Q&A: Killing Animals
Killing Animals
Question
Hello Rabbi,
I’ve seen in several places that you argue there is value in not causing suffering to animals, but there is no value in not killing animals (except for needless destruction, with an asterisk that perhaps there is some virtue in not having to resort to that).
Isn’t there an a fortiori argument here? If suffering is problematic, isn’t it obvious that killing is also problematic?
I see murder as the maximal expression on the axis of encounter with the other, and suffering as one point on that axis.
I’d be glad to understand your view better.
Thank you
Answer
I don’t accept that conception. In my view, murder is not an extreme point on the axis of suffering. Not at all. One can kill without any suffering.
The prohibition of murder stems from the value of life, and animals do not have intrinsic value in their lives, unlike human beings. By contrast, there is an obligation not to cause suffering to a living creature that feels pain. Not because of its rights, but because of my own duties.
Discussion on Answer
From the same source that taught me that human life has value and that human beings have rights.
On what basis did you conclude that animals’ lives have no value, unlike human lives?