It's been mentioned on this podcast a few times now - Chaz is Vegan. And while he has gotten a few raised eyebrows for his dietary preferences, he has tried to explain the Jewish implications of it. Coming short in elaborating on how it works with Jewish law, he went to the expert.

Rabbi Akiva Gersh, branded 'The Vegan Rabbi' teaches Chaz the ins and outs of navigating the vegan diet through the laws of kashrut. Citing the Torah, Gersh debunks multiple rumors and gives context to the Jewish approach to enjoying plant-based food.

00:00 Introduction

06:02 Approaching Kashrut for the first time

07:59 Veganism simplifies adherence to kosher laws

10:40 Navigating veganism

13:14 Veganism and using animal products in rituals

18:52 Ancient practices: using every part, reducing waste

21:47 Animal sacrifices were 1/3 of Jewish history

26:56 Jewish vegan advocacy

31:04 Tikkun Olam

34:51 Major Rabbi's insights on veganism

37:25 Navigating restaurants

40:11 Committed to kosher vegan lifestyle

About Rabbi Akiva Gersh:

I grew up in the U.S. eating lots of meat, barely any vegetables and with a very weak connection with Judaism. By time I was in high school I felt that Judaism was archaic, irrelevant to the world (and my life) and, most tragically, uninspiring.

During my first year in college I had many realizations about the negative impact we modern-day humans are having on the world through our seemingly innocent everyday actions. By the end of that year I decided to major in Environmental Studies and became vegetarian (after a childhood of eating lots of meat and no veggies).

The following year I became vegan at the age of 19 and continued my studies as well as my activist work trying to inspire positive change.

Around that same time, I began to discover teachings in the Jewish tradition that related to environmental ethics and animal welfare. I was absolutely in shock. I never knew that Judaism focused on these issues and, yet, I saw that it has for thousands of years.

This inspired me to look deeper into my Jewish roots which turned into a journey that lasted a few years.

Eventually, that journey led me to studying Torah in a yeshiva in Tzfat, Israel and it is there that I fell in love with and deeply connected to the Jewish path of life.

After about six months in Tzfat I returned to the U.S., continued my yeshiva studies and began my work in the field of Jewish Education, a field I continue to work in today over 20 years later.

Over the years, in addition to other subjects and topics, I have taught about the connection between Judaism and the environment, animal welfare and veganism to thousands of students through classes, courses and workshops.

Along the way, in 2003, I got married and in 2004 my wife Tamar and I moved to Israel where we continue to live with our four kids.

My formal studies include a BA in Religious Studies from Brown University, an MA in Jewish Education from Yeshiva University, and a rabbinic ordination from Yeshivat Sulam Yaakov in Jerusalem.

Connect with Rabbi Akiva Gersh:

www.AkivaGersh.com

YouTube: @akivagersh

IG: @veganrabbi

FB: The Vegan Shull

SPECIAL THANKS TO THE SPONSOR OF THIS EPISODE:

JEWISH BIG BROTHERS AND BIG SISTERS OF LOS ANGELES!

Become a big today! JBBBSLA.org/mentorship

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