Why Are So Many Israelis/Jews Vegan? - Interview w/ 'Vegan Rabbi' Akiva Gersh | Israel Unfiltered 

In my personal opinion being vegan is all about respect for life, every life.

I became vegan. I met my first vegans in Israel. They referred to themselves as vegetarian because I don’t think they knew the word vegan yet. On this specific kibbutz all the vegans were Holocaust survivors. That stayed for me for years until my family moved to the US, we visited a farm, I saw the ducks being all cute and decided right there and then to become vegetarian, the first two months were pescatarian not vegetarian but I eventually phased out all animals incl. fish. Never had seafood cuz of kosher household. Then I realized that the dairy company is connected to the slaughterhouses so if you want to make an impact on supply and demand, go vegan. Ppl think it’s reduces their options for food but veganism actually forces you to try new foods from other cultures. I’ll have Chinese food one day, Indian the next then middle eastern, sometimes Ethiopian. All have plenty of vegan options. Thai food too. Veganism has expanded my diet and I feel much healthier and I urge everyone to think deeply about this. Choose life and well being of animals over your desires and taste buds and attachments to Carnism.

If all religious leaders adopted the rabbi’s mindset the world would be a much better world

I agree animals suffer so much. I’m vegetarian. I watched a movie about a animal bought, slaughtered it was heartbreaking. Never Again . Vegetable’s, Grains, Fruit. No drugs No Alcohol My life.

Kindness to all animals . Thank you for this. I hope this inspires more jewish people to adopt veganism.

We came from garden(a plant based place) and going back to the garden

Although I don't eat unclean meat I am eating more and more plant based. Very interesting video thanks for sharing.

Thank You for sharing. I am myself a vegan and a believing christian. Also ammong christians there are more and more becoming vegans or vegetarians at the same time as there are many meat-defenfending people within christianity also. I think you can give me some knowledge connected to the old testament , practicies and traditions from older times in Israel, so Thank You for this. The Israeli Animal Rights movement is a GREAT INSPIRATION TO ME, as I am also myself an animal rights activist. I guess you know about the huge animal rights marches in tel Aviv, and aboout calf 269, liberated by some israeli activists some years ago.

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. This goes for animals and all living creatures

It would be great if the guest was not interrupted so often... ask a question - let him speak

Hey Yoel - Loved this episode! One of your greatest qualities is your ability to engage people that you don't always agree with 100% in intelligent and respectful conversation and truly LISTEN. When you ask challenging questions, you seek to UNDERSTAND and not to put down. Unfortunately, this ability is really missing in our society today - everyone is in their own echo chamber afraid to engage others critically. I think it is what will make this channel successful and what has lead to your success in your other endeavors!

I am plant based 100%

As a Rabbi and fully observant, what do you about mitzvahs that involve animal processing, including tefillin, klaf for sefer Torah, zroah on the Pesach kaarah, praying to reinstate korbanot, and more? What do you do and how do you reconcile??

Shalom. Thank you, Rabbi, for your view and personal experience sharing as a Vegan. I see that for sure God has blessed you for being a Vegan for 26 years... i say this because I myself became a Vegan BY CHOICE years ago. It is absolutely a testimonial to the life saving power from God in His salvation to me.. My life is changing to be good each and every day with time since I became a Vegan. And I am so thankful to God!

Genesis 1:29 , thank you .

I really love and respect the people of Israel for their veganism and respect for non-human animals (i.e. all sentient life) - from India/USA

God bless 🇮🇱🌱💚 I am excited to visit Israel someday. I won’t want to leave & already feel homesick…

My choices over pesach were navajo blue corn meal, quinoa, chickpeas (seitan is obviously out unless we are having a supervised vital wheat gluten) and fresh fruit and veg with supervised green tea.

I always remember the story about Oliver Twist and what eating meat did. See part of the story….‘No boy in half his senses could venture to speak so to you.’ ‘It’s not Madness, ma’am,’ replied Mr. Bumble, after a few moments of deep meditation. ‘It’s Meat.’ ‘What?’ exclaimed Mrs. Sowerberry. ‘Meat, ma’am, meat,’ replied Bumble, with stern emphasis. ‘You’ve over-fed him, ma’am. You’ve raised a artificial soul and spirit in him, ma’am unbecoming a person of his condition: as the board, Mrs. Sowerberry, who are practical philosophers, will tell you. What have paupers to do with soul or spirit? It’s quite enough that we let ‘em have live bodies. If you had kept the boy on gruel, ma’am, this would never have happened.’

I found out that getting Kosher certification is why Oreos in the U.S. are vegan, so thanks for that.

I am vegan Torah observant Jewess for over 30 years, also a chef & educator. Look up Rabbi Asa Keisar an Israeli observant vegan. He has a book in Hebrew called V'Lifnei eever. He does have videos on his channel in English. There was also someone who put out an amazing documentary and I can not remember his name, but not sure if he is Jewish and Israeli, as it was one of the best ones I ever saw and I have seen quite a few of them.

Veganism is solely about the animals NOT about the environment. If ppl stopped consuming animal products for the environment, their health out anything else other than for the animals than it’s called plant-based NOT vegan

At about 17 minutes; Akiva mentions that meat was possibly introduced human diet in order to quell human lust, could this possibly be the connection between being herbivores/vegans and identifying as homosexual? Does the lack of meat increase a person sexual lust and orientation?

I ran into a problem this pesach with protein powders. I put them up separately from my sold wheat and oats -- along with my matcha, seeds like hemp flax and chia and peanut powder because when it's not a smoothie it's bread. My KFP smoothie is mango lettuce kale and banana-based. But it might help to have an appropriately supervised pea protein or muscle building supplement line.

shalom from a vegan Muslim!

Yet, there are so many who have had the jab which is definitely not vegan!

I’m still addicted to meat but I have made replacements for dairy…and I’m looking for a healthy replacement for eggs…I’m substituting little by little…spiritually I know I will be happy being vegan…I’m ver interested into Judaism…I am Christian and I’m starting to connect more with the Hebrew faith and culture

From what I’ve read, pain suffering stress and trauma create various negative chemicals and hormones in living creatures. The way animals are raised nowadays is cruel and unnatural. That’s one of the reasons I think free range grass fed beef is better for you. At any rate, the negativity these animals experience makes the lower vibration and toxic energy of their bodies brings our vibration and health down as well. The stress and pain of any slaughtered animal is cruel. Free range or not.

Many have gone and continued to eat the king’s food of the book of Daniel! And being slowly destroyed by the food daily eaten…

Kol HaKavod Rabbi Gersh! I can affirm, the Torah you taught in this video is emet.

R. Akiva Gersh...I love that you are Vegan. Such a gentle Neshema.

A vegan Rabbi, that's very interesting, I'm a vegetarian Muslim.

Even before I found out how so many Israelis are vegans, I wanted vegans to try my bake goods. I live in the US, but something is telling me to go to Israel (even though I desire to go to Norway or Finland).

Thank you for sharing, both of you. I had no idea that veganism was much of a thing in Judaism perhaps because of the strong tradition adherence. I wonder what you do at passover seder instead of the lamb bone?? Do you just miss it altogether? I myself am not vegan, but in recent years I've been not eating meat that much, maybe a couple of times a week. I do truly believe though, that part of the biblical view on eating meat and valuing the animals it comes from, is appreciating what that animal went through and how it actually died to nourish you. Meaning, I do see the value in seeing the actual slaughter and prep process. If you can't do that, then don't pick it up off the shelf and eat it..

I can’t wait to return to Israel & be with my people. Love you all

FALAFEL 🥙

Rabbi Skobac on Jews for Judaism has a whole lesson on how this is our ideal diet. I recommend

Shalom Shalom YAH KHAI, you'll should give the African Hebrew Israelite Community in Dimona Isreal the credits. The Hebrews in Dimona introduced Plant base and Vegan lifestyle to the entire Country of Israel.

Vegan doesn’t equal healthy. I avoid eating animal products but also avoid many vegan products.

Yes the sacrifices of the animals for our sins were done to show us that the wages of sin is death. Killing the animals which were raised like a part of the family and taken great care of and then having to kill them and seeing the fear and pain it caused the animals should have been enough to stop ppl from sinning. Instead ppl became desensitized and continued sinning , the reason Christ to us as a man of pure and Holy unconditional love and perfection to take the place of these animal sacrifices. God is so merciful , so forgiving , so loving and patient and long-suffering with us. We are blessed beyond our imaginations. God is so so so good. The old covenant made in exodus 24:3

I know, all those vegan products now like imitation meat, can be so over done, I don't like them, and I am gluten free. They put so much gluten from wheat in their foods. I too like to eat simply and natural whole foods. So glad to be introduced to you, Rabbi, it was so refreshing! I am studying Judaism, as I am drawn to so much of the Jewish lifestyle and way of thinking and living. I am also vegan, although I have been drinking whey in a protein drink lately, because I can't tolerate the pea protein my body rejected over time.

“The righteous man regards the life of his animal…” ( prov. 12:10)… I am a vegan who first became a vegetarian at age 19 after I came to know Yeshua as my savior…. This was in 1975. I became a vegan about 3 years ago because I have become aware of the extent of animal cruelty not only in the slaughterhouse but in the dairy industry as well…watching “ Best Speech Ever” by Gary Yourofsky on RU-vid did it for me. It is not God’s will that we disregard the life of animals …. I believe it greaves His heart to see what the food industry has become, and the suffering endured by these helpless animals.

Been switching to vegan Haven’t eaten meat(except if it’s the only thing to meat. Like at a banquet or friends house)for a long time. Meat is not good for arteries Mostly enjoyed this deeper understanding of no meat!

love it thank you

I am a vegan atheist

I am Jewish and vegan - and my decision has nothing to do with animal rights or the myth of man-made global warming. It's simply a way to eat healthy.

How many know eggs literally come out a chickens butt? Then eat meat with no seasoning or sauces and how good is it? So many alter the flavor, so only thing about the meat is texture, which can be mirrored with vegan sources. Beans and rice give a full amino acid profile as does quinoa or Amaranth.

Shalom Shalom YAH KHAI, The book of Berisheet or the book of Genesis, Genesis 1 verses 29-30.

As an animal lover and non-meat eater, I certainly find congeniality with this rabbi. I'm not so sure that elements of the laws of shechita are in place to make Jews think twice about eating animals. Judaism commands priests to carry out animal sacrifice, and then there is the symbolic korban Pesach zeruah at Passover.

I don't really see veganism in other religions, but if I do see the ahimsa aspects - it's really all along the same latitudinal region - india, china, etc. Israel is right there. With the 7 species of the torah and it being in the fertile crescent where agriculture started a really long time ago - it's no surprise that we've gotten to this culmination point of veganism.

From oregon i love u my brother!

You are on the right path

in my opinion veganism is about expecting life including Palestinian people

God BLESS the JEWS! This PRAYER Comes with a BLESSING, so SAYS the BIBLE! They didn't Chose to be the Ones to RECEIVED the Torah, ( the word of God )it PLEASED God to be SO. If you DISAGREE, than you NEED to REWRITE the Bible. Disagreeing, doesn't mean there has to be Human Blood Shed...

Great video thanks! Shalom 🙏💖

oh hey akiva i know you how did i get an ad for u

So beautiful & powerful!!!!!!!!!

Human desire to consume the flesh of another life form is a weakness of the human’s animal soul

Seventh Day Adventists have been vegetarians/vegan and studies show the SDAs live longer lives.There was no meat eating in Eden.

I hate industrialised and systematical torture of gentle precious souls. I love many plant based meats. Knowing I’m not torturing sweet souls feels great. I hate the socialised subsidised normalisation of systematic torture and animalistic gluttony.

Plant based a proper term. New agers use vegan term

What is "Kosher salt"? I saw it recently in a recipe I was following, but didn't know that salt could be either Kosher or not. I'm not Jewish so just used ordinary salt, but never realised that it was a thing.

Hi. I am the Jewish messiah, conchonga (you guys were saying it wrong but don’t worry I’m not mad). It is time to start up the garden of eden again. Our punishment is over. If you could please plant some seeds and stop mowing the lawn that’d be great. Ty

Being vegan, for me, is to feel empathy for all life, without distinction (dog, cat, pig, cow, ant...). Being vegan is to feel obliged to help and support the oppressed, the innocent who can't talk, the lives that are slaved/tortured/cut short/taken away by choosing to stop contributing and buying their products. Being vegan is to try to cause them the least suffering possible. Does your love and empathy for animals extend to human beings? I am interested to know.

Our body is the living temple of the Holy Spirit of God

Truth

Great stuff. Look at the book of Daniel. Vegetarianism right there. Also, Yeshua the Messiah was probably vegetarian based on historical writings and the rise of vegetarian Hebrew Christian societies in those days who followed Him

We were given dominion over all of the beast's of the earth, the birds of the air and the creatures in the sea not domination

23:53 That was the first thing that I noticed too!

My theory why there are so many vegans a vegetarians is, one 'traditional ' food like felafels and sabich is so good. Also, and it sounds stupid but the weather is warmer there, salads make more sense than I'm cold, rainy countries like Wales, 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 where I live. 😉 the foodthereis

15 years vegan and strong 💚

I would think it's because of kashrut laws, that you dont have to worry about mixing meat and milk.

people gave me the expectation that israel is vegan, but when I went there I was surprised that it was the opposite and in some ways way more meat intensive than the US.

Cool show!💖

Tikkun Olam is another reason why I’m vegan. Yatzha hara the evil inclination is why so many have a lust for flesh

Going vegan has its limitations specially if you are a rabbi. If you don’t believe it go to Genesis 1:29-30 In there we could see what kind of vegetables are for mankind and what kind is for the beasts of the wild. If you choose not to listen to the scriptures of the Torah then it doesn’t really matter what you eat.

Leviticus 3:17 “‘This is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come, wherever you live: You must not eat any fat or any blood.’”

Dont forget to specify that judaism is a rabbis invention. A man made oral tradition religion. "IHVH made plants for meat", Genesis, is enough information for me.

I prefer to say plant based. Veganism is new age terminology.

There's a great band on u- tube Jewish Messianic Alliance Israel.

I have a question for the Rabbi! What 12 tribes are the Jewish people that is in the land today come from? 🔥 1 Thessalonians 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

Edom was desolate. So they took Israel when my people went into captivity via slave ships 🚢 (Deuteronomy 28:68) Edom also said these 2 countries will be mine. Those 2 countries are Judea and Samaria. They took Judea in 1948 via the Belfore declaration. Then in 1967, they took Samaria during the 6 day war. Fulfilling prophecy Son of man, set thy face against mount Seir, and prophesy against it, and say unto it, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O mount Seir, I am against thee, and I will stretch out mine hand against thee, and I will make thee most desolate. Because thou hast said, These two nations and these two countries shall be mine, and we will possess it; whereas the LORD was there: therefore, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will even do according to thine anger, and according to thine envy which thou hast used out of thy hatred against them; and I will make myself known among them, when I have judged thee. And thou shalt know that I am the LORD, and that I have heard all thy blasphemies which thou hast spoken against the mountains of Israel, saying, They are laid desolate, they are given us to consume. Thus with your mouth ye have boasted against me, and have multiplied your words against me: I have heard them. Ezekiel 35:2‭-‬3‭, ‬10‭-‬13 KJV Edom has everyone deceived believing they're the Biblical Jews. God exposed them using the prophets. But I have made Esau bare, I have uncovered his secret places, and he shall not be able to hide himself: his seed is spoiled, and his brethren, and his neighbours, and he is not. Jeremiah 49:10 KJV

Seems many of you will be denying the Promise Land when the Kingdom resides on Earth as it is in Heaven Prayers to you and yours 🙏🏼

LOL 🙃 LOL PLEASE PRAY 🙏 THAT MY HUSBAND WILL NOT EAT ANY MEAT

Aren’t the large furry hats made from bear skin/fur?

Yeshua is the Messiah, He is the King of Israel, He is the Chosen One of God. Yeshua Is the One who was prophesied in Isaiah 53. Yeshua willingly came to die for our sins and He rose again in three days, He died for everyone to receive forgiveness of sins and that you may enter into heaven, but that is only if you accept Him. He He said He was sent to the house of Israel. He came to seek and to save those who were lost. Yeshua is the only way to heaven, He is the way the truth and the life. The only way we can be saved is by faith in Him, not by works, only by trusting in Him as your Lord and Savior. Yeshua is coming back and His feet will stand on the mount of olives and He will judge everyone according to their deeds. Look into His life and ask God with all your heart to show Him the truth. Yeshua is the Messiah, He fulfilled all of the Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah.

Why did you stop killing animals like for the Passover and the other Feast Days

baruch hashem

Genesis 1:29 the fruits and the vegetation are the meat you shall eat, both pork and beef is Haram 😁

🍀🌿🌱🌳

I'd really like to know what the rabbi eats, as I can't do just whole food - meat analogs give the right protein that lacks the anti-nutrients (which I know some are good, but not all) of whole foods. It's easier to absorb

I know that we stoped because the Veil Ripped

Is am find out tho👀

Hi, Not clear as to why you are vegan, feeling for animals? Animal industry etc? As a protest? Or because it is ossur, because of the tzar balei chaim. 1. Ever min hachai is 1 of the 7 noahide laws. 2. Simcha with Meat and Wine, whilst acc to most the meat refers to sacrifices, there is still a mitzvah to eat meat (biblically, rabbinically or customarily). 3. Al titash torah Imecho, many times a minhag can be as strong as a biblically law. 4. Before Noah people were vegan, and because they were vegan the world was becoming corrupt... (many different approaches to the episode). 5. When moshiach comes, they may be a few sources saying ppl will become vegan, most sources are the opposite, we will be able to eat even non kosher meat... in addition to the large meal of eating the Shor HaBor. Especially as there won't be issues of not treating animals nicely. Anyway, just do more mitzvahs - From G-D, (not man made), and bring Moshiach then we can ask all the questions and discuss this topic with Eliyahu Hanovi and G-d Himself

The answer to the question they are more intelligent. Hope they take pity on the rest of us.

What nonsense is that, about vegetarian: this is a problem with the people who want to control others. Since I was a child I heard vegetarian, and that means, that a vegetarian diet is base on fruit and vegetables. Now, when we before now Vegetarian wanted to identify a person who was 75% vegetarian they will say the appropriate word to say, I eat eggs or fish or cheese. The vegan people ow want to change that and have vegetarian think they are not vegetarian if one is not vegan!! WE vegetarian are not vegan, we don’t think like you; and now we have to say, we are plant based. And the controls is on and on and on. You need to know God as He is to call yourself Jewish.

Bc it protects one. That that is of blood animal can be eaten by another. Keeps us safe. Not eating animal also protects the mind.

please stop the hype and stop the lies. stores literally run out of meat chicken and fish on all the major Jewish holidays and we are not going to even mention yomazmaut...

As long as Israelis are eating well is it my business??

But didn't H' give us animals to eat? For that is their purpose. Which to eat Kosher which is a non painful death. We also believe in reincarnation have this in mind when the animal gets killed i believe the souls move on