Holy Laws on Protecting the Animals - Selection from “In Front of the Blind" by Jewish Scholar Asa Keisar (vegan), Part 1 of 2

The respected Asa Keisar is an Israeli religious scholar who’s on a mission of spreading veganism all across Israel and the world. Asa Keisar is a frequent lecture in universities, elementary and high schools, and yeshivot (Jewish educational religious institutions) throughout Israel. His speeches feature statements from the Holy Torah about the incorrectness of consuming animal products, especially in our modern world. Mr. Keisar is also the author of an important Jewish guide, “In Front of the Blind,” or “Velifnei Iver Hashalem.” Through straightforward holy laws, the selection clearly shows how humans must treat all animals, namely with care and mercy. “One must also have mercy upon animals because it is forbidden to cause undue pain or anguish to an animal. The attribute of mercy is the sign of the children of Abraham, the seed of Israel. As it is written, ‘He will give you mercy, be merciful and multiply you.’” “Rabbi Joseph Albo: ‘The consumption of flesh from living creatures gives birth to spiritual corpulence, murkiness and inflexibility of the soul...’” “Metzudat David: ‘The righteous person pays attention even to the needs of their animal to fulfill its craving - because God greatly values mercy.’”