Should religion ever be above the law? That was the Big Question on BBC this past weekend at which Rabbi Yitzchak Schochet, a regular panelist on the show found himself once again engaged in a heated debate in defense of Jewish practice.
His co-panelist, renowned radio personality James O’Brian – who is a passionate liberal, insisted that such a question should never be asked of a religious person “because the answer will always be obvious.”
Schochet offered a surprising counter response by insisting that the answer is not obvious at all. Fundamental to Judaism is that religion is never above the law. Democracy means maintaining the rights and freedoms of another and religion can never contravene then lest you have all sorts of concocted religions which could spiral into anarchy.
The host, Nicky Cambell however then turned the discussion onto Shechita. “What about the slaughter of animals?” he asked, gesticulating with his hand cutting across his throat. “You’re above the l aw in how you treat animals?”
An animal welfare activist in the audience further fanned the flames when she argued that stunning animals was the only humane way of killing them and that “letting them choke on their own blood was barbaric.”
Schochet, rabbi of the Mill Hill synagpgue in London, countered that was nonsense, there is no sound evidence to support that whatsoever and that “ritual slaughter is not an example of religion being above the law, because it is within the law. If you ban meat in this country altogether then fine, Judaism and Islam will have to bite the bullet.
“But if you allow for the killing of animals then until such point as you can prove that stunning is a safer option it would be wrong for you to encroach on my rights where I am not affecting anyone or anything.”
“What about the notion of ‘one law for everyone?” Cambell asked.
“That,” said Schochet, “is the demagogic dictate of a fascist regime and has no place in a democracy.”
“You think one law for everyone is fascist?” Cambell persisted.
“If you are denying me my right to freedom of religious expression where it is not affecting you in any way, shape or form, then definitely so! I can go back to the former Soviet Union for that!” Schochet replied to applause from the audience.
practice in front of the mirror
actually he decided to leave being a shliach even though he was given the choice. He wanted to publish his stuff instead.
just another attack on Judaism?
You have your facts a bit wrong. Not that I am a big fan of S. Boteach, although I must give credit where credit is due and say that he is very gifted at what he does. But he did not at all leave Lubavitch. Lubavitch left him. He still maintains a Lubavitch home, with Lubavitch minhagim and Levush, etc. He has even been in CH on many occasions to farbreng with various groups. You might wish to argue that in your books he is no longer lubavitch because of what he might have done or not done, but it… Read more »
I think it is funny that Shochet and Boteach are on the same page. These guys used to debate with each other. Each likes their fame and do a good job at getting it. One of them stayed a shliach and does a kiddush Hashem the other left Lubavitch. But I like them both.
An admirer from afar