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February 13, 2012
Binyamin Rose: Back to the Bunker: How a life-risking act by a Christian family during the Holocaust saved a family and built a thriving community a world away
Menachem Wecker: Business Schools Teach Real Estate Despite Troubled Housing Market
February 10, 2012
Lisa M. Krieger: Man with defibrillator demands access to his own heart's information
David G. Savage: Why activists may not be in a hurry to have High Court rule on alternative marriage
February 9, 2012
Laura McMullen: 10 Least Expensive Public Schools for Out-of-State Students
Kimberly Palmer: How to actually enjoy -- relaxing, financially -- your vacation
February 8, 2012
Warren Richey: Why momentous Prop. 8 ruling might not satisfy gay-rights groups
Menachem Wecker: Though Controversial, LL.M.'s Can Lead to Specialized Legal Jobs
The Kosher Gourmet byDana Velden: Going to the bother of making soup? You know it better be good. This CREAM OF TOMATO SOUP certainly is! And it's a cinch to make, too (Includes techinques and serving secrets)
February 7, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney, Jr.: Caught off-guard? President's Super Bowl interview with Matt Lauer gives those who need a reason not to vote for him, a darn good one
Suzanne Bohan: Leaping lizards! Tiny reptiles advancing robot design
February 6, 2012
Jonathan Tobin: Iran Threatens Israel With Destruction, But the New York Times Doesn't Hear It
Jeffrey Fleishman: In newly democratic Egypt, tens of democracy activists jailed, to stand trial; their groups are 'threatening the stability of the homeland'
Julie Deardorff : Researchers say antioxidants may not be that effective and could do more harm than good
Mark Clayton: How did Anonymous hackers eavesdrop on FBI and Scotland Yard?
February 3, 2012
Edmund Sanders : Israeli official says Iran is creating missile that could reach East Coast of US
Victoria Kim: Immigrant-smuggling ring used black drivers to avoid racial profiling
February 2, 2012
Jim Carney: Wrong number call may have saved her life
Reza Kahlili : Ex-CIA spy in Iran's Revolutionary Guard: What Obama doesn't grasp about striking deals with Tehran
Tina Susman: For woodchuck rescuer, every day is Groundhog Day
February 1, 2012
Brian Bennett: US officials see increasing threat of domestic attack from Iran
Emily Brandon: How to Take Advantage of New 401(k) Fee Disclosures
January 31, 2012
January 30, 2012
Paul Richter and Ramin Mostaghim: Misreading Teheran's limits -- deadly and economically devastating as they may be -- is a risk administration, Europe seem willing to take
Suzanne Bohan: Warning: Nap-deprived tots missing more than sleep, study finds
Meg Handley: Banks Revamping Rewards Programs to Woo Customers
January 27, 2012
Caroline B. Glick: Obama: Of course I intend to prevent a nuclear holocaust . . . in a few months
Yochonon Donn: In liberal New York City, fervently-Orthodox Jews may soon be getting a district to call their own
Jeannine Stein: An inflated ego and thinking you're 'all that' doesn't just make others sick of you, it can make you ill
Katy Hopkins: New budget rules may affect how much money you get for college
January 26, 2012
Ed Koch: To the New York Times, calling for the murder of Jews by those capable of having their incitement taken seriously isn't news
Jeannine Stein: Mental illness struck one in five U.S. adults in 2010: Report
January 25, 2012
Richard Simon: House passes two bills endorsing the use of religious symbols at military memorials
Fred Weir: Putin: Multiethnic Russia cannot survive as a US-style 'melting pot'; must find its own way
Susan Johnston: 5 Sneaky Coupon Strategies Consumers Should Watch Out For
January 24, 2012
Carol Clark: The price of your soul: How your brain decides whether to 'sell out'
Caroline B. Glick: America lost most in 'Arab Spring'. Sadly, many voters still don't grasp the extent
Warren Richey: Drug criminal scores win in GPS ruling from conservative-leaning high court
Erika Bolstad: Black conservatives gather to talk about gaining strength
January 23, 2012
Melissa Dribben: Jewish voters to play a key role in Florida's Republican primary
Jordan Rau: In quest to grow, Catholic hospital system will announce this morning its break from church
Ali Safi: U.S. envoy gives Taliban terms for peace talks
January 19, 2012
January 18, 2012
January 17, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney Jr.: No-kidding red lines: U.S. response to an Iranian nuke may be bluster, but Israel's won't be
David G. Savage: They sued their principals after slandering them online --- now the cases are headed to the Supreme Court
David Francis: Where to Invest in 2012: With stocks expected to rebound, opportunity abounds for investors
January 13, 2012
Ben Lynfield: Israeli lawmakers move to annex Jewish Judea, one museum at a time
Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz: Thriving through touch: Gentle massage helps older people with low mobility improve in mind and body
January 12, 2012
Warren Richey: Landmark Supreme Court ruling a 'resounding win' for religious groups
Warren Richey: Supreme Court says no to new rule on eyewitness testimony
John Fauber : Statins found to raise diabetes risk in postmenopausal women
Katy Hopkins : Consider This Before You Pay for an Online Degree
The Kosher Gourmet by Joseph Erdos: This mushroom and barley soup has an intense -- almost nutty -- flavor that mixes robust with Middle East. It has creaminess without cream
January 11, 2012
Shari Roan: Millions of atrial fibrillation sufferers at risk for devastating, but preventable, stroke
Tom Hussain: Pakistan -- recipient of more than $21 billion in civilian and military aid -- speeds pursuit of Iranian pipeline, defying US
David G. Savage: High court signals it won't be loosening TV's 'indecency' rules
Stephen Ceasar: Oklahoma's Islamic law amendment can't go into effect, court rules
January 10, 2012
Reza Kahlili: From an ex-CIA spy: US must exploit new split in Iran's Revolutionary Guard
Karen Kaplan: Study: Nicotine replacement products ineffective when used in real-life situations
January 9, 2012
Michael Doyle: Put through legal hell over dream home, couple fought back hard --- all the way to Supreme Court
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Jewish World Review
August 12, 2009
/ 22 Menachem-Av 5769
Some practical applications of how animals may be used to benefit man
By
Rabbi Dr. Asher Meir
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http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
Recent columns explained the religious and ethical basis of Judaism's approach to animal welfare. According to the book of Genesis, man was created in G-d's image and he was given domination over the animals, but this domination creates obligations as well as rights. Mankind is authorized to use animals for its benefit, but this very right creates obligations to treat animals in a humane way.
In this column, we will turn to some recent examples of rabbinical decisions which show how this principle is applied. It may be that there are dissenting opinions as well, but what is most important here is how the principles are applied.
Rabbi Moshe Feinstein was asked about the permissibility of raising veal. The situation as described to him in the early 1980s was one where the calf was confined to a narrow pen and fed a deficient diet so that the meat would be white instead of red. Rabbi Feinstein affirms that animals may be used for any human need, even if it involves causing them suffering, but he asserts that making the meat white instead of red is not considered a human need, insofar as it serves no valid purpose. The meat is not better tasting or healthier, so the suffering caused the calf cannot be justified.
Rabbi David Bardigo was asked about horse racing. He cites an earlier responsum by Rabbi Ovadiah Yosef in which he categorically forbids taking part in bullfights or viewing them, because of the cruelty to the bull. In fact, taking part and viewing bullfights was already forbidden by the sages of the Talmud for this very reason. (2) He acknowledges that although horse racing is not exactly comparable, because the spectators enjoy seeing the horses run fast and not seeing them be tormented per se as is the case with bullfights. However, he concludes that the spectacle of horse racing, particularly for the purpose of gambling, which is frowned upon by the sages, cannot be considered a legitimate human need. This would not forbid horse racing in and of itself, but insofar as Rabbi Bardigo considered that great suffering is caused to the horses he explains that this is not a "need" that can justify animal suffering. (3)
Rabbi Yitzchak Weiss was asked about a technique whereby hens are starved for a period of weeks, during which they suffer hunger and shed their feathers. As a result, the period of time during which they lay eggs is considerably extended. Rabbi Weiss concludes that increasing the yield of hens is certainly a legitimate human need, given that the increase is quite significant. He does however state that while the technique is not forbidden, it is proper to consider carefully if the animal suffering is truly justified. (4)
Rabbi Eliezer Waldenberg rules conclusively that using animals for medical experiments, in order to help identify the cause of disease that strikes humans, is permissible. Healing is an important mitzvah (commandment) in Judaism; using animals in a way that will help us fulfill this mitzvah is certainly proper, even if this inevitably causes some suffering to the animals.
From these responsa, we see that while mankind's divine image justifies our use of animals for our needs, even if this necessitates animal suffering, it is only justified for needs that are an appropriate expression of this image - needs that advance our service of G-d rather than impeding it.
SOURCES: (1) Responsa Igros Moshe, EHE IV:92 (2) Babylonian Talmud, Avodah Zarah 18b. (3) Responsum published by the Office of the Chief Rabbi. (4) Responsa Minchas Yitzchak X:145. (5) Responsa Tzitz Eliezer XIV:68
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JWR contributor Rabbi Dr. Asher Meir, formerly of the Council of Economic Advisers in the Reagan
administration, is Research Director of the Business Ethics Center of Jerusalem, Jerusalem College of Technology.
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