Responsibility of Human Dominion over the Animal World
What Does This Mean?
When using the meat of certain types of animals for food, God commands that, during the process of slaughter, one must wait until the animal has ceased to live. Thus, as we see, God requires us to recognize the connection of the animal to its spiritual dimension—to the soul that animates it. This connection ends at the moment when the heart finally ceases to supply the body with blood. The law of the Torah teaches that this commandment applies to land mammals and birds, and in its broader sense it instructs us to treat the life of all creatures with respect, not allowing ourselves to act with cruelty toward them. Kindness toward any living being does not permit causing it unnecessary suffering.
However, we may look deeper still. The connection between the spiritual and the physical is expressed in the category of angels, which have “the face of a man, the face of a lion, the face of an ox, and the face of an eagle” (Ezekiel 1:5–10). Is it coincidental that we are commanded to approach with sensitivity the consumption of domestic animals (represented by the ox) and wild animals (represented by the lion), as well as birds (represented by the eagle), while the consumption of human flesh is always forbidden?
From the Preface by Dr. Joe M. Regenstein, Professor of Nutritional Science at Cornell University, to the section on the prohibition of eating meat from a living animal in The Divine Code, Part IV:
One of the Noahide Laws, known in Hebrew as Ever Min HaChai (“a limb from a living animal”), prohibits eating meat taken from an animal while it is still alive. This boundary is established for every person, and its necessity is evident in light of the biblical permission granted to humanity to exercise dominion over animals. Moreover, it reflects God’s concern for the welfare of animals. It should be emphasized that humanity’s responsibility for the well-being of animals includes the broader obligation to avoid causing unnecessary pain or suffering to living creatures, which excludes inflicting harm upon an animal without valid reason.
In short, no animal may be treated with cruelty. And, of course, by showing such concern for animals, the Jewish Scriptures teach that mistreatment of a human being is all the more unacceptable.
Many of the issues currently discussed regarding animal welfare—relating to slaughter, preparation for slaughter, and the waiting period until the animal’s death after slaughter—also find their answers in the Divine Noahide Code. It serves as a primary source of guidance for consumers, experts, and regulators within the modern meat industry. The Noahide Code requires all of us to improve the treatment of animals—both in agricultural settings and in populated areas—and, most importantly, in showing compassion toward animals when they are used for food. The study of the Noahide Laws can help a person address these issues while adhering to contemporary animal welfare standards and at the same time observing the ancient and ever-relevant principles of Ever Min HaChai.
Biblical Sources
God first permitted the consumption of meat to Noah and his family after they left the Ark. At that time, God added the seventh commandment, forbidding the eating of flesh taken from a living animal (even if it was unconscious and in a state of shock). This commandment, given to Noah, is recorded in Genesis 9:4: “But flesh with its soul, its blood, you shall not eat.”
Certain Details and Principles
Adapted from the Table of Contents of the prohibition of eating meat from a living animal in The Divine Code, Part IV:
- The prohibition applies to mammals and birds.
- The prohibition of removing meat from an animal that is alive or in the process of dying.
- The consumption of such meat before and after the animal’s death.
- Deriving benefit from meat taken from a living animal.
- Limiting the causing of suffering to a living creature.
- The prohibition of mating different species of animals.
- The prohibition of grafting different species of fruit-bearing trees.
Selected Laws of the Prohibition of Eating Meat from a Living Animal, from The Divine Code, Part IV:
- In Bereishit 9:2–3, God permitted Noah and his descendants to kill any animals in any manner for the purpose of using them as food. However, a person must show compassion toward the animal and kill it in the least painful way possible, for humanity was not granted unlimited permission to cause suffering to living creatures. Moreover, a person must distance himself as much as possible from cruelty.
- Nevertheless, Noah was forbidden to eat meat taken from certain animals while they were still alive. This commandment (Bereishit 9:4) refers to meat separated from these animals while their soul is still in their blood, that is, while the heart still sustains the circulation of blood within the animal. This prohibition applies only to mammals and birds. It is only with regard to these animals that the Torah distinguishes between flesh and blood.
- There are a number of logical explanations that could serve as a basis for this prohibition. For example, obtaining such meat is very likely to involve causing the animal significant pain. Furthermore, such an act is regarded as cruelty—a trait that every person should strive to avoid. However, it is specifically the Divine words, “But flesh with its soul, its blood, you shall not eat,” that establish the prohibition against consuming any flesh removed during the lifetime of those animals to which this command applies.
