Dear all,
The Jerusalem Post reported this week that Israel’s Chief Rabbi, David Lau, has declared that “cultured” meat is “parve.” In other words, meat that has been produced from stem cells is considered vegetarian, and can therefore be eaten along with milk. (Traditional laws of kashrut/ keeping kosher call for a complete separation of milk and meat). This is groundbreaking, as the laws of kashrut have been a cornerstone of Jewish identity for millennia. We have yet to see how this will unfold.
While kosher originally is a term used with regard to food, it also can be used with regarding to anything that is “fitting.”
Now, while we should certainly be cognizant and interested about what we put into our bodies. my hope is that we give even more consideration to what comes out.
Are our words fit to be heard?
Are our actions fit to be seen?
Are our texts fit to be read?
Are our emails fit to be sent?
All it takes is a moment in time to consider what comes out of our mouths. Once it’s out there, it’s out there!
So let’s ensure that what we share and do abide by the laws of kashrut as well!
With love and shalom,
Rabbi Zach Shapiro
