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In this book, Professor Schwartz demonstrates that, not only is
vegetarianism wholly consistent with Judaism, it may even be considered
an imperative in this day of factory farming, environmental depletion,
degenerating human health and worldwide hunger. Beginning, as is
fitting, with the Scriptures (particularly the Torah), Schwartz
takes his readers on a tour of the Bible from a vegetarian point
of view. He then goes on to address specific issues, such as "Tsa'ar
Ba'alei Chayim - Judaism and Compassion for Animals"; "Judaism,
Vegetarianism, and Health"; "Judaism, Vegetarianism, and
Feeding the Hungry"; "Judaism, Vegetarianism, and Ecology";
and "Judaism, Vegetarianism and Peace"; supporting each
not only with quotes from the Scriptures, but also with insight
from Jewish sages and scholars from virtually every age and tradition,
as well as with substantial and timely factual material gleaned
from leading authorities on animal welfare, human health, the environment
and the world hunger situation. He then proceeds to address even
more specific questions regarding Judaism and vegetarianism (such
as "Don't Jews have to eat meat to honor the Sabbath and to
rejoice on Jewish holidays?" and "If God wanted us to
have vegetarian diets and not harm animals, why were the Temple
sacrificial services established?") and vegetarianism in general
(such as "Can't one work to improve conditions for animals
without being a vegetarian?" and "If vegetarian diets
are best for health, why don't most doctors recommend them?").
Finally he offers solid advice on how to make the switch to vegetarianism,
including information on holiday observances and information on
Jewish vegetarian groups, activities and resources, as well as an
interesting and informative biographical section on famous Jewish
vegetarians. He closes with this question, respectfully addressed
to Jews who plan to continue to eat meat: "In view of strong
Jewish mandates to be compassionate to animals, preserve our health,
help feed the hungry, preserve and protect the environment, conserve
resources, and seek and pursue peace, and the very negative effects
animal-centered diets have in each of these areas, will you now
become a vegetarian, or at least sharply reduce your consumption
of animal products?" It's hard to imagine, in the face of Professor
Schwartz's well-reasoned and well-documented book, that anyone could
reasonably answer "no."
I highly recommend Judaism and Vegetarianism to any Jew who is
considering vegetarianism (or who has already made the switch and
is seeking support and advice), as well as to those who are not
vegetarians themselves, but who may be concerned about vegetarian
friends and loved ones. It should be required reading for any rabbi
who may encounter questions about vegetarianism or find himself
ministering to vegetarians. Further, I would strongly recommend
this book to vegetarian Christians and Muslims, who also accept
the Hebrew Scriptures as authoritative…you will find information
here that will both challenge and support you, and perhaps a common
ground upon which the work of peace can be built.
Richard H. Schwartz, Ph.D., is Professor Emeritus of Mathematics
at the College of Staten Island, New York, and the author of Mathematics
and Global Survival and Judaism and Global Survival. He is the acknowledged
expert in the field of Judaism and vegetarianism and, in 1988, was
chosen "Jewish Vegetarian of the Year" by the Jewish Vegetarians
of North America. Visit his website at www.jewishveg.com for articles
of interest, as well as recipes and a free on-line course on Jewish
vegetarianism.
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"Judaism
and vegetarianism? Can the two be related? After all, what is a
simcha (Jewish celebration) or holiday dinner without gefilte fish,
chopped liver, cholent, roast beef, chicken and chicken soup? And
what about passages in the Torah referring to Temple sacrifices
of animals and the consumption of meat?"
