DO TORAH TEACHINGS JUSTIFY ANIMAL EXPLOITATION?
Richard H. Schwartz, Ph.D.
Many apologists for the exploitation of animals seek justification in scripture, but their presumption is largely due to the misunderstanding of two important Torah verses that, when properly conceived, actually endorse the struggle to improve conditions for animals.
The first misunderstanding is that the Torah teaching that humans are
granted dominion over animals (Genesis 1:26) gives us a warrant to treat them in whatever way we may wish. However, Jewish tradition ...
