REVIEW;
JUDAISM AND VEGETARIANISM by Richard Schwartz
This is a very interesting book in that it gives
a new insight into the food laws of Judaism, and also,
for many of us, a new way of looking at Jewish thinking
about food, poverty, the welfare of animals, and the
fullest ways of keeping the laws of God. The author's
concern for his own religion and the welfare of God's
creation in relation to that religion, makes for an
inspiring read, and the author's challenges to his
fellow Jews provides a challenge to all of us who
care about God and God's creation. The author challenges
the current treatment of animals in the livestock
trade, the consumption of animals in relation to world
poverty, the non-simple lifestyles adopted by many
in our contemporary world. He also suggests ways in
which vegetarianism could assist in promoting active
working towards peace. Inevitably in a book with this
title there are sections which are interesting from
the "outside", to those of us who are Anglicans,
but we might imagine that this is a book which could
arouse a quite passionate response to Jews. It is
a thoughtful and informative book which teaches and
challenges and perhaps inspires its readers to try
to do more to promote the welfare of animals, the
world and human beings, as a Jew, or as a Christian.
Canon Betty McNiven
10 Little Flatt, Rochdale, 0L12 7AU
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