For nearly five years, my diet has reflected my evolving identity.
After a brief vegetarian episode in the eighth grade, I reverted to eating meat for two years before making vegetarianism a permanent ideology. Recently, I took the next step and adopted a nearly vegan diet, eating milk, butter, and eggs only when they’re cooked into pasta, baked goods, and casserole-type dishes.
My reasons have varied between animal rights activism to plain disgust to guilt and back. At least several times. but never did I think that my diet would reflect my evolving Judaism.
In fact, meat-eating is not uncommon in the Torah, nor is animal sacrifice. G-d even tells Abraham to sacrifice his own son Isaac, so how can vegetarianism possibly reflect my relationship with G-d?
The more I learn about Judaism and the more I go to shul and the more I pray to G-d, the more I want to live my life “right” in His eyes and incorporate more of His laws of compassion and fairness (among others) into my everyday actions.
To me, this includes refraining from eating animal products and boycotting the violent meat, dairy, and egg industries. When I respect animals and my body in this way I chose, I feel like I’m better representing myself in G-d’s eyes.
Every day that I continue my diet, I strengthen my relationship with G-d, and every day that I practice Judaism, I strengthen my resolve in my diet.
Wilhelmina wrote...