Tending our garden

Genesis depicts us as stewards of God’s creation, responsible for using it’s sources in a responsible way. We are told to be respectful of our environment, prevent waste, and to take care not to cause unnecessary suffering to animals.  Shorashim considered two scenarios, one in which no one took care of anything in the world, and one in which everyone took care to look after everything.

Anafim began to consider the mitzvah of ‘Tzaar Ba’alei Chaim’ – not causing unneccessary suffering to animals. Framed as a negative responsibility, the Anafim thought about the positive responsibilities that this entailed when we bring animals into our domain. They concluded that when it comes to pets or working animals, we are in control of their lives and so we have extra responsibilities towards them, as ignoring their needs becomes an act of cruelty.