Transcript introduction to judaism - Progressive Judaism Victoria

INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM
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Making Jewish Choices for Living
Unit 7, session 2
Using Kashrut as an example
Rabbi Jonathan Keren-Black
Leo Baeck Centre, East Kew
Revised for Intro Course 2010/5771
A reminder... Educated Choice
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Progressive Judaism tends to see Judaism as
traditions, customs and guidelines rather than law.
Therefore we are not really a 'halahic' movement.
We uniquely encourage and emphasise
EDUCATED CHOICE (note ‘For those who
choose’ in the prayer book, eg page 10, bottom).
Learn and understand what the traditions are and
what they are about – and then decide for
yourselves if they help bring God into your life.
An Example - Kashrut
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'Kosher' actually means 'suitable for purpose' (eg
a Torah scroll or a Mezuzah should be ‘kosher’).
Most usually today it is used to refer to food.
Is it important? How does what and how we eat
affect who we are? Does it link us to other Jews?
Kashrut may be about health, respect and care of
animals, keeping separate from others, keeping
Temple traditions, hospitality, sustainability; in
reality it probably has elements of all of these.
Various aspects to Kashrut
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1) Prohibited and permitted foods
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2) Proper preparation of permitted foods
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3) Problematic combinations of permitted foods
Prohibited and Permitted foods
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Seem to be the oldest layer - found in the bible.
1) It seems the original intention was to be
vegetarian (Genesis 1: 29-30)
2) There is a prohibition of eating blood, which is
identified as the life force of a being. The blood
should be poured onto the ground (Deut 12:24).
3) There are lists of prohibited animals, with rules
about cloven hoofs and chewing the cud (Lev 11)
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4) There are prohibitions about carrion etc
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5) There are prohibitions about tithed foods
Proper Preparation
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These seem to be somewhat later, though some
probably have roots in the sacrificial systems
described for the Tabernacle in the Torah.
They are about killing the animals in a proper
way (probably meant to be the quickest and least
painful). This is called 'Sh'hita’ (Hebrew letters
Sh H T = slaughter).
Vegetables must be carefully washed to avoid any
bugs etc. (much more recent/contemporary).
Problematic Combinations
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Torah says three times 'You should not seethe a
kid in its mothers milk'.
Much later, in 'Mark 2' or 'Rabbinic' Judaism, the
Rabbis decided that this had far wider meanings:
They decided it meant any meat and any milk
They decided it meant any kind of 1) cooking, 2)
eating, and even 3) benefitting - during the entire
meal, and for some hours after (1 hr, 3hrs or 6 hrs)
(They also included chicken etc as a safeguard)
Pots and Pans
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Some Jews go to great lengths to keep milk and
meat separate, having separate dishes, cutlery, tea
towels, dishwashers – even kitchens!
Some also have another milk and a meat set for
Pesach (Passover).
If you wish to entertain strictly orthodox Jews,
you will need to either do this or provide
disposable plates and cutlery.
Many Progressive Jews believe that normal
washing of cutlery and crockery is sufficient.
Progressive Rationale
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Kashrut is one of the distinctive things about
being Jewish.
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Strict kashrut allows you to invite anyone over.
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Strict vegetarianism is a good alternative.
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Shopping, cooking and eating are things we do
regularly, so it is good to give them some sanctity
One does not have to do 'all or nothing'. It is
perfectly rational to choose to keep some parts,
which may seem more meaningful or original.
What you do now may differ from 10 years time.
Eco-Kashrut
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Today we live in a time of mass production and
factory farming unimagined by our ancestors.
We would certainly wish to extend our concerns
into those areas.
Many Jews today find factory farming
unacceptable and try to buy only free-range eggs
and chickens, and avoid veal, for example.
Some might prefer only local-produced products,
in season, to support local farmers and to reduce
emissions from transportation.
‘B’tei A-von’ – Enjoy your meal.