Regarding your article, “Damage Control Mode for Embattled Kosher Meat Giant” (June 27), several Jewish laws and teachings strictly forbid cruelty to animals, under the code of laws known as “tsaar baalei chaim,” the commandment “to prevent the suffering of living creatures.” It should be a source of great pride to us that the Jewish people were responsible for the concept of kindness to animals almost 4,000 years ago and that it is mandated throughout the Bible and Jewish law.
Even the holiest of our laws, the Ten Commandments, requires that farm animals be allowed to enjoy a day of rest on the Sabbath. So the Almighty must have felt that kindness to animals was not a trivial matter. Significantly, the first commandments given by the Lord (Genesis 1:22-28) concern the welfare and survival of animals, and human responsibilities toward them. God’s very first commandment (Genesis 1:22) was to the birds, whales, fish and other creatures to “be fruitful and multiply” and fill the seas and the skies. His first commandment to humans (Genesis 1:28) was to “replenish the earth ... and have dominion” over other creatures.
Jews are not allowed to pass by an animal in distress or to ignore animals being mistreated, even on the Sabbath. Yet this is exactly what we do when we purchase and certify as kosher those products from animals that are treated cruelly or killed wantonly.
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