Unveiling the Spirit of Kashrut: Holiness, Mindfulness, and Ethical Eating

Photo by 卡晨 on Unsplash

This week's Torah portion, Shemini introduces us to the complexities of kashrut, the Jewish dietary laws. Foods that we are permitted to eat under kashrut are considered kosher. While some animals are permitted for consumption, others are deemed off-limits. The Torah doesn't provide explicit reasons, leaving room for centuries of interpretation.  Contrary to common assumptions, the core of these laws is not about physical health but in the pursuit of spiritual holiness. We are commanded: “For I the ETERNAL am your God: you shall sanctify yourselves and be holy, for I am holy.”

This call to holiness invites us to re-examine our relationship with food. While modern Jews might question the continued relevance of kashrut, the answer is embedded within these ancient laws. By adhering to them, we weave an element of sacredness into our everyday meals - a constant reminder of our covenant with the Divine and our higher purpose.

Interestingly, the dietary restrictions of kashrut might unintentionally point towards a path of ethical eating in the modern world. Historically, these laws would have naturally led to a decreased consumption of meat. However, today's industrialized agriculture can often diverge from this inherent spirit.  Factory farming practices frequently involve animal cruelty and significant environmental harm. This stands in stark opposition to the original spirit of these dietary laws, which could be interpreted as a call for mindful, restrained consumption and respect for living creatures.  Perhaps more significantly, kashrut could serve as a moral compass, prompting us to reexamine our food systems and seek ethical alternatives to factory-farmed products.

If the original aim of kashrut was a form of mindful restraint, perhaps it calls on us to reconsider our role in these modern practices. This reflection invites us to return to the roots of these laws. Genesis 1:29-30 depicts an original vision where both humans and animals thrive on plant-based diets.  The subsequent allowance of meat consumption in the Noah story can be seen as a concession, rather than a change in the ideal design. Interestingly, all animals identified as kosher, including birds, are not predators. Specifically, kosher land animals are herbivores, and kosher birds exclude birds of prey. Could this indicate a preference for consuming beings that do not prey on others?

Ultimately, kashrut embodies a call to holiness and conscious eating. Whether viewed through a traditional or modern lens, it invites us to question our dietary habits. It challenges us to seek a balance between honoring our heritage and recognizing the ethical implications of our food choices in a rapidly changing world.

Points for Deeper Consideration:

• How does the pursuit of holiness through kashrut align with or challenge modern ethical concerns about animal welfare?

• Are there ways to honor the spirit of kashrut – the emphasis on mindfulness and potential for limiting meat consumption – within our contemporary food systems?

• Can kashrut inspire a broader reexamination of our relationship with nature and its resources?

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  A TikTok reflection on this week’s Torah portion. You can also find it here

Check out this new song, Daybreak (Shakhar) by my friends and colleagues Rabbis Annie Lewis and Yosef Goldman and Beit Toratah