Orthodox Rabbi throws down on fur

Wikimedia Commons

Source Of Course Vegan

An orthodox Rabbi has lashed out at the use of fur for traditional head wear in the faith at an animal rights conference in Israel that was attended by top religious figures from across the world. Rabbi Pappenheim urged Hasidic Jews to stop wearing fur as part of the traditional shtreimel hats worn by Jewish men of faith.

The hats are worn on Shabbat and other special holidays.

According to Rabbi Pappenheim, wearing real fur shtreimels, each of which may be made of up to 30 sables, minks, martens, or foxes, violates the Jewish law of tza’ar ba’alei chayim, which prohibits causing animals unnecessary pain. He even went so far as to say that flaunting real fur hats amounts to Chilul Hashem, or desecration of God’s name, since the cruelty of the fur industry is so widely known.

“[W]e must stop this custom of hurting animals,” he said. “We should get to a point where people would be ashamed to wear anything but a synthetic shtreimel.”

Animal rights activists in Israel have repeatedly called for a blanket ban on the use of real fur in the hats, but have been rebuked by Jewish leaders who claim tradition and history. But with the defection of Pappenheim to the animal welfare side, it could be a watershed moment for animal rights activists in Israel, who hope to end the killing of animals for religious purposes.

Among the leading figures to urge for an end to real fur is Jewish reggae singer Matisyahu, who has also spoken out against fur and even believes it should be banned in Israel.


Click HERE for fur-free retailers (or see below) and more!

Take PETA’s Cruelty-Free Shopping Guide along with you next time you head to the store! The handy guide will help you find humane products at a glance. Order a FREE copy HERE

Want to do more than go vegan? Help others to do so! Click on the below for nominal, or no, fees to vegan literature that you can use to convince others that veganism is the only compassionate route to being an animal friend.

PETA: http://www.petacatalog.com/catalog/Literature-39-1.html

Action for Animals has a very low price : http://store.afa-online.org/home.php?cat=284

fur belongs on whom it was born,
not by the vain and frivolous,
worn.

Karen Lyons Kalmenson