יום ו Date: 25 Nissan, 5774 (4/25/14) – Beitzah#26 {Tani}

ANIMAL-LOVERS

[26a top] Gemarah: If a Bechor (first-born) animal falls into a pit, the owner may worry about “tsaar baalei chayim” (causing pain to living creatures) and want to remove it to help it [aside from the fact that he/she may want to consume it later].

T’s lesson: We should be careful to be kind and considerate to all of G-d’s creations. We are not allowed to be cruel (or cause unnecessary pain) to animals. It may be that is why we have such stringent laws about shechita (slaughtering) [about how the knife needs to be perfectly straight and cutting is exactly required at the spot on the throat which is the least painful and induces the quickest death so as not to cause excessive pain]. If an insect is suffering, there is an idea to kill it rather than prolong its inevitable death. Additionally, we must even feed our pets before we sit down for a meal.