Animal Love

For the past 13 years, my husband Dan and I have been blessed with living with two small rescue dogs, Hope and Josie. Born in an animal shelter to a mother who had been abandoned three days before giving birth to five puppies, they were all rescued by the non-profit Wagging Dog Rescue, with the help of a foster family. Although we had originally intended to adopt just one dog, we gave a home to both puppies, because as Dan said, “When we’re out, they’ll always have each other.”

In contemporary society, the ethical treatment of animals is an important consideration, not only among animal rights organizations, but for anyone with a compassionate heart. The Jewish laws regarding animals are rooted in compassion. We are obligated to avoid anything that causes tza’ar ba’alei chayim (the suffering of living creatures).

The Torah is remarkably specific on this point:

“Six days you shall do your work, but on the seventh day you shall cease from labor, in order that your ox and your donkey may rest…” —Exodus 23:12

“When you see the donkey of your enemy lying under its burden and would refrain from raising it, you must nevertheless help raise it.” —Exodus 23:5

“You shall not muzzle an ox when it is threshing.” —Deuteronomy 25:4

“You shall not plow with an ox and donkey together.” —Deuteronomy 22:10

One of the reasons given for the Jewish dietary laws (kashrut) is to avoid causing any unnecessary suffering to animals. A shochet (kosher butcher) uses traditional methods of slaughter that are rapid, designed to minimize the suffering of the animal.

Since Biblical times, the ethical treatment of animals has been mandated by Jewish law and part of the fabric of Jewish life. God entrusted humans with their care, and it is our obligation to treat them with dignity and compassion. It’s a mitzvah!

If you are considering adopting a pet, please consider rescue organizations and animal shelters first. There are volunteer opportunities at local animal shelters for dog walkers or pet cuddlers. There are many ways each of us can bring companionship and caring to the animals in our community.