Kashruth refers to the comprehensive set of Jewish dietary laws that not only dictate what is permissible to eat but also prescribe how food should be prepared and consumed—emphasizing cleanliness, ethical treatment, and mindfulness in every act of eating. In a vegan restaurant that adheres to kosher standards, this practice becomes a powerful statement of support for any philosophy that fosters compassion toward all living creatures.
For those in Jewish society who observe Kashruth, veganism challenges us to look even deeper than adopting humane methods of animal slaughter. It calls us to breathe deeper into our compassion, surrendering any narrative that justifies killing when the land offers far greater, life-affirming choices. Animals are not here to serve us, just as we are not here solely to serve one another in a utilitarian way. Instead, our collective purpose is to serve, share, and learn from each other.
Historically, life on this planet depended on the consumption of other life forms—a necessity for survival on a fragile planet in a vast cosmos. Yet the paradox of evolution is that for life to truly thrive, it must evolve beyond the destructive cycle of devouring other creatures. Evolution now races toward a vision of total compassion and non-harm, striving to free us from the constant anxiety that arises when we harm other beings—a cycle that not only causes external suffering but also reverberates back to deepen our own inner turmoil.
I share these reflections not as a proponent of any particular movement but as someone who follows logic wherever it leads. My focus is on understanding what it means to embody compassion rather than hatred. In my youth, I experienced deep-seated hatred and struggled to regulate my anxieties. Over time, through personal growth and the influence of role models, I came to see that I had wasted too much time lacking compassion.
This journey has taught me that cultivating compassion—both for ourselves and for all living beings—is essential for overcoming the pervasive anxiety that plagues us. By embracing a philosophy that values non-harm, ethical living, and mindful awareness, we not only foster personal well-being but also lay the groundwork for a more just and harmonious world.
Furthermore, if Judaic laws were rewritten today, I cannot fathom how they would not restrict the wholesale destruction of animal life driven by our self-centered urge to consume. Such updated laws would not only mandate that the kill be performed compassionately but would also require ethical treatment of animals throughout their lives. To protect the well-being of our fragile society, modern kosher standards should extend to eliminating processed foods, environmentally destructive packaging, and products that dump toxins into our precious Mother Earth.
This is my one and only controversial statement: the standards of glatt kosher are too low for modern times. Dairy, a well-known trigger of inflammatory responses in the human body, should be deemed unkosher. Likewise, pesticides are unkosher, as are animals confined to unnatural conditions and treated with antibiotics to mask their appalling living conditions. Single-use plastics in the food supply—drowning us in harmful plasticizers—are unkosher. Poor food combinations and even diets like the problematic ketogenic diet should be considered unkosher. Moreover, fish caught in nets that indiscriminately kill and waste millions of sea creatures should be declared unkosher.
I have spoken with Orthodox individuals about the mitzvah of reciting blessings over food as an expression of gratitude, and it is clear that a relentless, destructive disregard for life and the planet is an affront to the Creator's blessing. Do not wait for spiritual leaders to guide us toward the light; many are entangled in the industrial food system just as we are.
One day, these manmade disasters and unhealthy lifestyle patterns will become taboos for humanity. Today, however, we sit idly by, consuming unconsciously and suffering from the ailments and anxieties they cause. Wake up. I say all this because, as a Jewish person, it is both my right and my responsibility to speak up to my fellow Hebrews and Israelites alike.
Food Taboos of Other Cultures
Food taboos have deep historical roots and are woven into the cultural, spiritual, and ecological fabric of societies worldwide. In many African tribal communities, for example, food restrictions were established to honor spiritual beliefs, safeguard scarce resources, and maintain harmony with nature. Similarly, among Australian Aboriginal peoples, strict guidelines governed the consumption of certain animals and plants—practices that were not only about health but also about honoring ancestral traditions and ensuring sustainable use of the land. Native American Indian communities also developed food taboos, often linked to religious practices, ecological wisdom, and the symbolic significance of various species, which helped regulate hunting and gathering in a balanced, respectful manner.
In contrast, the modern political and economic landscape has largely maintained meat consumption due to historical, cultural, and industrial factors. Powerful agricultural and meat-processing industries, coupled with longstanding cultural traditions, have reinforced the centrality of meat in diets around the world. These influences have made it politically and economically challenging to impose widespread restrictions on meat, despite growing awareness of its environmental and health impacts.
As for alcohol and other intoxicating substances, they occupy a different role in society. While there are regulations in place—often motivated by public health concerns—the cultural acceptance of alcohol and the significant economic interests tied to its production and sale mean that outright restrictions are uncommon. Rather than being viewed as fundamental dietary mistakes, these substances are often considered matters of personal choice or social ritual, which has allowed them to persist in modern culture despite their potential for harm.
Together, these examples illustrate that food taboos and restrictions are not merely about nutrition—they are deeply intertwined with culture, ecology, spirituality, and politics. In ancient times, food taboos emerged as health-conscious lifestyle choices. For instance, the practice of waiting six hours after consuming meat before ingesting dairy products was designed to prevent harmful, disease-promoting dietary combinations. The ancient framers of these dietary laws could scarcely have imagined the absurdities humans would create by 2025. Had they foreseen our modern hubris, they might deem 80% of our current lifestyle and dietary patterns as taboo, given their detrimental impacts on health, animal welfare, the environment, warfare, and even our collective states of anxiety.
**My views on this subject are not radical; they are simply a logical perspective for the 2020s. These opinions are my own and do not necessarily reflect those of other members of the goodsugar company family.