Showing kindness towards animals isn’t just a menschy thing to do—it’s a mitzvah!
The Jewish value of compassion for animals, is called tz'ar ba'alei chayim, in Hebrew.
Whether you have a dog, cat, iguana, fish, backyard chickens, or all of the above, the bond that children form with a pet establishes a respect for animals early on. Teaching children about being gentle when they handle their pet, and talking to them about their responsibility in caring for the pet, is an easy way to teach kindness to animals. Did you know that caring for a pet at home can help children develop a greater sense of empathy while learning about responsibility?