It should also be considered that plant-based diets are most consistent with Jewish teachings on preserving human health, treating animals with compassion, protecting the environment, conserving natural resources and helping hungry people.
RICHARD H. SCHWARTZ: ‘Recently the Belgian government banned the practice of shechitah (Jewish ritual slaughter). How should Jews react? Jewish Veg, formerly Jewish Vegetarians of North America, of which I am president emeritus, is against all slaughter, but we object when shechitah is signaled out for criticism or is banned. Shechitah was designed to minimize pain, but even if it is carried out perfectly, the many months during which animals are mistreated on factory farms should be considered…
While meat-eaters will understandably have a negative reaction to the ban, if it leads some Jews to shift to a vegetarian or vegan diet, there could be many benefits: There would be a reduction in the number of animals who suffer greatly from cruel treatment on factory farms… There would be a reduction in the widespread heart disease, several types of cancer and other diseases afflicting many Jews and others. There would be a reduction in the emission of greenhouse gases… There would be a reduction in environmental problems… Resources would be used more efficiently…
It should also be considered that plant-based diets are most consistent with Jewish teachings on preserving human health, treating animals with compassion, protecting the environment, conserving natural resources and helping hungry people. Also, such diets are consistent with conditions during the two ideal times pictured in the Jewish tradition: the Garden of Eden (based on Genesis 1:29) and the messianic period, based on Isaiah’s vision of a peaceable kingdom (Isaiah 11:6-9)’. SOURCE…
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