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eBook Category: Spiritual/Religion
eBook Description: "Behold, I have given you every herb yielding seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed--to you it shall be for food."--(Gen. 1:29) The Hebrew Bible offers countless examples of how God intends a compassionate and caring attitude toward animals, our health, and the health of the planet. This attitude, as Richard Schwartz shows in his pioneering work now fully revised, has been a constant theme throughout Judaism to the present day.

eBook Publisher: Lantern Books, Published: 2001
Fictionwise Release Date: August 2003

Available eBook Formats:
All formats: Printing DISABLED, Read-aloud DISABLED
Microsoft Reader ISBN: 1930051751

"Indeed, Judaism's particular concern for tikkun olam, a healing of the world, has never been more urgent than today--given the current state of world hunger, environmental degradation, and the horror of factory farms. Dr. Schwartz shows not only how Judaism is particularly well suited to solving these problems but how doing so can revitalize one's Jewish faith. "A convincing, compassionate, and comprehensive argument [that] marshals overpowering evidence."--Harry Essrig, The American Rabbi

"Professor Schwartz has presented us with impressive material supporting his thesis that a practical, healthy, and Torah way of eating is through vegetarianism."--Emunah Women

"The health benefits of a vegetarian diet are now well-documented, as are the increased risks of cancer and heart disease that come with eating meat. But these are personal benefits, and personal risks; most people are content to view such a "lifestyle" decision, like the decision to smoke, as a matter of individual choice. Would it were that easy! Today, with the advent of "factory farming," other considerations must come into play. Mathematician Schwartz, while never resorting to emotional appeal, wants us to realize that modern meat production is a completely automated, entirely impersonal, mechanized industry, with billions of animals spending their entire lives--24 hours a day, seven days a week--in tiny pens or cages, never seeing the sun, never being allowed the freedom to walk even a few steps. How many of us can remain complacent in the face of such institutionalized cruelty? Is it enough, he asks, that an animal is killed painlessly, if its whole life is spent under such conditions? Is this what God intended when He gave man "dominion" over the animal kingdom? No, it is not, answers Schwartz, who cites many biblical and rabbinic sources to prove that the biblical permission to eat meat was only a temporary concession to human weakness; humanity before the Flood was vegetarian, and will be so again in the messianic era. Indeed, Schwartz argues powerfully that the pursuit of universal peace and justice, and the end of world hunger--all hallmarks of the messianic age--requires Jews in particular, in their role as "a light unto the nations," to be in the vanguard of the vegetarian movement. Did you know, for example, that 70 percent of the grain grown in the United States is used to feed animals destined for slaughter? Or that 80 percent of the water used in the US goes toward animal agriculture? Or that land growing potatoes, rice, and other vegetables can support 20 times as many people as land producing grain-fed beef? Or that many leading scientists now rank the environmental damage caused by the meat industry as second only to that caused by the use of fossil fuels? In this fact-filled volume, Schwartz goes to great lengths in proving that vegetarianism in no way conflicts with Orthodox Judaism, and points out that many leading religious Jews both past and present--Rabbi Shear Yashuv Cohen, Ashkenazic Chief Rabbi of Haifa among them--have concluded that a plant-based diet is something which all "noble souls" should embrace. "Judaism and Vegetarianism" devotes entire chapters to answering commonly asked questions, supplies ammunition which vegetarians can use in answering the skeptics, and provides extensive lists of Jewish vegetarian groups and books for further reading. Every argument is supported by facts, and every fact is documented. Schwartz has made a case that is difficult to refute, in a book you will find difficult to ignore."--Jerusalem Post

"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?" This question, quoted here from the preface to the first edition of Richard Schwartz's seminal work Judaism and Vegetarianism, has often plagued Jews considering a switch to a vegetarian lifestyle, as well as vegetarians considering Judaism. 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.

--Vegsource.com