- Genetic engineering of food is neither
right nor wrong. Rather, it is an ability given to us by the Creator. Like
most things, it depends on how we use it. In what way would the Creator
desire of us to use it, and in what way would the Creator desire that we
not abuse it?
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- Some people's involvement in the growth
and production of food is limited to the financial gain resulting thereof.
Therefore, such individuals or groups have no ethical boundaries imposed
upon what they will participate in. They fully disregard the possibility
that their actions could result in danger to the earth or to its inhabitants.
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- There are people who are conscious of
being responsible in their actions and consequently eat in a responsible
manner. Eating in accordance with the nature of a person's own body and
in accordance with the local climate and geography is acting in a responsible
way.
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- Still, another group of people has more
heightened consciousness and are able to perceive of the spiritual aspects
of the food they eat. In fact it has been known for thousands of years
that foods effect us physically, spiritually, emotionally and mentally.
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- "The Almighty prescribes dietary
structure for those who have a future, others may eat anything" (Midrash
Rabbah Leviticus 13:2). "A person should have the intent that their
body be whole and strong in order for their inner soul to be upright, so
that it will be able to know G-d' (Maimonidies [1135-1204] Mishnah Torah
- laws of personality development 3:3). "A small hole in the body
creates a large hole in the soul" (Maggid of Mezritch [1698-1772].
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- All these elements must be taken into
account when genetic engineering occurs. When a gene of one type of organism
is spliced haphazardly into DNA of a dissimilar organism and combined with
a big artificial boost, it then becomes a Dovor Ha-maamid and is Mefa-afeyah
Bekooloh. What this means is that the action is invested with the intention
to change the whole food. The effect of this intention then spreads throughout
the entire food. Therefore even though the act is microscopic, its effect
cannot be nullified on any level.
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- The world was created in a state of fullness.
Adam and Eve were totally connected with the Creator and the flow of creation.
When they consumed of a "mixed fruit" they immediately sensed
an impact in their physical and spiritual self. The Ari zal, a famous Kabbalist
[1534-1572] explains mixed fruit of good and bad to mean protected and
unprotected energy. As a result, Adam and Eve felt as if they had fallen
spiritually and were unprotected physically. They became imbalanced. Had
they not consumed of the mixed fruit, the world would have remained balanced,
since the Creator desires to take care of every aspect of creation in a
natural and balanced way.
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- Mixture creates desire when people use
the energy of combined sources. If the desire is directed contrary to the
way of the Creator in creation, it leads to confusion and ultimately destruction
in all creation. However, if the desire is guided in the direction that
the Creator wishes it to go, then the opposite occurs and it strengthens
creation.
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- According to the Zohar (vol. 3, p.86b)
it is forbidden to combine two foods that have different source energies.
Such a combination does not allow each individual food to express its full
power because the combination limits some aspects of each individual food.
This is the meaning of the word kelaim from the root kela meaning imprisonment.
By making the mixture, each aspect or component of the mixture is unable
to fully express itself.
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- A person who attempts to create such
unnatural mixes denies the power of the one who created it. This is a form
of idol worship (Tziyuni). By doing so, such a person also seems to be
dissatisfied with G-d's creation in its natural state (Rabbeinu Bchaya).
Rabbi Yehudah said, "Elokim made each thing corresponding to another.
Whatever was made on earth corresponds to what is in heaven. All things
below are a symbol for that which is above" (Zohar 2, 15). That which
we do in the physical has a direct effect upon the spiritual. When we mix
foreign energies in the physical we cause a mixture of corresponding energies
in the spiritual. A further reason for this caution is given by the Ari
zal. If a soul is transient (reincarnated) in an improperly combined food
mixture, then the mixture can have a detrimental effect upon the soul.
In addition to the prohibition of changing the order of nature, there is
also an affirmative commandment to guard one's health. By mixing foreign
foods, people can become allergic to the foreign matter e.g. becoming sick.
Furthermore, by breaking down natural borders, the natural defenses of
a food type weaken, opening it up to new diseases. (For further details
see Zohar 2:15-16, 3:86b, 3:215b; Tikkunei Zohar tikkun 66-67, Ramban,
Rokeach, Rikanti, Sifsei Kohain, Gur Aryeh, Tur, Tzemach Tzedek and other
Torah commentaries).
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- Regarding the planting of food, the energy
of the person planting, the time of the day and the day of the month, all
these have effects on the energy of the food. Planetary planting, which
is planting, cultivating and harvesting by the signs of the zodiac, or
"natural astrology", is well known to those who use a farmers
almanac. When using a geo-centric calendar meaning it uses the earth as
the center of the universe, the work is balanced and the resulting product
grows to full strength. When using a heliocentric calendar, which uses
the sun as the center of the universe, the resulting product does not grow
as well. This indicates that planting and harvesting should be done in
accordance with the rhythms of nature, this being a natural occurance.
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- While plants do not have the same nervous
system as human beings, they do have what could be termed natural feeling;
in fact, every creation has feeling. Consequently, the feelings of the
feelings of the person working with an animal or plant have a direct impact
upon its growth. Similarly, the feelings of a person who is involved in
food preparation are absorbed in by the food and then later ingested by
a person who consumes it.
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- The Zohar (2:260a)states, that for a
person to mix one food with another they must understand how to make the
combinations, and at precisely what moment to combine the energies, so
that the new creation can be properly balanced. This is called Maaseh Merkavah.
It is apparent that caution needs to be taken by a person who haphazardly
combines different food sources. However, one who knows how to combine
them is open to the energy of the future. The details in the Zohar, which
are not translated or explained here, give clear direction as to how to
correctly participate in genetic engineering.
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- Also, there are foods that are ossur,
meaning that the energy of the food is tied down and therefore pulls down
and blocks the spiritual level of the person eating it. To the contrary,
there is food that is muttar, meaning that the energy of the food is free.
The latter type of food can both be elevated and elevate the energy of
the person eating it.
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- We are presently in preparation to become
open to the sense of creation as it was before it became imbalanced. When
this occurs we will no longer have to be concerned about foreign combinations
because everything will be visibly connected with one Creator. When individuals
can directly and physically connect with one Creator, the need for present
day "authorities" on such matters, as genetic engineering will
no longer be needed.
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- The essence of a matter is what determines
the ultimate, eventual outcome. Each created entity has a unique quality
as an individual as well as being a part of the total energy of creation.
We have the ability to mix energies in accordance with the balance of creation.
Unfortunately, we also have the ability to distort the essential balance
of creation.
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- In conclusion, food consumption has both
a physical and spiritual value. Each food has its spiritual source, and
we must therefore be diligent and precise when combining aspects of different
foods. While an improper combination will create physical and spiritual
imbalances in an individual, a balanced combination will result in a physically
and spiritually strengthened person.
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