Today we continue with a bit more of Jewish Ethics (Derek Eretz 1:6 ).
''Love all creatures, and respect them.''
The Torah contains many passages regarding the fair treatment of animals. For example, two animals that differ in strength must not be forced to pull the same wagon, because the smaller animal cannot keep up with the larger (Deut.22:10). We are forbidden to prevent an ox from eating while it works in the field (Deut. 25:4). Animals are allowed to partake of the produce from fields that lie fallow during the Sabbatical Year (Ex. 23:11).
Animals rest on Shabbat, as humans do (Ex. 20:10); we cannot ask the dog to fetch the newspaper on Shabbat. One who races pigeons cannot serve as a witness in a trial (Sanhedrin 24b–25b).
The Talmud beautifully illustrates Jewish spirituality with the instruction to feed our animals before we feed ourselves. We can get our own food; our animals cannot (Berachot 40a). The Talmud also tells us not to purchase an animal until we buy its food and prepare a place for it to live. One of the kindest commandments in the Torah is to move a hen away from her nest before taking her eggs (Deut. 22:6–7).
Although Judaism is not a vegetarian religion, we learn in Genesis 9:3 that humankind was vegetarian until after the Flood. When we read the Torah, Talmud, and Midrash, and see how horribly humans treated each other and their farm animals, we understand Judaism doesn't say that vegetarianism alone makes one a better person.
From the Midrash we learn that in the Messianic Age, humans will become vegetarian again (per Rav. Avraham Kook, based on Isa. 11:6–9), but will not be vegan. We will live in a sukkah shalom, a dwelling of peace, made from the skins of the Leviathan. We actually say a prayer to this effect on the last night of Sukkot: Kein ez'keh l'shanah haba'ah leisheiv b'sukat oro shel Liv'yatan—May I merit next year to dwell in the sukkah of the hide of the Leviathan (Talmud Bavli Tractate Sukkot).
We will continue with more of this verse next month.
Rabbi Arthur Segal is an international lecturer, author, and teacher. Visit him at www.JewishSpiritualRenewal.org . Follow him on FaceBook at 'Arthur L Segal', on Twitter at RabbiASegal, or his blog at http://rabbiarthursegal.blogspot.com . Email at RabbiASegal@aol.com .
THE HANDBOOK TO JEWISH SPIRITUAL RENEWAL: A PATH OF TRANSFORMATION FOR THE MODERN JEW
A SPIRITUAL AND ETHICAL COMPENDIUM TO THE TORAH AND TALMUD
GREAT IS PEACE: A MODERN COMMENTARY ON TALMUD BAVLI TRACTATE DEREK ERETZ ZUTA
THE PATH AND WISDOM FOR LIVING AT PEACE WITH OTHERS: A MODERN COMMENTARY ON TALMUD TRACTATES DEREK ERETZ ZUTA AND RABBAH: VOL. 1
LOVE PEACE AND PURSUE PEACE: A MODERN COMMENTARY ON TALMUD TRACTATES DEREK ERETZ ZUTA AND RABBAH: VOL. 2
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