say that each one Jews need to be vegetarians — though if somebody takes significantly the essential mandates I discussed about taking care of our well being and treating animals with compassion, for instance, I can not see how they could not be vegetarians.”
The underside line is that we now have a alternative. We at all times argue, should not this alternative be made with the best Jewish values in thoughts? – Mr Richard Schwartz, Jewish scholar
Being vegan helps maintain it kosher
in hebrew, kosher It means match or first rate. Amongst different issues, the time period kosher Used to explain any meals that conforms to a strict set of dietary guidelines in Judaism, known as kashrut. These guidelines cowl what meals to eat, how one can put together them, and how one can mix them. Professor Schwartz explains how it’s simpler to observe these guidelines if the particular person is a vegetarian:
“It is simple to maintain kosher on a vegetarian weight-reduction plan as a result of lots of issues contain meat. You may’t eat sure animals, and in line with Judaism — it says that 3 times within the Torah — you may’t combine meat and milk. When you have a meat meal, you need to wait. Nicely, completely different individuals have completely different traditions however many say you need to wait not less than 6 hours.”
“The take a look at of righteousness that Proverbs chapter 12:10 refers to is {that a} righteous man considers the lives of his animals.” – Mr Richard Schwartz, Jewish scholar
