“What Goes Around Comes Around”: Prohibitions to Cruelty Against Animals in Judaism

Abstract

AbstractThere is a rich literature within the Jewish tradition, both from biblical exegesis and Talmudic and Midrashic commentary, of concern for animals. In particular, there are injunctions against cruelty that are reflected, for example, in the traditions of kashrut, of humane slaughtering. But the important message is that tradition maintains that caring for animals is a necessary precursor to caring for humans.