Kashrut

KEDUSHAT LEVI ON PARSHAT NOACH The verse which states "Take for yourself from all that is edible" is said in the language that implies one who feeds others. This is explained in the Midrash which states, "The woman that was given to me gave me (fruit) from the tree (and I eat)." The past tense, I ate, was not used in the verse. The Midrash teaches a general rule that through eating,a Jew eats in the manner of fixing the flaw of Adam HaRishon that was made through his eating. This fixing is done by way of the mitzvot that Jews do when eating, which are blessings said of one's food and other blessings said in regards to food before consumption. Therefore, the reason why the verse says "I eat" and not "I ate" implies that an element of Adam's original eating continues to this day. Thus through the consciousness of our eating, we can repair that which was flawed before. 1. How does this text impact your "eating consciousness?" 2. How might eating consciously connect us to Adam HaRishon? 3. Does this make sense to you?

-------- GENESIS 2:15 -------------------------------------------------------- Translation Original The Eternal One placed the human being in the Garden of Eden, to till it and to tend it   .... Suggested Discussion Questions What does this text suggest about our relationship to the land?  To its ability to provide food?

-------- LEVITICUS RABBAH, 3:1 ----------------------------------------------- Translation Original A person who has a vegetable garden; who fertilizes it, tills it, and sustains themselves from it, is better off than a person who rents as a sharecropper. As the proverb says, “One who rents one patch eats birds, one who rents many patches – birds eat him.” [Translation by AJWS] טוב מי שיש לו גינה ומזבלה ומעדרה ומתפרנס ממנה ממי שהוא נוטל גנות של אחרים במחצה במתלא אמרין דאגר גינה אכל צפרין דאגר גינין צפרין אכלין ליה .... Suggested Discussion Questions 1. Why is it better to grow your own food on your own land rather than rent land from another person? 2. Is it fair to apply this text to people today? Why or why not?

-------- ECO-KOSHER, RABBI ZALMAN SHACHTER-SHALOMI --------------------------- Original I invented the word eco-kosher, to say that something is ecologically kosher. I'll give you an example of eco-kosher. The regular kosher way is about the dishes that mustn't be contaminated, etc. If I pick up a cup to have coffee, styrofoam would be the best thing to have. It hasn't been used before and after I drink from it, I'll throw it away and nobody else will use it. From the usual kosher place that's the direction to go...but in comparison to waht will happen to the planet by my drinking in a styrofoam, I'd much rather make the other choice...eco-kosher. .... Suggested Discussion Questions 1. What is your understanding of Reb Zalman's approach to kashrut? 2. What is the difference between Jewish food ethics (eco-kosher) rather than just food ethics (ecological eating)? 3. Why eat in a "Jewishly" ethical way?

-------- JERUSALEM POST INTERVIEW WITH R. HASKEL LOOKSTEIN AND R. YITZ GREENBERG, MAY 3 2008 ----------------------------------------------- Original Q: In 1971, you were the only Orthodox rabbis to declare that non-union lettuce and grapes should be regarded as non-kosher and you urged Jews to boycott them. What is the basis in Judaism for that position? R. Greenberg: We were both students of the Rav, Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik. From him we learned the idea that Halacha is not just a list of ritual dos and don'ts, but a comprehensive worldview that applies to everything that happens around us. The Torah prohibits the exploitation of workers- so why shouldn't that apply to migrant farm workers picking lettuce or grapes? They were being mistreated, so it was natural for us to apply the principle of non-exploitation to their situation, too. It seemed obvious. .... Suggested Discussion Questions How does this text interact with Reb Zalman's definition of kashrut?

-------- JERUSALEM POST INTERVIEW WITH R. HASKEL LOOKSTEIN AND R. YITZ GREENBERG, MAY 3 2008 ----------------------------------------------- Original Q: In 1971, you were the only Orthodox rabbis to declare that non-union lettuce and grapes should be regarded as non-kosher and you urged Jews to boycott them. What is the basis in Judaism for that position? R. Greenberg: We were both students of the Rav, Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik. From him we learned the idea that Halacha is not just a list of ritual dos and don'ts, but a comprehensive worldview that applies to everything that happens around us. The Torah prohibits the exploitation of workers- so why shouldn't that apply to migrant farm workers picking lettuce or grapes? They were being mistreated, so it was natural for us to apply the principle of non-exploitation to their situation, too. It seemed obvious. .... Suggested Discussion Questions How does this text interact with Reb Zalman's definition of kashrut?