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RABBI ARTHUR SEGAL: JEWISH SPIRITUAL RENEWAL ;magen tzedek ;DON'T CAUSE PAIN TO LIVING CREATURES
from the Institute of American and Talmudic Law
Should Kosher Go Beyond Jewish Law?
Agriprocessors, the kosher slaughterhouse and meat-packaging factory in Postville, Iowa, was the center of controversy in May of 2008 when U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raided the plant and shut it down due to charges of illegal immigrant employment and child labor issues.
Two years later, results have been varied. Agriprocessors has been bought by SHF Industries, and has continued meat production, both kosher and non-kosher, under the new name AgriStar. The city of Postville has survived, and has once again begun to grow. However, only forty-one of the nearly 400 illegal immigrants detained in the raid were allowed to stay in the United States. And the head of Agriprocessors, Sholom Rubashkin, was recently sentenced to twenty-seven years in prison.
However, debate over the facts surrounding the Agriprocessors raid has continued in the Jewish community. The main fact in question is, none of the crimes that the plant committed broke any Jewish law. Illegal immigration and underage workers are not mentioned in the Talmud. And nothing done at the plant would have made any of the meat non-kosher. So in the world of Jewish law, Agriprocessors had committed no sin.
However, that didn't stop prominent Jewish leaders to speak out against the plant. A great example is Rabbi Arthur Segal, Rabbi Arthur Segal who requested through his blog that "the Jewish community, even those who do not maintain kosher, to demand…. That (a) processing plant goes beyond the letter of kashrut law, and treats its workers and animals ethically."
The point the Rabbi is making is clear; Kashrut should go beyond kosher and non-kosher. If a food-provider does not run its business ethically, they should not be allowed to deem their products kosher.
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All people, animals deserve ethical treatment
Jews celebrate on June 8's eve, Shavuot, commemorating Moses receiving the Torah atop Mount Sinai.
Sinai was chosen because it belonged to no nation. The Torah's teachings belong to all humankind. The whole of Torah has been distilled to: "What is distasteful to you, do not do to your fellow."
As a rabbi, my ethical beliefs affirm the right of all to pursue the spiritual path of eating according to their traditions, upholding the dignity of human beings and of all life forms.
I am horrified that the huge meat packing plant in Iowa, which has claimed to be supplying "kosher" meat to many Americans, has in fact been violating Jewish and American law and ethics by torturing animals and oppressing workers.
Its ill deeds have been compounded by federal harassment and unprecedented criminal prosecution of hundreds of its workers-- rather than the usual practice of deporting undocumented workers. No action has been taken against the owners. I urge that federal authorities take vigorous action against the owners and ensure workers and animals are treated properly.
I further urge the Jewish community to demand not only a heksher (seal) of kosher on their foods, but a heksher tzedek, a seal of ethics, to ensure that all meat packing plants treat animals and workers humanely. The Torah also teaches: Tza'ar ba'alei chayim, "causing pain to living creatures," is a sin. And, "You shall not abuse a needy and destitute laborer."
Rabbi Arthur Segal
Hilton Head Island
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Shalom Uvracha, Peace and Blessings,
R' Arthur
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Rabbi Arthur Segal www.jewishspiritualrenewal.org
Via Shamash Org on-line class service
Jewish Renewal www.jewishrenewal.info
Jewish Spiritual Renewal
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Hilton Head Island, SC, Bluffton, SC, Savannah, GA
