by Zachary Toliver for the PETA Blog
— Our thanks to PETA for permission to republish this post, which originally appeared on the PETA Blog on August 28, 2018.
Judaism has a long, proud tradition of compassion for animals. A vegan lifestyle was first prescribed in the Garden of Eden (in Genesis 1:28-29). In addition, practicing Jews acknowledge the principle of tza’ar ba’alei chayim (“the suffering of living creatures”), which prohibits causing unnecessary suffering to animals.
When it comes to recognizing animals’ natural rights, Israel is leagues ahead of many other countries.
Israel has long banned the sale of personal-care and household products that were tested on animals. It was the first country to ban horse- and donkey-drawn carts and carriages used for work purposes.
The Middle Eastern nation is also known for having some of the largest animal rights marches and rallies on Earth, and it hosts numerous animal-liberating organizations. And an Israeli startup launched the first-ever cruelty-free vegan cryptocurrency, suitably named VeganCoin.
Like humans, all other animals value their lives and want to live. Killing them for human vanity is unjust, no matter how it’s done.
Many feel that eating vegan is the new kashrut (Jewish dietary law) for our age. It’s no wonder, then, that Israel has more vegans per capita than any other nation. Kosher law says that animals shouldn’t suffer unnecessarily during slaughter. But since humans can easily find ways to sustain ourselves without eating other animals, especially in the 21st century, isn’t the slaughter of anyone who wants to live unnecessary and unfair?
Rabbi David Rosen—president of the International Jewish Vegetarian Ecological Society—argues that nothing other than eating vegan is kosher, as modern animal agriculture practices violate Jewish teachings.
“If you can have a healthy diet without being a party to offenses and maltreatment of animals, then we have a religious obligation to do so,” he told The Jerusalem Post.
PETA has seen firsthand how the kosher meat industry has betrayed cows and violated the trust of Jewish consumers.
An eyewitness investigation by PETA and two Israeli organizations—Anonymous for Animal Rights and Let the Animals Live—revealed that during “shackle and hoist” slaughter, struggling cows were painfully restrained, their throats were slit, and they were hoisted into the air by the hind legs while they were still conscious. After the investigation became public, Israel banned the importation of meat produced using this slaughter method.
The Orthodox Union, the largest kosher-certifying agency in the U.S., also told meat suppliers that it will no longer accept flesh from animals killed by the “shackle and hoist” method—in effect, banning it from the U.S.
Israeli religious scholar Asa Keisar also feels that consuming animals’ flesh and secretions isn’t permissible because of the cruelty inflicted on animals during the production of meat, eggs, and dairy “products.”
Keisar told The Jerusalem Post, “The question is not whether the Torah allows us to eat meat, the real question is whether or not we have tza’ar ba’alei hayim. Right now, we definitely have that, this is a fact. We have videos and testimonies. Because of that, you must be vegan.”
Top image: Young people in Israel–© iStock.com/iShootPhotosLLC.
FAQs
Many feel that eating vegan is the new kashrut (Jewish dietary law) for our age. It's no wonder, then, that Israel has more vegans per capita than any other nation. Kosher law says that animals shouldn't suffer unnecessarily during slaughter.
What is the number one vegan city in the world? ›
London and Berlin are the most vegan cities
It currently has 161 fully vegan restaurants and over 350 fully vegan establishments. “London remains a global frontrunner in vegan consciousness and the diversity of plant-based offerings,” commented Emma Cebuliak, Head of Marketing at HappyCow.
Why being vegan saves the planet? ›
The production of plant-based foods requires less land, fewer resources, and produces vastly fewer greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, research shows that the carbon footprint of a vegan diet can be as much as 60% smaller than a meat-based one, and 24% smaller than a vegetarian diet.
Is Tel Aviv the vegan capital? ›
Tel Aviv is a vegan friendly city dubbed “vegan capital of the world”!
Which country is #1 for vegans? ›
United Kingdom. Compared to all the countries in the world, the UK has the most vegans.
What nationality has the most vegans? ›
The United Kingdom was the world's most popular country for veganism in 2020, according to a study based on Google Trends. In the first seven months of that year, the popularity of that lifestyle in the European country reached 100 out of the 100 possible points. In the second place was Australia.
Where do the most vegans live in the United States? ›
What are the best US states for vegans?
- Oregon. According to the IPSOS study, Oregon was the number one state for vegan searches and online interest. ...
- Hawaii. ...
- California. ...
- New York. ...
- Florida. ...
- Rhode Island. ...
- Maryland. ...
- Colorado.
The top twenty cities for vegetarians and vegans based on the analysis are:
- Portland, Oregon.
- Los Angeles, California.
- Orlando, Florida.
- San Diego, California.
- Phoenix, Arizona.
- San Francisco, California.
- Seattle, Washington.
- Miami, Florida.
WalletHub ranked Portland, Los Angeles, and Orlando as the top three, while San Diego; Phoenix; San Francisco; Seattle; Miami; Austin, Texas; and Oakland, California rounded out the top 10. Many people prefer smaller areas, so PETA released a list of the Top 10 Vegan-Friendly Towns and Small Cities, too.
Is being vegan worse for the environment than eating meat? ›
Evidence shows that vegan diets tend to have far lower carbon, water and ecological footprints than those of meat- or fish-eaters. One Italian study found two vegan participants with extremely high eco-impacts, but this turned out to be because they only ate fruit.
If we all gave up meat, around eight million fewer people would die each year, as a result of lower levels of heart disease, strokes and cancer. But most crops have lower levels of micronutrients per calorie than meat – especially vitamins A, B12 and D, and some essential fatty acids.
Does veganism actually save animals? ›
Going vegan is one of the best things you can do to help stop animal cruelty. By refusing to pay for animal products, you reduce the demand for them, which ensures fewer animals are bred to suffer and die on farms and in slaughterhouses.
What percentage of Jews are vegan? ›
Israel's vegan-friendly culture. Falafel, the most common fast food in Israel. Israel has the highest percentage of vegans globally, with around 5.2% of the population considering themselves vegan and 13% percent as vegetarian.
What is the most vegan city in Israel? ›
Tel Aviv is world-renowned for its vegan restaurants and cafes. Some have even labeled the city as the vegan capital of the world.
Which city is known as the vegan capital? ›
In fact, Tel Aviv is known as the vegan capital of the world with 400 vegan and vegan-friendly kitchens catering to Israel's veggie loving citizens.
Why is Israel one of the healthiest countries in the world? ›
Most Israelis embrace the Mediterranean diet. It is at the base of the country's way of eating. The Mediterranean diet encourages moderate amounts of fish and poultry, and a low intake of dairy products (such as cheese and yogurt), red and processed meat, and sweets.
Can you eat vegan in Israel? ›
Furthermore, with an enduring love of foods, such as falafel, hummus, salads and couscous, already a key part of the Israeli diet, the availability of fresh vegetables and fruits makes it incredibly easy to be vegan.
What culture is most vegan? ›
India. Three of India's major religions — Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism — teach the practice of ahimsa, or non-violence towards all beings. Because of this religious tradition, India has the highest percentage of vegetarians out of all the countries in the world.
Does Israel eat a lot of meat? ›
Poultry and meat. Chicken is the most widely eaten meat in Israel, followed by turkey. Chicken is prepared in a multitude of ways, from simple oven-roasted chicken to elaborate casseroles with rich sauces such as date syrup, tomato sauce, etc.
