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LIBERAL IN PRACTICE ETHICAL EATING

RABBI JANET BURDEN

Kashrut (,Ur§JF) is the for centuries, there have been many the traditional system of Jewish dietary attempts to offer rational explanations laws. Based in and developed as to why some creatures are permitted by the , these laws, together for food and others not. However, even with our observance of the , the great medieval scholar have been the primary distinguishing was forced to concede that the laws ‘hallmarks’ of resist such analysis. Traditionally, throughout much of our people’s they have been accepted as chukkim, history. Although the full system of laws particular to the Jewish people laws is highly complex, its main that are to be accepted as valid simply provisions involve: because they are commanded by God. Nonetheless, scholars such as 1) Setting out lists of creatures that Ibn (See his commentary to Ex. were permitted or forbidden to be 23:19) and Maimonides (See Guide to eaten for food the Perplexed 3:48) believed that the 2) Mandating the separation of milk underlying purpose of some Kashrut and meat legislation was to foster compassion for 3) Specifying the acceptable methodL all JUDAISM creatures and an awareness of the by which animals could be sanctity of life. slaughtered and meat prepared The separation of milk and meat stems Of these three types of laws, only the from the instruction, “You shall not first can be found by consulting the boil a kid in its mother’s milk,” which Torah straightforwardly. The lists of appears in Exodus 23:19, 34:26 and permitted and forbidden creatures Deuteronomy 14:21. In keeping with appear in both Leviticus 11 and the principle that we should distance Deuteronomy 14. Of the mammals, ourselves from any possibility of only those that have split hooves and transgression, the rabbis expanded chew the cud were deemed fit to eat, the biblical prohibition so that no or kosher. Of the sea creatures, only meat (including fowl) should ever be thoseLIBERA that had both fins and scales prepared with milk products. Later were deemed kosher. No distinguishing rabbinical refinements of this law features are listed for kosher birds, include having separate dishes for meat but a detailed list is given. Over the and milk products as well as waiting

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a set number of hours between eating of disease that would make the animal milk and meat products. While some unfit for consumption. Liberal find the basic principle of the separation of milk and meat In summary, a great deal of the meaningful, others do not. kashrut legislation deals with the consumption of living creatures. As The rules for the proper slaughtering all fruits, vegetables, leafy plants and of animals have been extrapolated grains are permitted (based on Genesis from Deuteronomy 12:21, where it says, 1:29), most Liberal Jews would accept “…you shall slaughter of your cattle vegetarian food as ‘de facto’ kosher. and your flock….” The word used for However, Halachah (traditional Jewish “slaughter” in the verse is actually the law) still requires the supervision of word for sacrifice (v’zavachta). Thus, vegetarian food to ensure how, and in the Sifrei (a collection of midrashim) where, and in what, and by whom, the the rabbis reasoned that animals food is prepared. Additional prohibitions killed for food should be slaughtered existJUDAISM regarding wines produced by non- by the same method as those being Jews, as in the ancient world such wine prepared for the Temple sacrifices. was often used in idolatrous worship. This method is called sh’chitah. One In our current social reality, this cannot who carries out sh’chitah is called a be seen as a genuine concern, and thus shochet. The shochet slaughters an Liberal Jews consider all wines to be animal with a single, smooth stroke of permissible. Nonetheless, for ritual a perfectly sharp blade that has been purposes, most still choose kosher inspected for nicks or irregularities. wines. Thus the oesophagus, trachea, jugular vein and carotid arteries are severed Space prohibits a detailed exposition together, causing instant . A side of all the particulars of the kashrut effect is that a great deal of the blood system, particularly the special laws is also drained from the animal by this that apply during the festival of Pesach procedure. As Jews are forbidden to (). There are numerous books eatLIBERAL blood (See Leviticus 17:11-12 and on the subject that are widely available Deuteronomy 12:23-25), any remaining for those who would wish to study the must be removed by soaking and salting subject further. the meat. This is done after the shochet has examined the animal for any signs

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THE IMPACT OF BIBLICAL CRITICISM wanted to assert the primacy of the ethical dimension of Judaism over its From the mid-18th century onwards, specific ritual practices, expressing scholars from both the Christian and a sentiment that many Liberal Jews Jewish traditions began to examine would still heartily commend today. scripture in a radically new way. By subjecting the Biblical text to literary Increasingly in our own time, however, and linguistic analysis, these scholars there are those who feel that while showed that, however inspired and the ethical dimension must take inspiring its words, the was the precedence, the ritual element also has product of human authors, written great value. Thus, a Progressive over a long period.1 Thus the whole who rejects the divine origin of kashrut idea of the dietary laws being divinely may still wish to observe the Jewish mandated was called into question. dietary laws, wholly or in part, for one If the kashrut system was not or more of the following reasons: commanded by God, why should anyone JUDAISM continue to follow it? • To enhance a sense of holiness in everyday life Early Progressive Jews were keen to • To identify with the Jewish past drop kashrut observance partly as an and with contemporary Jews who assertion of their rational approach to observe kashrut religion and partly to rid themselves of • To have a home where Orthodox an unfortunate barrier to the increased Jews might eat social integration that came with the • To demonstrate an acceptance that granting of civil rights to the Jews. It we should not simply consume was also an expression of their rejection whatever we want, whenever we of monolithic rabbinic authority. The want, and however we want progressive rabbinate and the laity were in full accord on this subject. While a few continued to observe kashrut KASHRUT AND ETHICS as a demonstration of personal piety LIBERAL It is difficult for many Jews to or for reasons of domestic peace, an increasing number rejected these laws understand how various products can outright, as a matter of principle. They be labelled as ‘kosher’ (literally, ‘fit’ for

1 For a more detailed discussion of Biblical Criticism, see our leaflet in this series by that title

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consumption), if they are produced in is discussed at length in the Liberal ways damaging to the environment, Judaism leaflet on ‘Animal Welfare.’ We through the suffering of animals, or must recognise that in a market driven by the exploitation of either land or purely by economics, there is little labour. The problem stems from an consideration given to well-being of apparent reluctance to accept that livestock. The best way in which we can traditional kashrut is a ritual system, ensure that we are not complicit in the not an ethical one. A (a label unnecessary suffering of animals is to certifying kashrut) says only that the purchase from the increasing number product complies with the dietary laws. of small farms who operate free- Such a label is making no statement range and organic systems. In major about a product’s compliance with supermarkets, the best option is to look Jewish ethical principles. The following for animal products with the ‘freedom section sets out some of these, which food’ label, monitored by the RSPCA. we believe that all Jews should consider. Where possible, we have WeJUDAISM would also encourage people included some of the “ethical hechser” to consider reducing the amount of marks to watch for – there are others, meat in their diets. Even thoughtfully so please look out for them. produced meat that takes into consideration animal welfare has a Tza-ar Ba-alei Chayyim (oh°H©j-hkgC rgm) substantial environmental impact. The Prohibition of Cruelty to Animals Although pure vegetarianism may not be for everyone, a few meat-free meals In Parashat Noach, we in the week would be a worthy goal. learn that God’s covenant of protection and concern Bal Tashchit (,h¦j§J©T kC) extended not only to The Prohibition Against Waste human beings, but also to “every living creature.” (Gen. 9:10) From this idea, and other verses in theLIBERAL Torah (Ex. 23:5, Deut. 5:14, and by some interpretations also Deut. 22:6-7, 10), the rabbis deduced the The phrase Bal Tashchit literally halachic principle of Tza-ar Ba-alei means ‘Do not destroy,’ and is rabbinic Chayyim (Baba Metzia, 31a-32b). This shorthand for the principle of limiting

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waste, based on a verse in Deuteronomy overly exploited.’ We would therefore (20:19) that forbids the cutting down of suggest that you look for the Marine fruit trees in a siege. Maimonides, in his Stewardship Council Logo, which (Hilchot M’lachim 6:8, appears below, when buying fish. Better 10) explains how the Biblical prohibition yet, print off a ‘Good Fish Guide’ from was extended to include any wanton the MCS. It won’t tell you if a fish is destruction. The examples he gives kosher or not, but it will tell you if it are clear: smashing utensils, tearing comes from sustainable stocks. clothing, and so on. With the exception of wasting food, however, everything on his list requires a conscious, deliberately destructive act. Very few of us go around committing such wilful acts; nonetheless, most of us are still guilty of transgressing the prohibition Also in keeping with the principle of Bal of Bal Tashchit. We forget about the TashchitJUDAISM, over-packaged food should be huge, and often unnecessary, amounts avoided. About 25% of the household of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and rubbish that goes into our landfills fossil fuels that are used to produce and each day consists of plastic and paper transport food by standard commercial packaging, most of which is totally means. We can reduce the toxins in unnecessary. Where possible, buy our air and soil by purchasing organic from local markets and producers or foods and by becoming aware of ‘food choose loose produce rather than pre- miles’ (i.e. the distance food travels packaged – and bring your own bags to to reach us). It takes up to 2.2 litres of the store rather than using disposable kerosene to air-freight one pound of plastic ones. fruit or vegetables across the world. We cannot afford food that might ‘cost us Tzedek, tzedek tirdof (;«S§r¦T e¤sm e¤sm) the earth.’ , justice you shall pursue Deut. 16:20 Another area of environmental concern is LIBERALthe drastic reduction in global If you sell anything to your neighbour, fish stocks. According to the Marine or buy anything from your neighbour’s Conservation Society, a full ‘80% of hand, you shall not wrong one another. world fish stocks are either fully or Leviticus 25:14

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A FINAL CONSIDERATION

Perhaps the simplest, and yet the most profound, thing we can do to add meaning to the act of eating is to remember the Source from whom Agricultural workers in developing all things come. For millennia, Jews countries receive but a tiny fraction of have done this through the discipline the wealth drawn from their own land of saying blessings over anything that or created by their own labour. we enjoy, particularly over food. You A coffee grower, for example, receives will find a selection of the traditional only seven or eight percent of the blessings on p. 545 of Lev total price you pay at the supermarket Chadash. for a jar of instant coffee. Those who raise sugar cane or grow cocoa don’t Tov L’Hodot Ladonai (v²u«vhk ,Is«vk cIy) fare much better. Market economics It JUDAISMis good to give thanks to the Eternal prioritise efficiency over ethics, but One (Psalm 92). should we? An increasing number of Jews from across the religious spectrum are saying no, and are seeking out food products bearing the Fairtrade label. This mark guarantees a better deal for the producers and their communities who are often struggling to survive. Through buying these goods, we are also attaining the highest of Maimonides’ “Eight Degrees of ,” helping a poor person by strengtheningLIBERAL his hand (Ish² ,t¤ e¯z©jk)

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CONTACT INFORMATION

The Fairtrade Organic Food Federation 3rd Floor, Ibex House 31 Turbine Way 42-47 Minories Eco Tech Business Park London Swaffham EC3N 1DY Norfolk T: 020 7405 5942 PE37 7XD E: [email protected] T: 01760 720444 W: www.fairtrade.org.uk E: [email protected] W: www.orgfoodfed.com Freedom Food Contact through RSPCA Soil Association W: www.rspca.org.uk South Plaza (where you can also find your local RSPCA) Marlborough Street or BristolJUDAISM Freedom Food Ltd BS1 3NX Wilberforce Way T: 0117 314 5000 Southwater E: [email protected] Horsham W: www.soilassociation.org West Sussex RH13 9RS Marine Conservation Society T: 0300 1230014 Unit 3, Wolf Business Park E: [email protected] Alton Road Ross-on-Wye Organic Farmers & Growers Herefordshire The Old Estate Yard HR9 5NB Albrighton T: 01989 566017 Shrewsbury W: www.mcsuk.org Shropshire SY4LIBERAL 3AG T: 0845 3305122 E: [email protected] W: www.organicfarmers.org.uk

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JUDAISM

Others in this series include: Liberal Jewish Values Ageing Liberal Jewish Values Animal Welfare Liberal Jewish Values Biblical Criticism Liberal Jewish Values The Environment Liberal Jewish Values Genetic Research Liberal Jewish Values Miracles Liberal Jewish Values and Liberal Judaism in Practice Death and Mourning Liberal Judaism in Practice Jewish Marriage Liberal Judaism in Practice Lesbian and Gay Jews and Same-Sex Relationships Liberal Judaism in Practice Liberal Judaism and Jewish Identity Liberal Judaism in Practice The Role of Women

LIBERAL Liberal Judaism The Montagu Centre 21 Maple Street London W1T 4BE T: 020 7580 1663 F: 020 7631 9838 One of a series of pamphlets by the E: [email protected] Rabbinic Conference of Liberal Judaism W: www.liberaljudaism.org

© Union of Liberal & Progressive 2013 8