Jews believe in one God, Creator of the Universe. The Jewish holy texts contained in the Torah describe how God gave Moses, a patriarch who led the children out of slavery in Egypt, two stone tablets inscribed with Laws for righteous conduct throughout life. Written in Hebrew, the Torah contains 613 commandments dictating rites of passage, conduct and dietary principles. A copy is kept in every synagogue, the Jewish place of worship. Jews wait for the coming of the Messiah who will bring peace, security and prosperity. They believe that the dead will one day be returned to life for Judgement before God. There are more than 13 million Jews worldwide, with approximately 47% living in America, 34% living in Israel, and the remainder in Europe. The Western Wall, all that remains of Solomon`s temple destroyed in AD 70, is the most sacred site in Judaism.

"Animal sacrifice in the name of religion is current practically all over the world in every established religion. It is said that Lord Jesus Christ, when twelve years old, was shocked to see the Jews sacrificing birds and animals in the synagogues and that he therefore rejected the Jewish system of religion and started the religious system of Christianity, adhering to the Old Testament commandment "Thou shalt not kill." At the present day, however, not only are animals killed in the name of sacrifice, but the killing of animals has increased enormously because of the increasing number of slaughterhouses. Slaughtering animals, either for religion or for food, is most abominable and is condemned herein. Unless one is merciless, one cannot sacrifice animals, either in the name of religion or for food."

Srimad-Bhagavatam 7:15:10

Prabhupada: "You take grains, just like paddy or wheat. These plants, after producing the fruit, the grain, automatically they die. You are not killing. So, those who are taking fruits, vegetable, grains, they are not actually killing. You take the milk... What is milk? Milk is transformation of the blood. So, cow's milk means cow's blood, but still the cow is not killed. Cow's blood is nutritious, accepting this theory. Karnish (?), karnish it is called? Cow's blood? What is the meaning of karnish (?)? But by nature's way she is delivering you the blood which is nutritious--according to your science--but why you should kill her? So any circumstances, the direct killing is not approved by any sastra, any religion. Jiva himsa. Caitanya Mahaprabhu also says, nisiddhacara jiva-himsa. So, jiva himsa, violence upon other animals, that is against Vaisnava principle. You cannot be violent, you cannot kill.

Devotee (2): "Thou shalt not kill" is one of the ten commandments which is much older than Jesus' teachings. Moses delivered the ten commandments to the people of Israel thousands of years before Jesus appeared. So they knew all this before Jesus.....

Devotee (2): They lived by the ten commandments, or were expected to, way before Jesus appeared. The ten commandments are Moses, Moses' teachings.

Nara-Narayana: They were all very much meat-eaters, though. In the time of Moses all the laws of kashruth, how to sanitary slaughter, which is supposedly given by God, these were all for meat-eating.

Devotee: That came after the Book of Misrad. Misrad recommends vegetarian....

Devotee: And also Lord Jesus says that if there is unnecessary killing of animal that "By my hand you shall be slain.". In Genesis. He is stating, "Yes, one may kill, but if there is unnecessary killing, by my hand you shall be slain." In Genesis.

Devotee (1): Also, in Genesis is says that the fruits and herbs of the land shall be your meat. It's describing how man should live and it says that fruits and herbs of the land shall be your meat.

Prabhupada: Yes, they were meat-eaters, so Jesus Christ replies that fruit should be your meat."

Srila Prabhupada Room Conversation, 12-12-71, Delhi

Bhaktivedanta Book Trust. HDG A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada.