The Muslim world is celebrating Eid al Adha during these days, commemorating Abraham’s sacrifice of fidelity. Millions of animals are sacrificed worldwide, an enduring gastro-religious primal ritual, as fresh flesh is shared between kin and those in need. Among the voices calling for a stop to this ritual killing of animals, including insiders in the Muslim world, there are protests that also decry the enormous food waste that in fact occurs on these holy days, often in places challenged by food insecurity all year long.
Nearly 40 tons of food ends up in the trash in the United States alone each year. That’s about 30-40% of the US food supply. Imagine each person throwing 650 perfectly good apples into the trash each year.
Food - much of it edible - is the single largest component taking up space inside US landfills. It’s not much better worldwide but the US is topping the charts. Before COVID-19,an estimated 35 million Americans suffered from food insecurity, rising to 50 million in 2022 as fallout from the pandemic.
Why is so much good food wasted when it can feed all of us?
More than 80% of Americans discard perfectly consumable produce, in farms or at homes, simply because it may look blemished - or we misunderstand expiration labels.
No need to blame the bible, or religion, but perfectionism has its roots in ancient sacrificial systems, including the Semitic. Similar laws are adhered this very day in Muslim communities. Not only did Cohens have to be blemish free in the tent of time - so were the offerings: “You shall not offer sacrifice any that has a defect, for it will not be accepted in your favor.” (Va 22:20) כֹּ֛ל אֲשֶׁר־בּ֥וֹ מ֖וּם לֹ֣א תַקְרִ֑יבוּ כִּי־לֹ֥א לְרָצ֖וֹן יִהְיֶ֥ה לָכֶֽם׃
The prohibition makes sense, if we recall that the whole purpose was to elevate feelings, connect more closely with the sacred and with each other, and celebrate life’s gifts. Who wants sloppy seconds on a festive feast? The prophet Malachi, living in the Persian period, encountered this behavior with other Jewish pilgrims in the Jerusalem temple, which prompted him to protest: “When you present a blind animal for sacrifice—it doesn’t matter! When you present a lame or sick one—it doesn’t matter! Just offer it to your governor: Will he accept you? Will he show you favor?—so said the God of Hosts.” (Malachi 1:8)
If it’s not good enough for your boss or ruler, why bring it to God? And yet, is this the kind of perfectionist mindset that has us where we are - and not just in regard to food waste?
What if there was merit and value in every blemished vegetable and animal, person and people? Did not the same Creator, mother nature, birth us all, sacred, perfect as imperfect as we all are?
A modern day Cohen got the gist of this alternative modality. Thank you Leonard Cohen for reminding us to “Ring the bells that still can ring. Forget your perfect offering. There is a crack, a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in.”
Eid El Adha Mubarak to our Muslim friends and families.
Want to learn more, discuss your thoughts and feelings about Va’Yikra and Below the Bible Belt? Join me on Monday July 25th 2022, 1pm ET for our first hour long Zoom Study Session. Link here:
Once again from the musical Shul, Rabbi L. Cohen delivers the insight we need. Thanks Amichai for the reminder.
Will the session be recorded? I’m not able to attend.