My future mother in law would like to have veal served at our wedding. However, from what I have learned veal is raised in an inhumane fashion, different from other animals. They are raised in small crates unable to move nor lay down to sleep and are only fed milk. This method apparently keeps the meat soft and tender which is the so called delicacy. I would like to know if kosher veal is also raised in this manner and if this method is actually considered kosher.
Mazel Tov on your forthcoming marriage! May you and your fiance have much happiness with each other, and build a true Jewish home that will bring pleasure to your family, our Nation, and to G-d!
Thank you for your interesting question. You are correct that some veal is raised in an inhumane way, and to raise animals in such a way is a violation of our Torah’s prohibition of causing unnecessary suffering to animals. Consequently, even if such meat might technically be considered Kosher, it would be immoral and improper to purchase it from our Torah’s standpoint, as this would .be considered aiding others (the veal raisers) in this transgression.
However, veal which has been raised in this way is not considered Kosher, as many of them are found to be sickly and have lesions on the lungs after being slaughtered, which make them unfit according to Kashrut standards. Therefore, veal which is raised to be slaughtered under strictly Kosher supervision are raised in open fields and are fed feed like other animals. Experts claim to be able to tell the difference between Kosher/ naturally raised veal and the other kind, because the Kosher veal is not as light. At any rate, if the veal is strictly Kosher, you can assume that the meat was not raised in inhumane conditions. However, it can’t hurt to ask the caterer to make sure that the meat is naturally raised, as this is certainly available. (Who’s paying the bill anyway? Right?!)
Take care,
Rabbi Aaron Tendler