Simchat Torah is the celebration of completing and restarting the Torah reading cycle. What does this joyful holiday have to do with veganism? For some, the Jewish values celebrated on Simchat Torah align well with a compassionate, plant-based lifestyle. Simchat Torah immediately restarts the Torah with Bereishit (Genesis). In Bereishit 1:29, God gives humanity a plant-based diet. This reflects an ideal vision of peaceful coexistence between humans, animals, and the Earth. Indeed Veganism can be seen as a modern step toward returning to that ideal of nonviolence and harmony. Simchat Torah is about joyful celebration, with dancing, singing and community meals. Judaism teaches us that joy should not come at the expense of others (tza’ar ba’aleichayim – preventing animal suffering). Choosing plant-based foods allows us to celebrate joyfully and ethically. Other Torah values, like bal tashchit (avoiding waste) and tikkun olam (repairing the world), also support a vegan outlook. For many, the Torah is not just a scroll, but a guide for living with compassion.
As we dance with the Torah and begin a new cycle, we can also recommit to its values in practice. Consider incorporating more plant-based choices into your holiday celebrations. Let Simchat Torah be not only a celebration of the Torah’s words, but also of its deeper call to kindness, justice, and care for all creation.