A Step Further in the 'Sandle Wearing Tofu Eating Pinko Leftist Community'

I finally made a decision and became vegetarian.
I have a story to tell before I explain why.
Over 17 years ago I attended with my parents an RSGB convention (Reform Synagogues of Great Britain), this was when I was Reform (obviously).
It was the closing lunch and I ate some beautifully prepared spring chicken. After this scrumptious meal the lady sitting next to me asked me if I enjoyed my meal.
I was very impressed with this lady's politeness and attentiveness to my wellbeing and replied in the affirmative. She then said;
'I 'm sure the chicken's did n't'.
And I thought 'what a self righteous thing to say'.

Last week I became vegetarian I did it because I do n't like causing animals distress. I have double standards though, even though fish have a highly developed nervous system, the brain of a fish is a lot less developed than that of a mammal or bird. Yes, I am discriminating on the basis of intelligence, no I do n't believe that this means that I would eat people in a persistent vegetative state or the readership of the Sun newspaper(I do n't think that they'd be very appetizing). Most of this decision is based on my own feelings and my own lack of ability to separate the concept of a live animal in my mind and food. I can't eat chicken without thinking of actual chickens, it kind of 'creeps me out' to eat them.
I do n't believe that I have the moral high ground, I think that I should really start treating my own species in a better manner before I move on to working for the greater good of all animals ( not that I really know what that is, I gather from my study of Torah that it has something to do with serving the greater human goal of getting closer to Hashem).
I believe that I am doing the right thing, I do n't think that everybody should be a vegetarian. I approve of Shechita (ritual slaughter), which I witnessed two weeks ago, I think that it reduces the amount of suffering and that it is the way that Hashem commanded the Jewish people to slaughter. I can't wait until I have the problem of eating Karbonot (animal sacrifices), this will mean that the Moshiach is here, and things will be different. I have consulted my Rav about being a vegetarian, Rav Hirshfeld (my Rav), did n't seem to think it was a question of Halacha, rather a matter of personal preference. He did n't really think it was a 'question'.

There are more than two types of people, but two kinds of people are unhelpful.

Those who growl in a bestial manner 'MEAT!', and when you tell them you have become a vegetarian act as if you just suggested some kind of perverse sexual act or stealing valuables from an old lady. They will claim that there is a fourteenth article of faith; and that the Rabbinic statement 'Ein Simcha bli basar veyayin' (There is no joy without meat and wine), means that you have to force yourself to eat meat and be happy about it, even if it distresses you. Atkinson's diet was a 'godsend' to such people, it legitimised their desire to eat more red meat than anybody could digest in a lifetime.
These people are my friends, I love them very much, I wish they would keep their immovable principles on my lifestyle to themselves.

Those who have a new set of beliefs based on pure self righteousness. They wake up on their straw pallet in the morning put on their simple clothes made out of earthenware so that no plants were hurt (plants emit warning chemicals when felled, they feeeeel, they experience why kill them?) and put on their trademark martyr sandals. They save five dying Africans before breakfast and then talk in a very loud voice about those HORRIBLE PEOPLE WHO HURT OTHER BEINGS FEELINGS, LOOK AT HOW BETTER I AM.
I am nearly one of these people.


I just do n't like eating meat.

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