Human Rights

Jewish tradition teaches that justice is not only a moral value but a divine commandment. We are obligated to build a world rooted in righteousness, compassion, and equity—values that extend to every aspect of life, including our food system. Yet, industrial animal agriculture perpetuates injustices that harm workers, low-income communities, and future generations.

The Torah calls upon us to act:

“Proclaim liberty throughout the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.” (Leviticus 25:10)

Liberty and justice cannot be reserved for the privileged few; they must extend to all—human and non-human alike. Yet, factory farming thrives on exploitation, depriving individuals of their rights, dignity, and access to basic needs. As Jews, we must ask: How can we proclaim liberty when our food system is built on oppression?

Food Deserts & Nutritional Inequality

“Take good care of your souls.” (Deuteronomy 4:15)

Access to nourishing, wholesome food is a fundamental human right. Yet, industrial animal agriculture plays a significant role in the creation of food deserts—areas where fresh, healthy food is scarce or unaffordable. Rather than investing in sustainable plant-based foods that could nourish more people at lower costs, our food system prioritizes heavily subsidized meat and dairy, leading to:

• Higher rates of diet-related illnesses like heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure, particularly in low-income and marginalized communities.
• Limited access to affordable fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in neighborhoods dominated by fast-food chains and convenience stores.

The Torah commands us to protect our bodies and our health, yet millions are forced into dietary patterns that harm them due to systemic food injustices. As the Talmud states:

“One who has sustenance and does not care for themselves is considered to have spilled blood.” (Bava Kama 91b)

When we allow an unjust food system to persist, we are complicit in its harm.

Exploitation of Workers & Communities

“You shall not rule over him with rigor.” (Leviticus 25:43)

Factory farming is not only cruel to animals but also to the workers who slaughter them. The meatpacking industry is notorious for dangerous conditions, where:

• Low wages, long hours, and high injury rates are the norm.
• Many workers—often immigrants and people of color—face unsafe environments with little to no legal protections.
• The psychological toll of killing animals daily leads to high rates of PTSD and emotional trauma.

Beyond the workers, surrounding communities suffer as well. Factory farms release pollutants that poison water supplies, contaminate air quality, and degrade local ecosystems. This disproportionately affects rural, low-income, and Black and Brown communities.

The Torah commands fair treatment of workers:

“The wages of a laborer shall not remain with you overnight until morning.” (Leviticus 19:13)

Yet, today’s meat industry thrives on wage theft, workplace abuse, and neglect—violating not only modern labor laws but the ethical foundations of Jewish tradition.

Climate Change & Global Food Security

“Justice, justice shall you pursue.” (Deuteronomy 16:20)

Animal agriculture is one of the largest contributors to climate change, deforestation, and water depletion. As climate disasters increase, they disproportionately impact the most vulnerable—farmers in drought-stricken areas, families displaced by extreme weather, and entire communities facing food shortages.

• Rising temperatures make it harder to grow crops, increasing food scarcity.
• Factory farming wastes resources: It takes 16 pounds of grain to produce just one pound of beef, while millions go hungry.
• Deforestation for animal feed destroys ecosystems, harming biodiversity and accelerating global warming.

The Jewish response is clear: We are commanded to care for the earth.

“The earth is the Lord’s, and all that is in it.” (Psalms 24:1)

“When God created the first human, He took him and said: ‘See My works, how beautiful and praiseworthy they are. Take care not to corrupt and destroy My world, for if you do, there will be no one to repair it after you.'” (Midrash Kohelet Rabbah 7:13)

If we continue down this path, we are violating the sacred responsibility entrusted to us by the Divine.

A Jewish Vision for a Just Food System

The Jewish commitment to justice compels us to confront the human rights violations embedded in industrial animal agriculture. The Prophet Isaiah (1:17) calls upon us to:

“Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; defend the orphan, plead for the widow.”

Our food choices must reflect this mandate. By supporting plant-based initiatives, advocating for fair labor practices, and ensuring food justice for all, we can fulfill our Torah’s call to “proclaim liberty” and “pursue justice.”

What Can We Do?

• Support plant-based food systems that are healthier, more sustainable, and more just.
• Advocate for workers’ rights in the food industry.
• Push for policies that reduce food deserts and make fresh, plant-based foods accessible to all.
• Educate our communities about the intersection of food, justice, and Jewish values.

Join us in creating a food system that upholds human dignity, protects our planet, and aligns with the highest Jewish ethics.