The Jewish Eye
Judaism and Vegetarianism
Recommended Reading Lists
If you are Jewish and interested in becoming a vegetarian, or if you already are a vegetarian and interested in learning more about the Jewish halachic (legal) aspects of vegetarianism, animal rights, the spiritual aspects of vegetarianism, or simply interested in learning more about the vegetarian lifestyle, from a Jewish perspective, your first stop on the internet should be: The Schwartz Collection on Judaism, Vegetarianism, and Animal Rights. This is part of the Jewish Vegetarians of North America's and it features a wealth of information by Richard Schwartz, Ph.D., one of the leading advoctes of the Jewish vegetarian movement. Here you'll find tons of information, including a ten-week, online course on Judaism and Vegetarianism.
Also check out:
Jewish Vegetarians of North America
The Jewish Vegetarian and Ecological Society (JVS)
VeggieJews (an internet support group for Jewish vegetarians and vegans)
Books on Judaism and Vegetarianism
- A Boy, a Chicken, and the Lion of Judah: How Ari Became a Vegetarian, by Roberta Kalechofsky.
Although his parents are understanding and involved in conserving the plants and animals near their home in the Negev desert, nine-year-old Ari does not know how to tell them that he does not want to eat meat anymore.
- Judaism and Vegetarianism, by Richard H. Schwartz.
An updated and completely revised edition of Schwartz's classic work on vegetarianism, from a Jewish perspective, in which he presents a thorough analysis of the Jewish case for vegetarianism.
- The Lowfat Jewish Vegetarian Cookbook: Healthy Traditions from Around the World, by Debra Wasserman.
Over 150 lowfat Jewish vegetarian recipes with an international flavor.
- Olive Trees and Honey, by Gil Marks.
A Treasury of Vegetarian Recipes from Jewish Communities Around the World
- Rabbis and Vegetarianism: An Evolving Tradition, edited by Roberta Kalechofsky.
An anthology of 17 essays by rabbis from the major denominations on vegetarianism . Testifies to a revolution taking place in the traditional Jewish diet. Includes brief biographies.
- Vegetarian Judaism: A Guide for Everyone, by Roberta Kalechofsky.
Examines the historical Jewish dietary laws, and argues that vegetarianism today best fulfills the requirements of kashrut.
- Vegetarianism and the Jewish Tradition, by Louis A. Berman.
This book advocates vegetarianism based on strong Jewish mandates related to health, compassion for animals, and sharing with hungry people.
- The Vision of Eden: Animal Welfare and Vegetarianism in Jewish Law and Mysticism, by David Sears.
A comprehensive discussion of laws in Judaism, with references to the Jewish, rabbinic, Talmudic and Biblical sources, concerning the moral problems involved in eating meat.
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