A Jewish Approach To Animal Cruelty

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by Zvi Kaplan

Moral and legal rules concerning the treatment of animals are based on the principle that animals are part of God's creation toward which man bears responsibility. Laws and other indications in the Pentateuch and the rest of the Bible make it clear not only that cruelty to animals is forbidden but also that compassion and mercy to them are demanded of man by God.

According to rabbinic tradition, interpreting the biblical record, mankind was not allowed to eat meat until after the Flood, although the sacrifice of animals to God had been previously allowed (Gen. 1:29; 9:3). Once permitted, the consumption of meat remained surrounded with many restrictions (see *Dietary Laws). According to the rabbis, the Hebrew word for “desireth” in the verse, “When the Lord thy God shall enlarge thy border and thou shalt say: ‘I will eat flesh,’ because thy soul desireth to eat flesh…” (Deut. 12:20), has a negative connotation; hence, although it is permitted to slaughter animals for food, this should be done in moderation.

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http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/judaica/ejud_0002_0002_0_01108.html