JUDAISM
AND VEGETARIANISM
by Richard H. Schwartz, Ph.D.
Lantern Books, New York
Reviewed
by Faye Reichwald
Richard H. Schwartz, a professor of mathematics,
has been an advocate of vegetarianism for many years
and has written extensively on the subject. He believes
more strongly than ever that a vegetarian diet is
not only a planetary imperative in today's world,
but that the consumption of meat is halachically unjustifiable
[actually he does not believe he has the status to
say this, but he quotes Rabbi David Rosen, former
Chief Rabbi of Ireland, who does assert this because
of health considerations and also because of the mistreatment
of animals on factory farms].
In this revised edition of "Judaism and Vegetarianism,"
Schwartz traces the sources of G-d's plan for the
diet of the Jewish people. He cites biblical and rabbinical
sources to show that the eating of flesh was not meant
to be a permanent concession to human weakness. Schwartz
points out that the conditions under which animals
are raised today are completely contrary to the Jewish
ideals of compassion and that Jews who eat meat raised
under today's barbaric conditions support a system
which is contrary to basic Jewish principles and obligations.
Dr. Schwartz provides substantial evidence of how
raising animals destined for slaughter is not only
inhumane, but that it is causing the depletion of
the earth's resources, leading to eventual widespread
starvation.
In his new book, Dr. Schwartz both asks and answers
numerous questions which are normally asked of people
about vegetarianism and its connection to Judaism.
His answers are enlightening and irrefutable. This
is an important work, one that should be widely acclaimed.
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