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Theme
Jewish tradition doesn't just require that we not
inflict pain on animals, it requires positive actions
toward the animals in our care.
Talmud and Feeding Animals
The Talmud says that before people eat a meal, they have to feed the
animals in their care. (Gitten 64) The Talmud also says that before
people decide to take a work or companion animal into their home, they
must first make sure they can feed the animal properly.
Yevanot 15
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Rabbi
Naftali Zvi Berlin |
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It was
Rosh Hashanah, the New Year, and Rabbi Naftali Zvi Berlin,
head of the famous Yeshiva (Talmudic Academy) of Volozhin came
home from the synagogue. His household was waiting for him so
they could all sit down to the festival dinner.
Before he said the Kiddish (blessing on the wine starting the
meal), Rabbi Berlin asked if the chickens had been fed. When
he found out they hadn't, he insisted it be done immediately,
but the key to the barn was missing. |
After the members of the household
searched in vain for the key, Rabbi Berlin instructed them to call in
a non-Jewish neighbor to break the lock. Only after the barn door was
opened and the fowl fed would the Rabbi sit down with his family to the
holiday meal.
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Rabbi Shlomo the
Admor |
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In
Jerusalem, several centuries ago, there lived a man as great in
learning as in piety. His name was Rabbi Shlomo the Admor,
from Zuahil. Every day, Rabbi Shlomo walked on foot to the
Western Wall to pray for the handicapped and the oppressed.
Rabbi Shlomo lived in great poverty. His small hut had only a
bed, a table, and a chair, but he managed to care for many
cats in his home. The cats would lie on his bed, waiting for
him to return from the Western Wall. Rabbi Shlomo took great
care to feed all his cats properly. |
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Rabbi Yitzhak Elchana |
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Rabbi
Yitzhak Elchana, the Rabbi of Dovno and Lithuania, was very
fond of animals. His cat always sat on the back of the couch,
behind his head. A neighborhood dog regularly came to
his house during meals. |
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Rabbi Hiya bar Abba |
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Rabbi
Hiya bar Abba was a scholar during the period when great
academies were holding the discussions on Jewish law that
later became the Talmud. One day at a lecture given by Rav,
the great scholar, Rabbi Hiya could not concentrate. Rav
noticed that the rabbi's mind was wandering and asked him why.
Rabbi Hiya replied, "I'm worried about my donkey. She's
about to give birth and I'm afraid she might catch cold and
die."
Midrash Rabba |
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Pioneers in Israel |
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In the
early years of the rebuilding of the Land of Israel, pioneers
founded an agricultural society in the lower Galilee. One of
the laws of the society was "It is forbidden to leave
work animals outside in the afternoon without shelter from the
burning rays of the sun. Care must also be taken that the
animals are kept healthy and given food and water on
time." |
Return to
Lesson V
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