Eco-Kosher for Survival

When we consider the human race is responding to Global Warming as a crisis of epic proportions, and that our very survival may be at stake, I marvel at the repetitive emphasis placed on Vegetarianism/Veganism as a solution. In the context of planet-wide problems: World Hunger, Energy Crisis, economic instability, disease epidemics, wouldn’t personal dietary choices and supermarket selections be quite insignificant. Are they?

Each time I address the hot topic “ECO-KOSHER” it gets easier. Why? Because the issues are growing more prevalent, more relevant, more urgent. Our Yom Kippur liturgy in Unhewn Stones contained an astounding number of references to it, then Rabbi Rebecca’s sermons about ethical food choices and “Carnivore’s Dilemma” inextricably linked it to our Beth Or dialogue. I’m grateful for this linkage because I kvell when my separate interests and value-systems come together, namely: EarthSave Miami, Nalith Foundation (for vegetarian education), Yoga and Taoist Tai Chic practices, natural hygiene and Reconstructionist Judaism.

If Mentschkite deals with relationships- social and intellectual then I’d define Eco-Kashruth as the flip side, covering physical and biological. Living healthfully/wisely for our bodies and our world neatly defines its essence. As you read off these popular slogans and buzz words can you find their Jewish 'resonance'?: *GO GREEN *ACT LOCALLY- THINK GLOBALLY *REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE *CALCULATE COSTS IN GREEN DOLLARS *AHIMSA *YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT *VOTE WITH YOUR CONSUMER DOLLARS?

In the Big Picture we are addicted: governments to shortsighted policy, people to bad habits and substances. One of our biggest challenges is to un-addict. When the FDA or USDA develops a habit of marginalizing the public weal, in favor of third-party corporate high bidders, then we own the problem. When the health-care system fails to teach the root cause of health and disease we’re headed for trouble. Both Talmud and Torah are full of guidelines and stories about management of resources, land, people and animals. Modern science reeks with studies of our needs and practices, but somehow humans are sicker and on shakier (more toxified) ground than before. American kids will not outlive their parents. Cancer rates are exploding along with diabetes, heart disease, iatrogenic illness. Demands on our eco-system outpace its natural capacity, but Eco-Kosher holds the key to correcting these woes.

Eco-Kosher principles are fundamental, operate in Gan Eden, your town and Planet Earth. What’s wrong with regular Kosher, you ask. Answer, it’s incomplete. In the schtetl Kosher meant properly Jewish and the unspecified details were governed by common sense and necessity. Common sense doesn’t hold a candle to Global Corporate/Big Government decisions. If we had insisted that capitalistic democracy better manage our society then perhaps things would be better today. But we need to delve into the meaning and application of KOSHER governance. Torah, scientists and rabbis have informed us what is good, inventoried our resources and offered motivation, but something remains rotten In our state of affairs.

Everywhere you turn the media is surging with movies, lectures, and events forced upon us by Global Warming and political instability. On the one hand are genuine solutions, on the other a morass of disinformation and exploitation. Individually we’re not to blame, but we are collectively responsible- we’ve tolerated a Holocaust of trees, streams, air, animals and most importantly- our own physiologies- our own personal temples. Americans are plagued with a level of sickness and a reliance upon medicines, with a multi-trillion dollar budget that’s not getting the job done.

Rabbi Rami attended to the rising role of Eco-Kashrut, and its peaceful, compassionate, life-affirming values. In “Minyan” he lays out a multifaceted spiritual practice. Now numerous scholars and religious thinkers are converging on this body of knowledge, and just in time, perhaps, to avert disaster. Judaism indicates we have a Sacred Duty to live correctly and preserve our world. The Carob Tree story is one example; another ran in Newsweek on its cover “How To Help Heal the World”- as I said Earth Ethics are popping up everywhere- perhaps because we are in crisis mode and they have been overlooked too long already.

If we have a sacred duty to Tikkun Olam, to be Shomrai Adamah (Guardians of The Earth) then let's find out what we're up against, what our resources are. Here are some things you can do:

  • Pick up the free brochure "A Case For Jewish Vegetarianism";
  • Re-read “Prayer for The Well-being of our Planet” in Unhewn Stones;
  • Visit Elat Chayyim in Falls Village, CT where contemporary and futuristic Jewish values are on the menu (check out their courses at www.jewishretreatcenter.org);
  • Get the book "Judaism and Global Survival";
  • Watch for the local premiere of "A Sacred Duty" video at Beth Or;
  • Go green.

Vegetarily Yours,
Jeff Tucker

(from a bima Speech, BethOr, 09/28/07)