The inefficiencies, as well as all of the negative environmental impacts of meat production mentioned above, violate this commandment. While eating to sustain life is necessary, using additional resources for a meat-based diet, relative to a vegetarian diet, may be considered a violation of bal tashchit. Helping the poor, and more specifically feeding the hungry, is a basic part of our religion. For example, farmers must leave the corners of their fields for the poor. When people are hungry, they may find it necessary to fight for their survival.
Widespread vegetarianism can alleviate hunger and thereby bring more peace to the world.
From now on, whenever you think about the benefit of vegetarianism that resonates most loudly within you, try to think about the Jewish value or law to which it relates. Bring the spiritual nature of the daily act of eating to the forefront of your consciousness and you will make it holy. Before moving to the connection between vegetarianism and Jewish Renewal, I would like to briefly talk about fish, the often least objectionable of the animal foods. Before reading this essay, most, if not all, of you knew at least some of the reasons why eating red meat is harmful to you or the environment. If you have gotten this far, you now know why eating any livestock, including poultry, is harmful.