In my own pursuit of the healthiest, most ethical, and most biblically-grounded lifestyle as a Christian, I have learned that there is a rich vegetarian tradition in Judaism. In fact, it was in a Jewish commentary on Genesis (not in any Christian commentaries), that I found the most helpful explanation of the change in God's directions from a vegan lifestyle (Genesis 1:29) to an allowance for meat-eating (Genesis 9:1 ff.).
Not all observant Jews are vegetarian, of course, but the slaughter of animals for consumption is supposed to be guided by the Jewish kosher laws to ensure humane treatment of animals. In 2004, PETA exposed undercover video from the largest Jewish kosher slaughterhouse in the world (AgriProcessors, Inc.) showing clear, widespread, and repeated violations of kosher standards. These violations were reported in the New York Times and other major papers and media outlets.
Jewish novelist Jonathan Safran Foer narrates a video about these violations that clearly spells out, via statements from leading Jewish authorities, how they violate Jewish law and tradition. But even more important, the ethical-biblical tradition within Judaism for treating all animal life with reverence is spelled out. While the video is difficult to watch in some places, it should be watched. The information is presented plainly but in a context of sensitivity and compassion.
As a Christian, the video made me wonder, Where are the Christian leaders (of equal stature to the Jewish leaders in the video) who share a similarly compassionate view of animals; who would go on record speaking out against abuses in the factory-farm systems; who would advocate a vegetarian lifestyle as one way to honor life and reduce violence in the world? There are a (relatively) few Christian authors who have addressed these issues, but few Christian "leaders" (heads of denominations and other groups) that I'm aware of.
I hope you'll watch the video, found here. There is a long (about 10 mins.) version and a short version. (Look to the right of the video screen to choose the version.) The long version has the interviews with Jewish rabbis/leaders that I found very helpful.)
Not all observant Jews are vegetarian, of course, but the slaughter of animals for consumption is supposed to be guided by the Jewish kosher laws to ensure humane treatment of animals. In 2004, PETA exposed undercover video from the largest Jewish kosher slaughterhouse in the world (AgriProcessors, Inc.) showing clear, widespread, and repeated violations of kosher standards. These violations were reported in the New York Times and other major papers and media outlets.
Jewish novelist Jonathan Safran Foer narrates a video about these violations that clearly spells out, via statements from leading Jewish authorities, how they violate Jewish law and tradition. But even more important, the ethical-biblical tradition within Judaism for treating all animal life with reverence is spelled out. While the video is difficult to watch in some places, it should be watched. The information is presented plainly but in a context of sensitivity and compassion.
As a Christian, the video made me wonder, Where are the Christian leaders (of equal stature to the Jewish leaders in the video) who share a similarly compassionate view of animals; who would go on record speaking out against abuses in the factory-farm systems; who would advocate a vegetarian lifestyle as one way to honor life and reduce violence in the world? There are a (relatively) few Christian authors who have addressed these issues, but few Christian "leaders" (heads of denominations and other groups) that I'm aware of.
I hope you'll watch the video, found here. There is a long (about 10 mins.) version and a short version. (Look to the right of the video screen to choose the version.) The long version has the interviews with Jewish rabbis/leaders that I found very helpful.)
Posts
Great post, William. I was wondering if you'd bumped into the Jewis documentary "A Sacred Duty" (http://www.jewishveg.com/asacredduty/) which addresses a similar call to humane eating withing that community?
ReplyDelete