Shamayim: Jewish Animal Advocacy

An interview with Rabbi David Rosen, former Chief Rabbi of Ireland & head of the AJC's Department of Interreligious Affairs. Rabbi Rosen is an outspoken critic of animal consumption, a leading Orthodox voice in this matter. We discuss his rabbinic argument that questions the kashrut of any factory farmed animal products, the pushback he has received from the Kosher meat industry in response, and R...

An interview with Connie Spence, founder of the Agriculture Fairness Alliance and the Vegan Justice League, a bipartisan lobbying group focused on opposing the corrupt governmental policies that allow the mega corporations that run factory farms to line their pockets with taxpayer money - while they exploit both animals and workers and decimating our country's natural resources. Get ready to be fi...

A second interview with author and friend of Shamayim, Kenden Alfond, to discuss her newly released plant-based cookbook "Feeding the Women of the Bible, Feeding Ourselves: A Jewish Food Hero Cookbook". The cookbook features a short compelling narrative of 20 female biblical heroines from the Hebrew bible, paired with two healthy plant-based kosher pareve recipes inspired by the character's experi...

A D'var Torah for Parashat Shemini. In this week's parsha, the Torah outlines which animals are permitted and forbidden from being eaten by the Israelites, concluded with a Divine statement that "You shall be holy, for I am holy." We explore that, despite the reluctant permissions of certain animals to be eaten, this holiness descends from what is not eaten, rather than what is. Recorded & edited...

A Dvar Torah for Passover 2020. Passover celebrates liberation from Egypt, understood by the mystical tradition to be a place of narrowness. And yet, in our time, we all face a place of narrowness - the narrow path we all need to walk in order to mitigate the worst consequences of the Climate Crisis. Recorded & edited by Alex Weisz "Uniq - Japan" is under a Royalty Free license. Photo of the licen...

A D'var Torah for Parashat Tsav. In this week's portion, the sacrifices introduced last week are continued, and Aaron and his sons are ordained as the priests of the Israelites. And yet, there are several fascinating verses between these two narratives that give us incredible insight into the Torah's attitudes towards animal consumption. Recorded & edited by Alex Weisz "Uniq - Japan" is under a Ro...

A D'var Torah for Parashat Vayikra. As we begin the book of Leviticus, we explore the sacrificial worship established in this week's portion. Though the idea of animal sacrifice can make us quite uncomfortable, there is a greater lesson at hand! Recorded & edited by Alex Weisz "Uniq - Japan" is under a Royalty Free license. Photo of the license: http://bit.ly/2sTETUQ Music promoted by BreakingCopy...

A D'var Torah for Parashat Vayakhel-Pekudei. After an entire book of God giving again and again to the Israelites, the Book of Exodus concludes with the Israelites finally giving in return. The gift they give in return is shockingly simple, and yet, there is so much to learn in our time from this small gesture by the Israelites after all that God has done for them. Recorded & edited by Alex Weisz...

A D'var Torah for Parashat Tetzaveh. We Jews may find ourselves asking - what does the Torah want from us anyway? This week's parsha offers us an answer from an unlikely topic: Animal Sacrifices. Parashat Tetzaveh focuses heavily on the priestly order instituted in the Torah, as well as some of the earliest commands regarding the sacrificial system - an uncomfortable topic for many contemporary re...

An interview with Shark Tank alumna Jenny Goldfarb, Founder & CEO of Mrs. Goldfarb's Unreal Deli. One of the most exciting new meat alternatives on the market today, Jenny went from creating her kosher & vegan deli meats in her kitchen for a Hanukkah party to being invested in by Mark Cuban in less than a year! Folks fail blind taste-tests all the time, so you have to try her sandwiches at a retai...

A D'var Torah for Parashat Mishpatim. This week's parsha presents laws regarding numerous topics - including animal welfare! However, the location of this law is peculiar, the meaning of which has considerably more significance than meets the eye. Recorded & edited by Alex Weisz "Uniq - Japan" is under a Royalty Free license. Photo of the license: http://bit.ly/2sTETUQ Music promoted by BreakingCo...

An interview with Rabbi David Wolpe, the Max Webb Senior Rabbi at Sinai Temple in Los Angeles. Rabbi Wolpe is among the leading figures of American Judaism, a colomnist for Time Magazine, and perhaps the most recognizable plant-based Rabbi of our time. We discuss how he navigates addressing his diet publicly and from the pulpit, some of his favorite vegan foods, as well as the optimism he feels fo...

A D'var Torah for Parashat Yitro. In this week's parsha, the Israelites receive the Ten Commandments at Mt. Sinai. Not only are animals given some pretty radical rights here, but there is foreshadowing for next week's narrative of the golden calf with a warning against idols of silver & idols of gold. We are plagued with some radical worshipers of these idols - Big Agriculture, who exploit animals...

A D'var Torah for Parashat Bo. In this week's parsha, the Israelites are commanded to be reminded of the Exodus with a symbol on the arm and between the eyes: tefillin! Tefillin are somewhat controversial in the Jewish vegan world - but are there options to minimize the impact of this mitzvah? We explore them in this week's episode. Recorded & edited by Alex Weisz "Uniq - Japan" is under a Royalty...

A D'var Torah for Parashat Vaera. The Israelites are plagued with crushed souls, Pharaoh is plagued with a hardened heart, and the Egyptians are plagued with numerous environmental calamities. All are reflections of normal human responses to our world. How can we overcome these feelings in our time, despite our overwhelming circumstances facing us? Recorded & edited by Alex Weisz "Uniq - Japan" is...

An interview with Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, Founder & President of Shamayim: Jewish Animal Advocacy. He has authored multiple books on Judaism and veganism, including "the Jewish Vegan", "Kashrut & Jewish Food Ethics" and "Jewish Veganism & Vegetarianism: Studies and New Directions." He can be found on Instagram at @rabbi_shmuly and on Facebook here. Recorded & edited by Alex Weisz "Uniq - Japa...

A D'var Torah for Parashat Shemot. Centuries have passed, and a xenophobic Pharaoh has enslaved the Israelites because he fears them. A loving mother breaks the law, and her "illegal" child grows up and becomes the greatest leader the Jewish people have ever seen. Nevertheless, Moses is an odd choice for numerous reasons - and yet, he is the one chosen to raise his voice to liberate his people. Re...

A D'var Torah for Parashat Vayechi. As we conclude the book of Genesis with this week's parsha, we take a look back at the opening book of the Torah, and how we can apply its major themes through action in our lives. True strength, as portrayed by Genesis, is needed now more than ever before. Recorded & edited by Alex Weisz "Uniq - Japan" is under a Royalty Free license. Photo of the license: http...

A D'var Torah for Parashat Vayigash. Upon arriving to Egypt for good, Joseph's brothers introduce themselves to Pharaoh as shepherds, the profession of their ancestors. Shepherds play a prominent role throughout Biblical literature - so what lessons should we as modern Jews take from this ancient profession? Recorded & edited by Alex Weisz "Uniq - Japan" is under a Royalty Free license. Photo of t...

A D'var Torah for Parashat Miketz. This week's parsha features the quiet heroism of an unlikely figure - the Pharaoh of Egypt! And no - it's not the one who you're probably thinking of. Just as we should detest the cruelty of his successor who enslaved the Israelites, we should celebrate the Pharaoh of late Genesis who makes bold, swift changes in the face of looming environmental disaster. Record...

A D'var Torah for Parashat Vayayshev. Commentators have wondered for centuries whether Joseph was genuinely righteous, or merely self-righteous. Perhaps his brother's resentment towards him can teach us how we can best cultivate a welcoming and inviting plant-based movement without drawing resentment from others. Recorded & edited by Alex Weisz "Uniq - Japan" is under a Royalty Free license. Photo...

An interview with Kenden Alfond, the author of the Jewish Food Hero Cookbook and the founder of JewishFoodHero.com. You can find Kenden's work on www.jewishfoodhero.com and buy the Jewish Food Hero Cookbook on Amazon here. Recorded & edited by Alex Weisz "Uniq - Japan" is under a Royalty Free license. Photo of the license: http://bit.ly/2sTETUQ Music promoted by BreakingCopyright: https://youtu.be...

A D'var Torah for Parashat Vayishlach. This week, Jacob faces his toughest challenge yet - and prevails. He then has his name changed to Israel, meaning literally to have "wrestled with God". In our time, the children of Israel and the rest of humanity face our most daunting opponent in history. How can we follow Jacob's lead and tackle this issue head-on? Recorded & edited by Alex Weisz "Uniq - J...

A D'var Torah for Parashat Vayaytze. This week, Jacob awakens to the glory of the world around him. We, too, must do the same for all of our world's natural resources, the majesty of God's creation. Recorded & edited by Alex Weisz "Uniq - Japan" is under a Royalty Free license. Photo of the license: http://bit.ly/2sTETUQ Music promoted by BreakingCopyright: https://youtu.be/MAiHpRUbc0k Follow Sham...